Find out how to apply to university for 2021
Understand the process so you can get your application in on time and maximise your chances of securing a place
Wondering how to apply for uni?
There’s a lot to take in, but we’ve made it easy for you to understand what you need to do and when you need to do it by.
You’ll find all the information you need to submit your application, maximise your preferences, and claim any Adjustment Factors you are eligible for.
Learn about COVID Pathways
This is no ordinary year, and all Year 12’s will have been affected to some degree. Luckily, most universities are aware that things are different, and have come up with programs and entry schemes designed to ensure everyone who wants to go to uni in 2021 can find a place.
Some universities will allow you to apply using your Year 11 and Year 12 results, others will guarantee a place if you score above the set ATAR. Each university is different, and the application process can be complex, which is why we’ve collected all the information from each university into the one place.
We anticipate things will continue to change, so check back for the latest updates and new COVID programs as the year progresses. All the changes will be included in our Weekly Newsletters for schools and students.
Entry schemes could allow you to apply with:
- Your Year 11 & 12 results
- A recommendation from your Principal
- Volunteer work and community service (including school leadership)
- Your ATAR, or
- A combination of results
Each state has their own Application Centre, fees, dates, and rules
You need to apply in the state where you want to go to university – NOT in the state where you live.
So if you live in Sydney but want to apply for courses in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, you’ll need to apply through UAC, QTAC and TISC.
The good news is that applying in more states can INCREASE your chances of getting a place, because you can nominate the maximum number of preferences in each state. Which is particularly important if you’re considering a competitive course, like medicine or law.
UAC | Universities Admissions Centre
Preferences
Key dates
30 September – Early Bird Applications Close – Application fee is now $200
1 October – Midnight 5 February 2021 – Applications are open for the standard $200 fee
16 November – Last date to apply for December Round 2 offers (Main Round)
Midnight 27 November – Applications close for January round 1 offers
9am 18 December – ATAR Results Released
Midnight 19 December – Change of Preference Deadline for December Round 2 Offers
7.30am 23 December – Year 12 Offers Released
Midnight 3 January 2021 – Final date to change preferences for January round 1 Offers
8 January 2021 – January Round 1 offers released & applications close for January round 2 Offers
Midnight 17 January 2021 – Final date to change preferences for January round 2 Offers
21 January 2021 – January Round 2 offers released
Find more dates
How to apply
Register with your YEAR 12 STUDENT NUMBER and UAC PIN on the UAC website.
NSW & ACT students – Your UAC PIN will be emailed to the address you registered with NESA.
Interstate students – Your UAC PIN is the first four digits of your date of birth (so if your birthday is 3 October, your PIN is 0310).
List up to FIVE preferences – to maximise your chances of getting an offer list all five preferences.
Remember – you can change these later.
Some of the private tertiary education providers manage their own application and offer process. Each institution has it own application dates, fees and procedures, so if you want to apply for a course through one of those institutions you’ll need to check with them directly.
VTAC | Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
Preferences
Key dates
5pm 30 September – On-time Applications Close – Application fee is now $119
5pm 9 October – Scholarship & SEAS Applications Close
5pm 6 November – Late Applications Close – Application fee is now $155
5pm 4 December – Very Late Applications Close
7am 30 December – ATAR Results
12pm 4 January 2021 – Change of Preference Deadline – January Round
2pm 14 January 2021 – January Offers released
12pm 21 January 2021 – Change of Preference Deadline – February Round
2pm 1 February 2021 – February Offers released
More key dates
How to apply
Set up your VTAC account. You will need to login and complete all the details, and if you need any documentation they will let you know.
They have created a demo and video to help you understand the process – find it on the VTAC website here.
List up to EIGHT preferences – to maximise your chances of getting an offer, list all eight preferences.
Remember – you can change these later.
Some of the private tertiary education providers manage their own application and offer process. Each institution has it own application dates, fees and procedures, so if you want to apply for a course through one of those institutions you’ll need to check with them directly.
QTAC | Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre
Preferences
Key dates
9 December – Applications Close – December Round
11 December – Applications Close – January Round
19 December – QCE & ATAR Results Released
12pm 21 December – Change of Preference Deadline – December Round
23 December – December Offers Released
12pm 7 January – Change of Preference Deadline – January Round
14 January – January Offers Released
Some courses have fixed application dates. You can find those here.
