Selection methods: cut-offs and other requirements
You probably know by now that if you want to get into tertiary education, you will have to fulfil the entry requirements of the course you are interested in. However, what you might not know about is the range of different selection criteria that may be used for different courses, as well as for different students.
Most tertiary courses set a minimum level of education or competence that students will require to be eligible for the course; for example, completion of Year 12. However, a number of additional selection tools and methods are used to screen applicants who have — and even some who haven’t — met the basic requirements. These can be divided into two groups:
Standard selection methods
Also known as: standard entry criteria, standard entry, standard admission.
The most common methods and tools used to select students, whether they are school leavers or mature age students, are as follows:
Cut-off scores
Do they apply to you?
|
Higher education |
Yes, most courses |
VET |
No |
School leavers |
Yes |
Non-school leavers |
No |
How do they work?
If you are leaving school and going to university, the minimum score you will need to get into a course is usually called the 'cut-off'. The ‘cut-off’ score usually represents the supply and demand for a course; the more popular the course, the higher the score.
Sometimes cut-offs can be lower than what you originally expect if demand is low. There can sometimes be three or four rounds of offers before the course is filled. Also remember that cut-offs for the same course vary widely between institutions. Moral? Shop around. Cut-offs also change from year to year, and you can never tell in advance exactly what they will be so have a go.
Prerequisite studies
Do they apply to you?
|
Higher education |
Yes, some courses |
VET |
Yes, some courses |
School leavers |
Yes, but alternatives available |
Non-school leavers |
Yes, but alternatives available |
How does it work?
Some courses require successful completion of a particular subject, and maybe even a particular score. However, if you have not completed prerequisite studies as part of your schooling, there are ways around it. Sometimes relevant work or life experience will be taken into account (particularly in the VET sector) and there are usually ‘bridging’ courses available so that you can complete the relevant subject before you apply or begin your course.
Interviews and supplementary information forms
Do they apply to you?
|
Higher education |
Yes, some courses |
VET |
Yes, some courses |
School leavers |
Yes |
Non-school leavers |
Yes |
How do they work?
Interviews are often used in very competitive courses, such as medicine and veterinary science or creative arts to determine whether you are a suitable applicant for the course, but also whether you are sufficiently passionate about the field. Although they can be tough, they also give you another chance to prove yourself.
A supplementary information form asks students to detail their reasons for choosing the course and any experience they have in the field. The responses can be used to shortlist applicants for an interview or to gauge the applicant’s enthusiasm and aptitude for the field.
Portfolio or audition
Do they apply to you?
|
Higher education |
Yes, some courses |
VET |
Yes, some courses |
School leavers |
Yes |
Non-school leavers |
Yes |
How do they work?
You will really only need to present a portfolio or do an audition if you are trying to get into a course in the creative arts field. For visual arts, you will probably do an interview and then hand over a portfolio that includes samples of your work. If you’re going for music or drama, you will perform an audition to give the course organisers a chance to assess your talent and potential.
Tests
Do they apply to you?
|
Higher education |
Yes, some courses |
VET |
No |
School leavers |
Yes |
Non-school leavers |
Yes |
How do they work?
These will apply in only a few university courses, mostly those in the health sciences field. The prime example is the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Test (UMAT), which assesses the skills and aptitude of prospective medical students. Entry tests are far more common at postgraduate level.
Alternative selection
Also known as: alternative entry criteria, alternative entry, alternative admission, alternative pathway, special entry, special admission.
Alternative selection is used by education providers to assist students who may:
- otherwise not meet narrow standard selection criteria
- have been disadvantaged throughout their schooling
- have other relevant skills and experience which make them a suitable candidate.
Alternative entry criteria
Just say you are a school leaver who does not meet standard entry requirements because you do not have a high entry score. Higher education or VET providers might apply alternative selection methods or criteria to help you enter the course you want, including:
- interview performance (instead of just a cut-off)
- relevant experience in the workforce
- other study completed after school
- a statement of the applicant’s suitability
- an aptitude test.
Equity schemes
Both higher education and VET providers have special schemes for students who might otherwise find it hard to enter their course because of difficult circumstances or some disadvantage suffered.
Alternative entry schemes often aim to determine how students will perform in a course, rather than judging them solely on how they have performed in the past. For example, some schemes award bonus tertiary entrance points to students, or allow them to sit a test to demonstrate their potential for tertiary study.
Alternative entry schemes are usually available for:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- students with disabilities
- students from rural or remote areas
- students with disadvantaged financial or familial circumstances
- students who have experienced educational disadvantage.
Note that rules and criteria for alternative selection methods and schemes will vary between institutions and courses. Check with any institution you are interested in.
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