Each year, a large number of year 12 students enter UniSA using their selection rank (your ATAR plus any adjustment factors).
Below we take you through all of the information you need to know about year 12 admission, including alternative entry options should your selection rank not meet the competitive entry score to get into your desired UniSA program.
If you haven’t recently completed year 12 but still wish to use your selection rank, don’t worry. So long as you have not attempted more than two years of full-time tertiary study, you can still use your selection rank as a basis for entry.
For year 12s studying in 2020
If you’re tackling year 12, you began 2020 with a plan, and then that got turned on its head. But despite this, we know you are doing your best to adapt, learn and grow.
One thing that hasn't changed is that year 12 and getting your SACE and ATAR are important milestones as you prepare for further study and your unstoppable career. Another thing that hasn’t changed is our flexible admissions policies. UniSA has many pathways in addition to the ATAR, so you will never be disadvantaged.
We want you to know, through all of this change, we’ve got your back. It’s why we’re offering you the option of a personalised Application Health Check. Or, if you have a specific question, contact our expert Future Student Enquiries staff on (08) 8302 2376 or visit unisa.edu.au/enquire.
Admission explained
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Entry via your Selection Rank (including Guaranteed Entry & Adjustment Factors)
Students applying via their year 12 results are selected for entry based on:
- completing the SACE or equivalent year 12 qualification (including the International Baccalaureate Diploma) , and
- achieving a competitive selection rank*, and
- meeting any prerequisite or other essential admissions requirements
*Your selection rank is your ATAR including any adjustment factors.
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors (formerly known as bonus points) are combined with your raw aggregate to generate your selection rank.
All South Australian Universities offer two adjustment factor schemes: the Universities Equity Scheme and the Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme. These schemes are administered by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC), with adjustment factors calculated as part of the application process. For more information visit the SATAC website.
Guaranteed vs competitive entry
Guaranteed entry
Designed to reduce some of the stress faced when applying to university, UniSA offers guaranteed entry into many of its undergraduate degrees.
You’re guaranteed a place into many UniSA degrees if:
- your selection rank (your ATAR plus any adjustment factors) meets the UniSA Guaranteed Entry score for that degree , and
- you have met the prerequisites and any specific requirements for admission, and
- you have listed the degree as your first preference in your SATAC application, with any required documentation submitted to SATAC on time.
Competitive entry
If you don’t meet the guaranteed entry score, you’ll still be considered for competitive entry. When there are more eligible applicants than available places in your preferred degree, offers are made to applicants in descending order of selection rank until all places are filled. The lowest selection rank that receives an offer to a given degree is called the cutoff. This can vary each year depending on the number of applicants and places available in the program. Minimum entry requirements, such as prerequisite still apply.
ATAR > Degree Finder
Go online and check out our new ATAR > Degree Finder, to explore which degrees you may be eligible for using your selection rank.
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Entry via SACE Stage 2 Selection by Grades entry pathway
If you haven't received the selection rank required for automatic selection into your preferred degree, you may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades from your Year 12 subjects.
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Entry with the International Baccalaureate
To be eligible for entry, International Baccalaureate (IB) students are required to have:
- Qualified for their IB diploma, achieving a minimum IB score of 24 points, and
- Achieved an equivalent competitive selection rank (ATAR including adjustment factors), and
- Obtained the required grades for any prerequisite subjects as listed below
IB Grades required for prerequisite subjects:
SACE Stage 2 Equivalent IB subject Required grades Mathematical Methods Mathematics (HL)
Mathematics (SL)All HL subjects must be passed at minimum Grade 3
All SL subjects must be passed at minimum Grade 4Specialist Mathematics Mathematics (HL) Chemistry Chemistry (HL)
Chemistry (SL)Physics Physics (HL)
Physics (SL)For additional information, contact SATAC.
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Entry for interstate students
Many of our students have moved here to come to University after graduating from high school elsewhere in Australia.
Visit the Interstate Students information page to find out more about using your interstate year 12 qualifications to apply.
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Entry for international Year 12 students
If you’re an international student who has studied year 12 in Australia, you can use your year 12 results to apply for a UniSA degree. Applications are through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).
