High school students

Glossary

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• Adjustment factors (previously bonus points)

  Numerical adjustments to your ATAR that can increase your selection rank and your chance of receiving an offer to study at university. You may be eligible for these points through initiatives like the Year 12 Subject Scheme, or if you're an elite athlete/performer, live in a regional or remote area, or have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage.

• Admission pathway

  If you don’t meet the requirements for direct entry into UTS, admission pathways offer an alternative route into your chosen degree. For example, you could complete your first year of study in another UTS course; complete a diploma at a VET provider; pursue a pathways program with UTS College, Jumbunna or Unistart; or complete relevant work experience, preparing you to re-apply to UTS with some more expertise under your belt.

• Admission scheme

  A process that can increase your chances of receiving an offer to UTS. Admission schemes consider a range of life circumstances that might shape your application, such as academic performance in specific HSC subjects, interest in certain study areas, identification as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, or educational or financial disadvantage.

• Assumed knowledge

  In some degrees, you’ll be expected to have an understanding of certain topics, theories or concepts before you start your studies. UTS offers a range of introductory units and bridging courses if you don’t have the assumed knowledge you need for your chosen course.

• ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank)

  A number between 0.00 and 99.95 that shows your academic ranking compared to all the students in your age group across New South Wales. Most unis (including UTS!) will consider your application based on something called your selection rank, which combines your ATAR with any adjustment factors you’re eligible for to give you an overall university entrance score, rather than on your ATAR alone. Your selection rank may differ from university to university depending on the adjustment factors you receive at each institution.

• Current school leaver

  Someone applying to university who completed Year 12 in the year prior to intake. For the 2026 intake, this is someone who completed Year 12 in 2025.

• Non-current school leaver

  Someone applying to university who did not complete Year 12 in the year prior to intake. For the 2026 intake, this is someone who did not complete Year 12 in 2025.

• Non-recent school leaver

  Someone applying to university who is not considered a recent school leaver. This is usually someone who has commenced higher education studies after finishing Year 12 or who completed Year 12 three or more years prior to starting university.

• Recent school leaver

  Someone applying to university who completed Year 12 in the two years prior to starting UTS and who has not commenced higher education studies since high school (this includes all students applying to UTS straight from Year 12, as well as students who take a gap year prior to applying for admission).

• University Admissions Centre (UAC)

  Tertiary admissions centre that receives and processes most university applications across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.