How your teen can get into uni without an ATAR 

The perfect exam score isn’t the only way into a uni course. Your teen may be wondering how to get into uni without an ATAR, without even realising that some of the university pathways provide more benefits.

The perfect exam score isn’t the only way into a uni course. Your teen may be wondering how to get into uni without an ATAR, without even realising that some of the university pathways provide more benefits.

As a parent, you may have heard of unscored VCE or Vocational Major (VM) study options and wondered how they would impact your teen's tertiary study journey. If your teen completes high school without an ATAR, it’s not the end of the line for their uni aspirations at RMIT!

It may seem like another hurdle in the challenge of applying for university, but understanding your teen’s options can be quite simple if you know what’s out there. Help your teen discover how to get into uni without an ATAR by exploring what’s offered at RMIT.

Three students talking in an spaceous lounge

Option #1 for getting into uni without an ATAR: Pathways

One of the best ways your teen can land their dream degree, if they aren’t eligible with their ATAR, is through a university pathways option.  

Pathways are alternate ways into a course that require the completion of a hands-on certificate or diploma (also known as a TAFE course) before your teen can transfer into their dream undergraduate degree. Not only will a uni pathway give your teen a way into university without an ATAR, but it’s also a chance to gain additional skills along the way.

There are university pathways options for a great number of courses and field. If this sounds overwhelming, there’s no need to worry because you can browse RMIT’s pathways quite easily with our handy Pathways Finder. 

Option #2: Vocational study

A great alternative to an undergraduate course is vocational study, also known as TAFE. For those who are looking for a tertiary education option that is more aligned with a certain trade or skillset, vocational options may be perfect. 

These courses vary in length, some as short as six months, and others taking up to two years. As Australia’s largest dual-sector university, RMIT gives your teen some great opportunities in vocational study, from working in practical, hands-on work environments to building a dynamic skillset that will see them achieve their future career goals. Depending on the course they are interested in, your teen could even take advantage of our Free TAFE options.

A young student using a grinder on stool frame in a workshop

Option #3: An apprenticeship or Certificate II

Apprenticeships and traineeships are a particular type of vocational option that might appeal to your practical-minded teen.

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine training and employment, normally over three to four years. They’ll learn the skills and gain the experience they need to kickstart their career, all while earning money in an apprenticeship like Youth Work or as an electrician. 

If your teen wants to learn in a classroom environment before their apprenticeship, they can also study a Certificate II (also known as pre-apprenticeship) which lays the groundwork for their future.

Apprenticeships and traineeships empower students to take that first step into industry, and RMIT can help your teen get there with the RMIT Skills and Job Centre.

Option #4: Alternate entry schemes

Depending on your teen’s exact situation there might be an RMIT equity access scheme or program that applies to them. These opportunities range from Early Offer programs to regional adjustments.  Explore all of the options to find out if your teen is eligible for equity access.

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The Early Offer program allows students to use their experience outside the classroom to help them secure an early spot in an associate or bachelor’s degree at RMIT. This experience is considered alongside their ATAR and can allow them to gain entry into a course on a lower score.

If your teen applies for an early offer before the end of the application acceptance period in mid-September and they are accepted, they can go into their exams with the reassurance that some of the pressure has been taken off getting perfect results.

Early Offer applications close 15 September 2024, but they will reopen in 2025.

RMIT's Schools Network Access Program (SNAP) is one of the ways that RMIT ensures a diverse and inclusive student population.

The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase access to tertiary study for students from partnered schools by giving them priority entry to RMIT courses. If your teen goes to a SNAP partnered high school this means that they may have a higher chance of being accepted for study at RMIT.

With so many ways into RMIT, your teen is sure to land their dream degree. If you’re looking for more information about non-ATAR options, university pathways and everything in between, you’ll find everything you need on the RMIT unscored VCE and VM page.

Story: Jacob Johnston

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