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Admissions information

Admissions criteria

Every course at UOW College has entry requirements to ensure that students are successful in their study. Our aim is to provide you with an opportunity to enrol in a course which best suits your needs and previous study experience. 

Our entry requirements include details of academic requirements as well as English language proficiency where this is required. There is often more than one type of qualification or experience to enter courses. There may be some cases where we consider additional information or other inherent requirements.

To find admission criteria and detailed course information on the UOW College course you want to study, read information on entry requirements page or Course Finder.

For the regulations around application for entry to UOW College, see the Admissions Policy.

How to apply

If you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen currently studying your HSC or the International Baccalaureate (IB), you can apply for selected UOW College courses directly to UOW College or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

International students may be able to apply via a UOW College representative agent or, in some cases, directly to UOW College.

Resources for international student admissions

The following resources maybe be useful to agents in counselling future students.

As part of our commitment to supporting the application process and aiding students in making informed decisions, we collaborate with trusted third-party entities such as Education Agents and international specialists.

Understanding assessment options

We want all prospective students to be able to make informed decisions when it comes to studying at UOW College.

The information below helps domestic students understand how they can be assessed. In specific cases of international assessments, situations may not neatly fit into distinct categories. In such instances, additional factors may be considered in the admission process, aligning with the Admission policy. International students are encouraged to visits entry requirements or Course Finder to understand entry requirements.

Students with recent secondary education have various pathways to admission at UOW College. The following criteria outline different scenarios for students who have completed secondary education within the last two years. These include: 

  • Have completed secondary education within the previous two years at a school, TAFE, or other VET or higher education provider.
  • Will complete secondary education this year at a school, TAFE, or other VET or higher education provider.
  • Have started or completed some VET or higher education study while still at school.

 This also applies to equivalent secondary education interstate or overseas.

For those with work and life experience, UOW College provides flexible admission options. This may include students in the following scenarios: 

  • Left secondary education more than two years previously and haven't undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
  • Have a profession or work experience that can demonstrate your readiness for higher education.
  • Have completed a non-formal program that helps you prepare for tertiary education, or a program relevant to a higher education field of study you are interested in.

It is important to note that while domestic students may be assessed based on a combination of work and life experience, this option may not be available for international students.

For those in Vocational Education and Training (VET), UOW College offers diverse admission pathways. The following criteria outline scenarios for individuals:

  • Enrolled in a VET course at a vocational education and training provider since leaving secondary education.
  • Completed your VET qualification or weren't able to do so.
  • Have other qualifications, such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.
  • Completed a Certificate IV during high school.

It is important to note that while domestic students may be assessed based on a combination of work and life experience, this option may not be available for international students.

For Higher Education students, UOW College recognises diverse admission routes. The following criteria outline scenarios for individuals who: 

  • Studied a higher education course since leaving secondary education — recently or some time ago.
  • Studied at a university or through a non-university higher education provider.
  • Completed a bridging or enabling course delivered on behalf of a higher education provider.

Frequently asked questions

You can use your ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) or equivalent to apply for UOW College study. 

Some UOW College courses have criteria for admission that are additional to your ATAR. These may include minimum age and English language requirements. 

If you do not have an ATAR or if your ATAR is not sufficient to meet the entry requirements for your selected course, alternative admission options may be available for some programs. These can include the completion of an Entrance Test, an assessment of individual HSC subject results, or successful completion of a UOW College preparation program. Additionally, previous complete or incomplete higher education, vocational education and training study, and work and life experience can be used as a basis for admission. 

For our academic courses, you may be required to undertake a basic online literacy and numeracy test sent to you by our Admissions team. This ensures you receive an offer for a course that aligns with the skill set to set you up for success in your studies. 

If you have work experience aligned with the course you want to study, submit a resume outlining your experience. This can be used in conjunction with your test results.

Some people experience hardship or difficulties while they are at school. This may include financial struggles, interrupted schooling, responsibilities at home or in your environment, difficulties with the English language, and personal illness or disability. These hardship factors may also be considered alongside other admission criteria for entry into various UOW College courses. 

If you've experienced challenges beyond your control, let us know during the application process so we can take these into consideration when assessing your application for these courses. You can do this by adding a document to your application when you submit an application or email uowca-future@uow.edu.au to seek advice on proving this information to our team.

We understand that your ATAR score marks a crucial milestone, but we want to emphasise that it's not the only way your future is determined. Although ATAR scores play a pivotal role in many courses, our approach to admissions is holistic. We acknowledge the uniqueness of each student, considering diverse strengths and experiences. 

Beyond ATAR scores, we assess a variety of factors that reflect your potential. Individual subject results, showcasing specific talents and areas of expertise, are taken into account. We also recognise the value of vocational education qualifications, appreciating the practical skills and real-world experience they bring. 

UOW College is deeply committed to accessibility and inclusivity. We provide special entry schemes to support students from various backgrounds, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to pursue higher education. 

Applicants who do not meet the ATAR-Based Admission requirement can be assessed case-by-case, considering the applicant’s work and life experience.

