There are many pathways into higher education. If you don't get what you want, there are other options. You could go to TAFE first, then university or the university might be able to put you in a bridging course. This is where they give you a small amount of units to complete in one year - it gives you the skills and knowledge that boost your ATAR score.
When you’re deciding where to go next, it can be helpful to look at how other people have done it.
VET (Vocational Education and Training) is a great option for those who want to gain skills that are relevant for the job market. If you don’t know what you want to do or if there are no VET courses in your area, TAFE is also a good way of gaining practical skills and experience in a field that interests you.
If none of these options appeal, there are bridging programs available through universities as well as Special Entry Access Schemes. This means that if your ATAR isn’t quite high enough but you have some relevant qualifications or experience, they may let you through anyway!
Special Consideration & Compassionate Grounds: If none of these options appeal then perhaps it might be worth considering applying under special consideration or compassionate grounds – however this doesn't apply everywhere so make sure before making any decisions!
If you're not sure what to study at university, or if your school doesn't provide the course you want to do, then TAFE might be a great option. At TAFE, you can get skills and knowledge that will improve your chances of getting into university. For example:
You can learn more about the subjects that interest you by studying them at TAFE first. This means that once you get into uni, it will be easier for you because your knowledge is already built up!
If there aren't any courses available in the specific area of study that interests you, going to TAFE first may allow access to these courses later on in life when they become available again (a roundabout way).
If you do not get enough ATAR points to get into a course, speak to your school careers advisor or the university. They might be able to put you in a bridging course which is designed for students who have taken different subjects during their schooling.
Bridging courses are designed so that they give students a head start when they begin their degree. This helps them complete their degree faster and more efficiently than if they had started out with no knowledge of the subject matter at all!
They might be able to put you in a bridging course.
This is a short course that helps you get into a degree. You can do it at TAFE or university, and it usually takes one year to complete. It gives you the skills and knowledge that will be required for your degree, but also boosts your ATAR score by as much as 10 points—which means that if you get an ATAR of 65, for example, taking a bridging course could bump up your score to 75 or above!
This is when you complete a small number of units over the course of one year. It gives you the skills and knowledge you need but also boosts your ATAR score.
These courses are usually quite expensive, so it's important to keep this in mind when deciding if they're right for you.
If your ATAR isn't high enough to get into the university or course of your choice, this may be an option worth considering.
If you don’t get what you want, there are other options. You can apply for a bridging course or another university, or even change your degree. Or maybe you need to work for a year and then go to university later on. Don’t stress out too much – there are always options!
So, the next time you are feeling down and out because you didn’t get into University, remember that there are other pathways to take. For example, you can go to TAFE first then go onto university or you could do a bridging course at your school and boost up your ATAR score!
All Tutors