Did your ATAR result give you a sinking feeling? Don’t stress. Even if you missed out on your first preference uni course, you can still make your dream career a reality.
While there’s a stack of pressure on students to hit that high ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) and get accepted into their number one course right away, the reality is that there are loads of learning pathways leading from school to your ultimate job. In fact, 42% of students who started uni in 2023 used criteria other than their ATAR to get in.
So, what do you do if your ATAR is lower than you needed?
Firstly, cut yourself some slack! You’ve just finished high school, earned your SACE and survived the pressure of a few big years of study and exams. Give yourself a pat on the back.
While your ATAR does help tertiary education providers decide on the admission of prospective students to courses, there are other ways in if you didn’t initially meet entry requirements for your first preference course.
Here are some of the top alternative pathways that could help you get back on track towards your dream degree:
Study at TAFE
Starting your tertiary training with a TAFE SA course could give you credit towards entry into selected South Australian uni courses. This option is worth exploring because you can start out at TAFE in your chosen field, then use your credentials to transfer over to an equivalent uni course. Plus, TAFE offers a huge range of courses in high-demand fields including business, education and hospitality, so there’s lots to choose from. An extra bonus – you can often study at TAFE much closer to home.
Work experience
Tertiary study isn’t the only way to learn. In fact, a lot of people often find they learn more in a practical setting. That’s where significant and relevant workplace industry experience comes in. Think about who you know through your local networks – is there a workplace in the Murraylands, Riverland or Fleurieu that you’d love to eventually work for? Take a chance and ask them about work experience opportunities.
Bridging degree
Need to study at uni, but didn’t get into your ultimate degree? Let us introduce you to a cheeky little sidestep called the ‘bridging degree’. Use the ATAR you do have to apply for a related degree with a lower entry requirement. Then, once you’re in, work hard in your first year and use your academic transcript (grades) to internally transfer into you first choice.
Foundation courses
A lot of unis run foundation courses (sometimes also called enabling or entry pathways courses). These give you the skills needed for tertiary study. So, once you’ve completed one of these courses, you can apply to transfer into your dream degree. One of the most popular alternative pathways into a Flinders University degree is their Flinders Foundation Studies. This four-month preparation course is at no cost to students and helps you gain eligibility to more undergraduate courses.
Another excellent foundation course is CQUniversity’s Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies program (STEPS). In as little as two terms, you can gain eligibility for almost any undergraduate course at CQUniversity. With flexible study options (full-time or part-time) you can easily balance your uni prep with part-time work and sport.
We know there’s a lot to consider here, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed or need a little help choosing your next step, get in touch with one of our student advisors. They’re across all the alternate pathways and can work with you to workshop the best options to steer you closer to your ideal study field and career.
Wherever you want your study and career to take you, the Murray River Study Hub and Fleurieu Study Hub are here to help you begin your journey. Our student advisors have helped plenty of young people in your situation get on the right track towards their perfect job.
