University opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities, higher earning potential, and the chance to explore your interests in greater depth.
It’s where you can build specialist knowledge, gain real-world experience, and develop valuable skills for life and work. But getting into university doesn’t look the same for everyone—and it doesn’t have to.
Your Pathway to University Starts Here
There are multiple pathways that can lead you to a university degree. Whether you're aiming for an ATAR, completing a VET qualification, or exploring portfolio and preparation programs, there’s a route that matches your strengths and circumstances. Some students take a traditional academic path, while others follow more flexible or practical options that still result in a university offer.
No matter where you're starting from, there’s more than one way to reach your goal—and this page will help you understand all the options available.
A student’s Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is determined based on their performance in ATAR courses and final examinations. To be eligible for an ATAR, students must complete at least four ATAR courses. For many students, these academically rigorous courses offer the strongest preparation for university-level study.
To be considered for university admission as a school leaver via the ATAR pathway, students must:
- Fulfil the requirements for the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- Meet English Language Competency, as specified by each university, through one of the following:
- ATAR English
- ATAR Literature
- ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) with a scaled score of 50 or higher
- Achieving the minimum standard in the written component of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- Achieve an ATAR high enough to gain entry into their chosen course
- Meet any course-specific prerequisites or additional entry requirements
Schools provide Year 12 students with guidance and support in understanding the university application process and the entry requirements for undergraduate programs.
Some students are eligible for an ATAR adjustment. Adjustments increase a student’s rank due to factors such as:
- performance in Year 12 subjects
- living or attending school in a certain area
- being first in a family to attend university, or
- eligibility for Educational Access Schemes.
A student can have different selection ranks for different universities. For more information, visit:
Students can use VET qualifications to meet the minimum entry requirements of a range of undergraduate courses. Usually applicants have successfully achieved a WACE, completed a qualification at Certificate IV level and met English Language Competency.
For more information, visit:
- Curtin University
- Edith Cowan University
- Students can use a Certificate III and English language competency to apply for entry into ECU UniPrep courses.
- Murdoch University
- Students can use a Certificate II in General Education for Adults or Certificate III and English language competency to apply for entry into Murdoch’s OnTrack and FlexiTrack programs.
- University of Notre Dame, available for most courses except Law, Physiotherapy and Education.
- University of Western Australia.
There are dedicated pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to enter university. For more information, visit:
- Curtin University for a number of enabling courses to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students meet the requirements for their chosen course.
- Edith Cowan University, to access support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students choosing a university entry pathway.
- Murdoch University for the K-Track enabling program, a free course enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders starting out with tertiary education or looking for a change in direction.
- The University of Notre Dame, to access a number of opportunities and alternative entry pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study Medicine.
- The University of Western Australia, for Indigenous study opportunities which includes the Aboriginal Orientation course and Provisional Entry scheme.
University preparation or enabling courses are designed to prepare students to qualify for a range of undergraduate courses. These courses focus on the skills required for university level study such as research, writing processes and numeracy.
For more information, visit:
Students may be considered for entry into specific undergraduate courses based on a portfolio that showcases academic achievements, qualifications, capabilities, and suitability for tertiary study. For more information, visit:
- Curtin University for the portfolio entry which is available for a range of humanities, science, business and health science courses.
- Edith Cowan University allows for consideration for entry to an undergraduate course through an assessment of your ability to succeed in higher education based on a portfolio of evidence.
- Murdoch University allows access to most courses with a selection rank of 70, except for Nursing and Laboratory Medicine.
- UWA allows for application to a select number of undergraduate bachelor’s degrees using a combination of academic achievements and life experiences.
Students who have experienced exceptional circumstances during senior secondary schooling, that has adversely affected their Year 11 and 12 study, can seek undergraduate admission to Western Australia universities. Applicants may apply for special consideration through the Tertiary Institution Service Centre (TISC).
For more information, visit the TISC.