2023 South Australian uni offers: More than 16,000 undergraduate degree courses for new students
South Australia’s three main universities have made another 12,200 offers to students for courses starting this year, taking the total to over 16,000. Search the full list.
Tertiary
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tertiary. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Numbers at South Australian universities will return to levels not seen since the start of the pandemic, with a total of 16,000 offers made to new students.
University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University emailed 12,200 students with first round undergraduate university offers on Thursday.
CLICK HERE FOR 2024'S UNI OFFERS
More than 10,300 of the places will be offered to school leavers who recently completed SACE in year 12.
The SA Tertiary Admission Centre (SATAC) said medicine and health remained the most popular area of study, followed by humanities and social sciences.
The latest round offers made by SATAC follow 4000 offers made by SA universities in September, including to hundreds of students based on their year 11 results.
SATAC will make another round of offers on January 25, subject to course availability.
Deputy Premier Susan Close said students who did not receive a first round offer should not be disheartened.
“There are further rounds to come and a plethora of pathways into study available to them,” she said.
Dr Close said one of her children had completed year 12 last year.
“I understand how important today is for many students and their families,” she said.
“Congratulations to all students who’ve just completed Year 12 and have applied for university and TAFE places, as well as those going straight into employment.
“For those students that didn’t get offered the place they wanted, I encourage you to keep pursuing the career or vocation you want.”
University of Adelaide deputy vice-chancellor (external engagement) Dr Jessica Gallagher said universities across Australia experienced significant declines in demand in 2022 as the world slowly reopened following the global pandemic.
“As things have settled, the University of Adelaide has returned to robust growth,” she said.
“Supported by an additional large allocation of Commonwealth places, the university has more opportunities for commencing students than ever before.”
Dr Gallagher said the “breadth” of the courses which attracted applications highlighted the university’s reputation “as a diverse and future-focused institution”.
“They also reflect areas of need and growth for our state,” she said.
The university on Thursday made 4095 offers to domestic students for undergraduate programs starting this year.
Dr Gallagher said this took the total to 6520 – an increase of 6 per cent from last year.
The most popular courses were medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science and commerce, with over 1400 first preference applications between them.
The university’s allied health programs – physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology – had 2000 offers while interest in engineering degrees also had increased.
This included applications from females, which had risen by eight per cent to 157 or one quarter of this year’s intake.
Dr Gallagher said females represented 45 per cent of the chemical engineering and environment and climate engineering classes while they made up 57 per cent of the architectural engineering cohort.
UniSA chief academic officer Professor Esther May said it had made 6481 offers for undergraduate programs through SATAC.
“We also have made 894 offers to postgraduate programs and an additional 873 offers to UniSA Online programs, which are ongoing throughout the year,” she said.
“There are still more offer rounds before the teaching year starts, in which UniSA often attracts many non-school leavers.”
Professor May said one of the biggest changes introduced for 2023 was embedding the university’s Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours).
“This will help students graduate work ready and no longer have to complete these additional studies after they graduate,” she said.
Professor May said UniSA also had introduced a new Bachelor of Digital Business.
“This is the first degree offered by our Innovation Academy, which is delivered in partnership with global professional services firm Accenture,” she said.
Other changes included expanding the university’s popular medical radiation science program by offering additional places.
More places had been offered in regional areas in midwifery, primary teaching and social science – including ageing and disability.
Professor May said that, in addition to the offers made through SATAC, UniSA was “growing our pathways to IT and other areas where there are skills shortages with our associate degrees in IT, health, data analytics, and engineering”.
Flinders University said there had been strong demand for its health-related courses, with seven featuring in its top 10 most popular programs.
Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine was the highest first preference demand, followed by Paramedic Science, and pre-registration Nursing.
Primary Education also remained popular, followed by Health Sciences (Vision Science), Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design), with Psychology (Hons), Nutrition and Dietetics and Psychological Science.