When you submit your application to study, add additional information such as a resume and a summary of your background and life experience to the support documents section of our application portal.

Depending on your background, our admission team may ask you to undertake a short literacy and numeracy test to ensure we assess you for the most appropriate course.

If you would like clarification on these steps, contact our friendly team at uowca-future@uow.edu.au to seek advice on providing this information to our team.

Our Admission team can assess students based on their work or life experience on a case-by-case basis.

You can be assessed based on a detailed resume, including details of previous positions held, a general description of duties and responsibilities, key achievements within the role, the number of persons who reported to you, and the number of hours worked (if employed on a part-time basis).

For students who have not previously studied, we recommend contacting our team to discuss the best course and documentation. If you would like clarification on these steps, contact our friendly team on uowca-future@uow.edu.au.

For our vocational courses, you may be eligible for credit for previous study or work experience towards your qualification. The recognition of prior learning (RPL) process at UOW College allows students to demonstrate that they have already acquired the necessary skills and knowledge through formal or informal learning experiences. This can include previous education, work experience, or other relevant training.  

The specific eligibility criteria and process for applying for credit will depend on the course and the nature of your prior learning and past units on competency that you may have studied. It's recommended to contact the UOW College Admissions team or relevant academic department to inquire about the RPL process for your specific qualification. 

UOW College encourages course applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, with additional support provided through the  Aunty Linda Cruse Scholarship. Students considering studying at UOW College are encouraged to reach out to our Future Student team on uowca-future@uow.edu.au understand course and assessment options. 

While studying at UOW College, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will also have access to support and resources through the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

Information about fees, scholarships, government subsidies and student loans is available in the fees and scholarship section.

Student profile

The table below provides admissions profile data on students that commenced study in the courses below in 2023, including students admitted through the year and international students studying in Australia. The data includes student information from the following courses: 

  • Diploma of Arts, Social Science and Humanities Fast Track (3193)
  • Diploma of Arts, Social Science and Humanities Standard Session (3191)
  • Diploma of Business Fast Track (3128 & 1950)
  • Diploma of Business Standard Session (3186 & 1952)
  • Diploma of Information Technology Fast Track (3130 & 1963)
  • Diploma of Information Technology Standard Session (3187 & 1964)
  • Diploma of Medical and Health Sciences Fast Track (3136)
  • Diploma of Medical and Health Sciences Standard Session (3189)
  • Diploma of Science Fast Track (3134 & 2905)
  • Diploma of Science Standard Session (3194 & 2906)
UOW College Student Admission Profile Number of students Percentage of all students

A. Higher education study

Domestic students admitted on the basis of earlier higher education study (includes bridging or enabling courses).

 147 20.0%

B. Vocational education and training (VET) study

Domestic students admitted on the basis of earlier VET study

 43 5.9%

C. Work and life experience

Domestic students admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other admission profile categories

 48 6.6%

D (i). Recent secondary education (ATAR)

Students admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (either with or without adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)

 84 11.5%

D (ii). Recent secondary education (ATAR+)

Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)

 17 2.3%

D (iii). Recent secondary education (Non-ATAR)

Students who were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, UOW early admission).

 167 22.8%

G. International students

Students studying on a student visa onshore in Australia (includes all relevant admission criteria applied)

 226 30.9%
All students 732 100%

Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching

The Australian government's ComparED website lets you compare study experiences and employment outcomes across Australian higher education institutions and study areas, based on real-life feedback from current students and recent graduates.

Registrations and course accreditations

All Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training courses offered by UOW College Australia align to the Australian Qualifications Framework.

UOW College Australia is registered by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) as a provider of Higher Education in Australia. Our provider registration and TEQSA course accreditations can be found on the TEQSA National Register. All other UOW College Australia Higher Education courses are accredited by UOW (a self-accrediting provider) and are listed on the National Register under UOW. UOW College Australia maintains a commitment to academic excellence and ensures the delivery of quality education for both domestic and international students in accordance with the Higher Education Threshold Standards (2021).

UOW College Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) registered with the Australian Skills and Quality Authority (ASQA). UOW College Australia delivers VET courses to domestic students (Australian citizens, permanent residents and temporary visitors who are not on student visas) and to international students studying on an Australian student visa, under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. Our registered VET courses can be found on the Training.gov.au website.

UOW College Australia is a registered provider of education to international students studying onshore in Australia under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018. All UOW College courses, accredited by TEQSA or ASQA, that are offered to international students (onshore) are listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) - Provider Code: 02723D. UOW accredited courses offered by UOW College Australia are listed on the CRICOS register under UOW – Provider Code: 00102E.

UOW College Australia delivers ELICOS courses to international students studying onshore on an Australian student visa as well as to international students studying English in conjunction with a UOW course offshore. ELICOS courses are delivered in accordance with the ELICOS Standards 2018. ELICOS courses delivered in Australia are registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

In addition to UOW College Australia’s regulatory accreditations, professional accreditation and recognition has been achieved for some specialist courses. The Diploma of Nursing is accredited with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), and the Diploma of Engineering is accredited with Engineers Australia.