If you didn't meet the course prerequisites, or you missed the ATAR selection cut-off, there’s often other ways to help you to reach your goals when formal pathways aren’t available.
There’s more than one way to start your degree at RMIT – even if you don’t have an ATAR or a formal pathway isn't available. Whether you’re transferring from another course, applying with a Diploma, or backing yourself through strong results in another undergraduate degree, it’s worth exploring your options.
Whether you’re shifting direction, missed the cut-off or taking a different path in life, here are some other ways to get started on your degree of your dreams.
Use a different qualification
You may be eligible for entry into a bachelor degree based on previous study – even if it’s not a formal packaged pathway.
In most cases, that includes:
- Any diploma or advanced diploma: These can give you a selection rank for many bachelor programs.
- A certificate IV: This may meet the minimum entry requirements for some degrees.
- Another higher education course: An associate degree, a bachelor degree in a different field or even a few completed university subjects.
Your subject history and results obviously have to meet the academic entry requirements for the new course.
Start here, transfer there
Let’s say you didn’t get into the course you wanted – or there’s no clear pathway you can see. Starting in a different course can get you where you want to go.
Here’s how that works:
- Enrol in a related course, eg. Business instead of Law, or Design instead of Architecture.
- Complete a few subjects (and do well in them).
- Apply to transfer into your preferred degree after one or two semesters.
- Rejoice.
This approach still requires you to meet the prerequisites (such as maths or chemistry), but it lets you build a competitive academic record that can boost your application. If your original course shares content with the one you want to be in, you might even receive credit toward your new degree.
Sit the STAT
If you haven’t completed Year 12 or don’t have recent academic results, you could be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). This is an alternative entry method based on general academic aptitude.
You can use STAT to meet entry into specific RMIT courses if:
- you’re 19 years or older on January 1 in the year you’ll start studying
- you’ve been out of high school for at least 2 years
- you have no other study or work experience that meets the entry requirements
- STAT is listed as an option in the entry requirements for your chosen course.
STAT may help you meet English requirements or give you a rank for selection, but you still need to meet course-specific prerequisites separately (such as science subjects or portfolio requirements).
Already studying at RMIT? You’ve got an edge
Once you’re an RMIT student, you can apply directly to transfer into a different course using your internal student status. The same rules apply – entry is still competitive, and you have to meet the prerequisites – but the application process is faster and often simpler.
Where to check
To find out what options are available for your chosen degree:
Visit the course page
Each course has its own specific entry requirements and admissions information - you will need to visit the course page to read up on the specifics for that degree.
Scroll to the Entry requirements section
You can find specific details for your chosen course in the 'Admissions and Entry requirements' section of each course page. If you haven't already checked if there are Pathways into the course, this information can be found just below.
Check requirements information
Look under headings such as Minimum academic requirements or Selection criteria. That’s where you’ll learn whether your existing qualifications, study history or STAT results can be considered.
