NKSK

Can anyone tell me if the system for access to Australian universities (assuming citizenship), is the same as the UK?

i.e. you can - assuming that you have the necessary high school qualifications - go to any of the universities even if they are not in your state of residence?

Or does there exist some kind of state subsidy which makes attending any of the other universities in the country financially prohibitive?

Apologies in advance if I have to bump this up later as I've just realised that most of the people who may be able to answer this will have gone to bed!

Sue from Manchester

As I understand it, you can apply to any university you like but I think you apply via that State's organisation. Like, here we have UCAS that covers the whole country, there they have a mini UCAS for each State. I believe the fees charged (for permanent residents and Australian citizens) are determined nationally so shouldn't change according to the State. Would be interested in any info on this though as we are going through this process soon.

NKSK

bumped....!

bondipom

The universities setup the system to give residents of the state slightly better access skewing the access conditions towards that states high school testing system. As uni fees are higher and longer established here more students study whilst living at home so tend to goto a nearby uni. There is nothing stopping someone studying interstate.

JAJ

And Australian citizens get access to fee-assistance/discount schemes that are closed to PRs (although PRs still pay just domestic fees - not international ones).

A good reason for older teenagers to pursue citizenship even if parents can't be bothered - Australia allows 16-17 year olds to become citizens even if the parents don't.


Jeremy

renth

Don't PRs now have to pay their fees upfront too.

JAJ

That's what I meant. If Australian citizens pay fees upfront, they get a discount. PRs do not.

Or Australian citizens can defer payment.

As noted, teenagers can address this problem by pursuing citizenship independently of parents once they turn 16 and meet the normal requirements. DIMIA usually expect a parent to countersign the application of a 16-17 year old but don't expect the parent also to be a citizenship applicant (or already a citizen).

Jeremy

NKSK

Any idea of how much better access? Significantly? Doesn't this mean that good universities will miss out on the 'best' high school graduates because they are not local?

bondipom

There are so many courses with different access requirements and different demands. How do you compare HSC results from one state to another and then to international exams? Something like law at Sydney Uni is hard enough to get into in the first place. There are different pass marks for those paying different fee levels so the unis are missing out on the some of the best anyway. The classless society here is a myth.

merlotsmum

Sorry to resurrect this one but does anyone know if you have an "Access to Higher Edcuation Certificate" that allows you to start a degree course in the UK, is this accepted over in Oz by the Uni's? Do they prefer A Levels?

I have tried to search this on the Forum but coming up blank.

Thanks in advance.

MMum

merlotsmum

Bumping, any takers?

MMum

seang

From what i have read (NSW) then I would have to say A levels.

If you go to , say, UNSW take a look at the entrance requirements for overseas students(regardless of residency status) and you will see a list of the overseas exams that they will take as equivalent.

Sam

If you contact the HE college where you took your Access course they should be able to either
a) give you how many points the course is worth or
b) pass you on or advise you who can give you this advice

Enrollment to Uni is on a points basis ie. 1 A level = so many points

2 A level = so many points etc

Access is worth points i'm still waiting for my access course points, although i have been accepted into a UK uni (part time) and turned down 3 uni places (full time) I originally looked at uni in Oz (as our way in) and was told to apply any way! with a transcript of my course (available from college)

Good luck!!!! hope that helps (sort of any way)

Welshie

I did an access to Nursing in the Uk in 2003 and have been accepted into a NSW Uni to do a bachelor degree as a mature student. I applied to three and got accepted into two. All depends on the Uni, some do some don't. I e-mailed about 5 to ask and 4 replied positively and said they accept a UK access and just to apply and they will decide from there. Most of the Uni's do their own access course too with no formal admission requirements.

merlotsmum

Thanks so much for your feedback.

MMum