Applying to University
Students have a tendency to leave things to the last minute. That’s generally a bad idea as it leaves insufficient time to properly consider the various options.
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Make careful note of the application deadlines
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Put aside blocks of time for researching different degrees and tertiary education providers
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Keep a folder on your computer where you can save relevant information for your decision
If applying for on campus accommodation, realise that it is often heavily oversubscribed. This means getting your application in as soon as possible after they open. Every year some students think about accommodation at the last minute and are shocked to find out that applications have already closed or that they have no chance of being accepted because they left it way too late. Despite the crazy prices charged for university run accommodation, it is still incredibly popular.
Applying to university in Australia
For Australian students, they will normally not apply directly to the university. Instead, they will apply through the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre. Essentially each state has its own admission centre which processes applications on behalf of the universities and other higher education providers. Be sure to check out their websites to get the latest information and deadlines. New Zealand citizens who want to study in Australia should also apply via these centres.
For those in Tasmania the University of Tasmania handles applications directly.
| Name | Area | URL |
|---|---|---|
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre |
VIC |
vtac.edu.au |
Universities admissions centre |
NSW / ACT |
www.uac.edu.au |
South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre |
SA / NT |
www.satac.edu.au |
Tertiary Institutions Service Centre |
WA |
www.tisc.edu.au |
Applying to university in New Zealand
New Zealand universities accept applications directly.
Applying as an international student
For international students the process is different. Check the website of the university you are interest in for more details. Some universities may let you apply directly. Others will only accept applications through one of their agents. While some agents are well informed, others are not. For this reason it is always a good idea to research specific degrees yourself and independently confirm any important information.