Skip to Content

Future Students - Information For

Mature Age Students and Non-School Leavers:
A glossary of terms for Non-Year 12 applicants

Unlike school leavers, where results or the ENTER are the main factors affecting a student’s entry into a course, several factors are taken into consideration when assessing Non-Year 12 applicants. These include prior education, work experience, training and other qualifications.

Entry standards vary greatly between courses, so it’s best to confirm the application procedure for individual courses using Swinburne’s CourseFinder. CourseFinder provides a full list of Swinburne courses, including prerequisites and application procedures, and detailed information about subjects and career outcomes.

You'll probably come across a number of unfamiliar terms during the application process, so we've compiled this list to help you make sense of it all!

VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre)

There are two main methods of application into university and TAFE, either through VTAC or by direct entry. As a general rule, all university and TAFE courses at diploma level and above require students to apply through VTAC.

All TAFE courses that are Certificate IV and below require students to apply directly to the university. Swinburne’s CourseFinder lists all our courses and explains the application procedure for each course.

VTAC works as an application and administrative agency for all Victorian Universities and TAFE institutes.

Applications to VTAC must be submitted electronically via the VTAC website. The VTAC Guide to University and TAFE courses, which is produced annually, is available from newsagents or alternatively may be viewed on the VTAC website.

Applications through VTAC commence in July each year. Timely applications close during the last week of September and although late applications will be accepted by VTAC until mid-December some programs that have special requirements will not accept late applications. Please check the VTAC Guide for details or view Swinburne's VTAC Entry web page.


Back to Top

Direct Applications

For Higher Education programs (university courses) not offered through the VTAC system, applicants will need to complete a direct entry application form. Please note that you can only make direct entry applications for Swinburne's mid-year intake; applications cannot be made through VTAC.

For part time study within the TAFE division, or for those TAFE courses that are not offered through the VTAC system, applicants should contact 1300 368 777 for details on how to submit application forms.

Back to Top

OUA (Open Universities Australia)

OUA is owned by seven leading universities and is the country’s fastest growing online higher education service. Over 110, 000 people have already studied with OUA since it began in 1993.

You can choose to study from over 100 subject areas and graduate with qualifications from 15 academic providers. There are no entry requirements to start studying with Open Universities Australia.

For further information, visit http://www.open.edu.au/

Back to Top

SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)

SEAS is a program which allows VTAC applicants to describe specific circumstances which have adversely affected their education. The information submitted on the SEAS application will be considered by course selection authorities at participating institutions when ranking applicants for selection to tertiary courses.

This information is also used by some institutions to award scholarships. Being eligible to apply for SEAS does not guarantee an offer since you are competing with other eligible applicants. SEAS Category 1 is for Mature Age entry.

Back to Top

Pi (Personal Information) Form

The VTAC Pi form is a way for applicants to provide personal information, which isn't collected in the regular application, to selection officers. It can be accessed by logging into MyInfo on the VTAC website. Only one VTAC Pi form may be submitted per applicant and subsequent alterations will not be accepted.

You must complete and submit a VTAC Pi form if it is listed as an extra requirement for any of the preferences on your VTAC Online Application. You may also choose to complete and submit a VTAC Pi form (even if it is not an Extra Requirement for any of your preferences) if you wish to provide any of the following details to support your application:

  • work experience
  • circumstances of disadvantage while undertaking tertiary study
  • languages other than English
  • reasons for applying for your chosen course.

Note: check the important dates in your VTAC Guide to find out the deadline for submitting the form.

Back to Top

STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test)

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test is an aptitude test designed to assess a range of competencies commonly considered important for success in tertiary study. VTAC administers two types of STAT on behalf of institutions:

  • STAT Multiple Choice
    This test requires you to read and interpret graphical displays of information and passages of writing, to use mathematical relationships and to apply reasoning to tables of data. The test is two hours long with ten minutes reading time, and contains seventy multiple-choice questions.
  • STAT Written English
    This test assesses your ability to organise and express your thoughts in a logical and effective way. The test is one hour long with five minutes reading time, and contains two short essays.

You need to sit the STAT if:

  • it is listed as a course requirement in the selection mode or extra requirements of a course entry
  • it is a requirement when applying for special entry schemes

It is important to note that if the STAT is listed as a course requirement, the course may provide exemption criteria and you may not have to sit the test - read the course entry carefully and then the institutional page for any further STAT information. If you are still unsure you must contact the course authorities directly at the institution concerned.

It's your responsibility to find out whether STAT results can be used for admission to courses for which you are applying. VTAC does not have the authority to give advice on whether you are required to sit the test or not.

Back to Top

RPL (Recognition of Prior Leaning)

Through Recognition of Prior Learning you be able to complete you course in a shorter amount of time. RPL is the acknowledgment of skills and knowledge obtained through learning achieved outside the formal education and training system, and includes work and life experience; including paid and volunteer work and skills attained through leisure pursuits such as musical, mechanical or linguistic abilities.

If you have an academic transcript from a Registered Training Organisation showing an official result with the same code and unit name or with a different code which has similar elements, you also will be eligible to apply for credit.

Back to Top

Credit

Credit Transfer is the granting of recognition by universities for previous study and/or experience, in the form of exemption from certain course/program requirements. This term tends to be used interchangeably in Australian universities with the terms advanced standing and/or status. Check out our Credit Transfer Database for more information.

Back to Top