Check other Key dates here, if they’re not up to date you can check details in the QTAC 2021 Guide.
How to apply
Set up your QTAC account – you can’t do this on a tablet or mobile, so you’ll need a PC.
You will need your Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) number – it won’t accept your EQID or USI.
List up to SIX preferences – to maximise your chances of getting an offer list all six preferences.
Remember – you can change these later.
Submit your application and pay the processing fee, and don’t forget to upload any supporting documents.
Some of the private tertiary education providers manage their own application and offer process. Each institution has it own application dates, fees and procedures, so if you want to apply for a course through one of those institutions you’ll need to check with them directly.
TISC | Tertiary Institutions Service Centre
Preferences
Key dates
11pm 30 September 2020 – Early Bird Applications Close – Fee is now $170
11pm 14 December 2020 – Applications Close (for 15 January 2021 Offers Round)
21 December 2020 TBC – WACE Results Released
11pm 8 January 2021 – Change of Preference Deadline (for 15 January 2021 Offers Round)
15 January 2021 TBC – January Offers (first round) Released
11pm 24 January 2021 – Applications close and final date for Change of Preferences for 28 January offers round
28 January 2021 TBC – Second Offers Round
Other Key Dates
How to apply
List up to SIX preferences – to maximise your chances of getting an offer list all six preferences.
Remember – you can change these later.
Submit your application and pay the processing fee, and don’t forget to upload any supporting documents.
Your application will only be processed after you’ve paid the fee and completed the declaration step.
Once you’ve lodged your application you can only change your contact details and preferences – all other changes must be made in writing.
Some of the private tertiary education providers manage their own application and offer process. Each institution has it own application dates, fees and procedures, so if you want to apply for a course through one of those institutions you’ll need to check with them directly.
SATAC | SA & NT Tertiary Admissions Centre
Preferences
Key dates
30 September 2020 – Early bird Applications Close – Fee from 1 October $185
30 September 2020 – Final closing date for Medicine/Surgery (including Bonded Medical Program), Dental Surgery, Oral Health, and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Adelaide. Late applications not accepted.
2 November 2020 – Final closing date for Creative Arts (Drama) at Flinders University. Late applications not accepted.
1 December 2020 – Applications close (for equal consideration), completed applications and fees must be submitted by this date.
1 December 2020 – Final closing date for Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine at Flinders University, and Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology at the University of Adelaide. Late applications not accepted.
TBC December 2020 – Predicted ATAR Release Dates
7 January 2021 – Change of Preference Deadline
15 January 2021 – January Main Offer Round – emailed by 5pm
28 January 2021 – Next Offer Round – emailed by 5pm
2 February 2021 – Next Offer Round – emailed by 5pm
Other Key Dates
How to apply
List up to SIX preferences – to maximise your chances of getting an offer, list all six preferences.
Remember – you can change these later.
Some of the private tertiary education providers manage their own application and offer process. Each institution has it own application dates, fees and procedures, so if you want to apply for a course through one of those institutions you’ll need to check with them directly.
University of Tasmania
How to apply
Step 1
Set up your UTAS Account – they will obtain most of the documentation needed to process your application, and let you know if they need anything else.
Step 2
List up to FIVE preferences – to maximise your chances of getting an offer, list all five preferences. Remember – you can change these later.
Step 3
Submit your application, and if you need to change anything you can log into your account online.
Preferences
You can nominate up to 5 preferences. To maximise your chances of receiving an offer it’s a good idea to nominate courses for all 5 preferences, just remember to put the one you want the most as ‘Number 1’.
Key Dates
4 August – Applications Open – No application fee
30 September – Main Applications Close – 5pm
17 December – ATAR Release Date
18 December – First Offer Round (Tasmanian Year 12s)
10 January – Special Consideration Applications Close
19 January – Deadline for Year 12s to accept their offer
GET THE GUIDE
Apply to Uni 2021
In the Guide
In our guide, you’ll discover –
- Key dates for Year 12’s in each state
- How to change your preferences, and the cut-off dates for changes
- Step-by-step application guide for each state
- How to choose what to study
- Find a university you’ll love
- Understanding Adjustment Factors
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