Alternate pathways explained
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UniSA pathways via UniSA College
UniSA College offers alternative entry programs that can help you gain direct entry into a UniSA degree. These programs will prepare you for university study by building your academic skills and prerequisite knowledge. You will experience life as a UniSA student, be taught by UniSA staff and have access to a full-range of support services. After successfully completing your UniSA College program, you will then be able to seamlessly transfer into a range of undergraduate degrees at UniSA.
UniSA College offers four pathway options
- Foundation Studies - one-year, fee free* Foundation Studies program which enables you to competitively apply for your preferred UniSA degree using your Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Diplomas - two-year diploma, which enables you to enter second year of one of our 90+ linked UniSA degrees.
- Aboriginal Pathway Program - one-year, fee free* Foundation program for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students with no previous qualifications, which enables you to competitively apply for your preferred UniSA degree using your Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Package Diploma and Bachelor programs which guarantee you entry into a range of UniSA degrees including Education, Business, Construction, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Aviation, Information Technology and more.
Add a UniSA College pathway to your SATAC application as a back-up option to your preferred UniSA degrees.
*Students will be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee determined by the Australian Government.
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Alternative pathways
Special Tertiary Admissions Test
If you don't have a competitive result from Year 12, TAFE/RTO or previous university study, you may qualify for special entry into your preferred UniSA degree by choosing to sit the STAT – a two-hour test made up of 70 multiple choice questions designed to test your aptitude for tertiary study. Your results will be used to create a ranking that you can then use to compete for entry with other special entry applicants. To be eligible you must be aged over 18 years by 1 February (or 1 July for midyear entry) in the year you wish to commence your study. UniSA also offers full-day workshops to help you prepare.
Visit our STAT webpage for more information
VET / TAFE studies
A completed certificate IV, diploma or advanced diploma from TAFE or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO) may be all you need to apply for a UniSA degree. Check out the entry requirements for the degrees that interest you most and see what VET qualification is needed for entry.
For more information, visit our VET/TAFE pathways webpage
- Guaranteed entry via VET
If your completed VET award meets the UniSA guaranteed entry score, you have met the prerequisites and any specific entry requirements, and you have listed the degree as your first preference, you are guaranteed an offer.
Check out the guaranteed entry cut offs
- Credit for VET
You may also be eligible to receive credit for your previous study, typically reducing the time it takes to complete the degree. Use our credit assessor to see an instant snapshot of how your qualifications may count towards your UniSA degree.
SAIBT Diploma
UniSA and SAIBT have a strong partnership that spans more than 15 years and has produced over 5,000 successful graduates. SAIBT’s diploma programs provide direct entry with credit into more than 80 UniSA degrees (subject to academic results). Students have access to UniSA facilities and study in a diverse learning environment with small classes and personalised teaching.
Visit the SAIBT website for more information
Tertiary transfer
If your Year 12 selection rank is not high enough to gain admission to your preferred degree, you can consider starting your studies in a degree that has a lower entry score then, using your competitive Grade Point Average (GPA), apply to transfer into your preferred degree at a later stage. You can do this after completing the equivalent of one full-time study period, which is typically four courses, at UniSA or other recognised higher education institution.
For most program, applications for tertiary transfer can be done internally. For some competitive programs, you may need to reapply through SATAC. You may also be eligible to carry across some of your previously completed studies as credit into your new program. Contact our Future Student Enquiries team to discuss your options.
Open Universities Australia
If you have completed at least four courses through Open Universities Australia (OUA) at an appropriate level, you may use your Grade Point Average (GPA) to apply for entry into a UniSA degree. OUA offers undergraduate courses across a variety of disciplines such as accounting and business, engineering, health, languages, management, and more.
Visit the Open Universities Australia website for more information
Study a UniSA Online program
UniSA offers a range of 100% online degrees in a range of areas including Accounting, Construction, Communication, Health, Engineering, Criminal Justice, Marketing, Nutrition and Exercise, Psychology, and more. These programs have alternative entry requirements.
* ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-19 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). Public SA-founded universities only.
^ ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2018-19 – Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Undergraduate).Public SA-founded universities only.
