Adelaide Uni offers special intake for COVID-hindered high school students
Would-be uni students whose Year 12 marks are hit hard by the coronavirus shutdowns could still find their way into Adelaide University under a special new intake system.
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Students will have an extra chance to get into Adelaide University for next year, with a special intake based on Year 11 results.
With schools disrupted by coronavirus, the university has added the extra option in recognition final year results may be negatively affected.
Students will still need to complete Year 12 but the new pathway would create greater flexibility.
“We’re very aware of just how difficult this year has been, and will remain, for school communities,’’ deputy vice-chancellor Pascale Quester said.
“This entry pathway will enable 2020 Year 12 students to apply for entry into the vast majority of our undergraduate degrees based predominantly on their 2019 Year 11 subject results, without compromising entry standards.
“We hope that having this additional entry option will reassure students that, no matter how disrupted their studies are in 2020, they can still pursue their careers.”
The Year 11 pathway will not apply to a few undergraduate degrees with highly competitive intakes, mostly in health courses, or where special requirements apply, such as auditions for music degrees.
Applications under the Year 11 scheme will need to be lodged by August 28, with offer results announced in late September.
Applicants will still be able to use the normal end-of-year results process.
“Students will be considered for whichever pathway favours them best,” a university spokeswoman said.
“If they receive an offer via the Year 11 pathway and then would prefer to be considered for another program on the basis of their Year 12 ATAR at the end of the year, that will be used instead.”
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The Year 11 pathway will be available for students from all South Australian schools and some regional schools in Victoria and NSW near SA’s borders.
To be eligible, they must be enrolled in at least four Year 12 subjects this year and meet whatever subject mix might be needed for a particular degree.
Early estimates of 2021 enrolments is expected to benefit the university as well as students. Overseas student numbers this year have been below budgeted projections because of coronavirus restrictions, causing $90 million of a $100 million shortfall to revenue.
For domestic students nationally, the Federal Government stepped in to guarantee its continued payments to all universities even if students dropped out. Adelaide Acting Vice-Chancellor Mike Brooks – who has taken over during the indefinite leave of Professor Peter Rathjen – has said the university was in a solid financial position but intended finding new avenues to earn money, including more short courses and an increased push for research funding.