Deputy vice-chancellor (students) Professor Romy Lawson said while there was strong demand in health including areas such as Optometry, Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine, Secondary Health and Physical Education there was also solid growth in Visual Effects and Entertainment Design, and Engineering (Mechanical).
“Aspiring students keen to ensure their employability are opting for Flinders degrees which will equip them with the skills to make them stand out from the pack, in fields where there’s a real need for graduates ready to hit the ground running,” she said.
In a statement, SATAC said applicants still had time to make decisions about their study plans for 2023.
“Many courses are still open to new applications or changes of preference,” it said.
SATAC said more offers would be made throughout January and February, subject to course availability.
FREYA GLAD SHE MADE THE SWITCH
Freyja Leinonen
23
Ridgehaven
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Mechanical and Advanced Manufacturing)
UniSA
ATAR – 70%
Freyja Leinonen is heading for a career in the defence industry helping to build navy frigates at Osborne through her studies at UniSA.
The 23-year-old from Ridgehaven will graduate next year with a Bachelor of Engineering specialising in mechanical and advanced manufacturing after first deciding to study software engineering.
The former St Aloysius College student spent a year doing the degree before deciding it was the wrong choice for her.
“I chose STEM because I really enjoyed maths and physics at school,” she said.
“I went straight to university and started software engineering but it wasn’t for me.
“I was still really just a kid and didn’t do the right research about what sort of degree I really wanted to do.
“It didn’t really interest me and it didn’t motivate me to do the work. I wasn’t excited about my future.
“I just felt like I was sitting behind a computer and not getting to experience anything practical.”
Freyja decided to quit the degree and spent 12 months in the United Kingdom, working in a pub as a barmaid and waitress in the English county of Hertfordshire.
“I got to know myself better and started doing some research into different fields of engineering and decided on mechanical engineering,” she said.
“I came back and started studying at the UniSA campus at Mawson Lakes.”
For Freyja it was the right decision.
“I have loved every minute of it, apart from when Covid disrupted everything,” she said.
“I would rate my experience at UniSA ten out of ten.
“I felt like I was really cared for and wasn’t just another student.
“I was looked after by all my teachers.
“They cared about our education so much”
For Freyja, the move to study engineering has paid dividends.
“I have been offered a graduate position with BAE Systems at Osborne working on the navy frigate program,” she said.
“I’ve also become a student ambassador for Engineers Australia.”
Freyja said one of her biggest objectives was to encourage other young women to pursue a career in engineering.
“It just provides fantastic opportunities for us,” she said.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Most popular programs by first preference applications
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Primary Education / Secondary Education / Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Midwifery
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)
Bachelor of Aviation (Pilot)
Bachelor of Construction Management
UniSA Foundation Studies
Highest number of offers:
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Human Movement
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Secondary Education (Honours)
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) – additional places have been opened
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
Bachelor of Midwifery
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Construction Management
Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
UniSA Foundation Studies
Highest ATAR cut-offs
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging)
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy)
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine)
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science/Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Midwifery
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Double Degrees
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
New programs
Bachelor of Digital Business, in partnership with Accenture
Pharmacy (Honours) with Pharmaceutical Science
Architecture Bachelor and Masters degree (leading to professional accreditation)
Bachelor to Master pathway in Business
Bachelor to Master pathway in Communication
JOEL LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING HANDS ON
Joel Sweet
20
Woodville West
Bachelor of Exercise Science
Masters of Exercise Physiology
Flinders University
ATAR – 78%
Sports science appealed to Joel Sweet when he was doing his year 12 SACE research project at Adelaide High School into football statistics.
Now the 20-year-old is at Flinders University studying to become an exercise physiologist after being admitted through the Year 11 results pathway introduced during the pandemic.
Joel spent his first year in 2022 dividing his time between the university’s Sturt and Bedford Park campuses.
He will spend four years completing a Bachelor of Exercise Science degree and Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology.
“I chose Flinders because it was the only uni to have the master’s degree as well and more of a clinical setting,” he said.
“I didn’t know what to expect from the start but it’s been really enjoyable.”
Joel said he became interested in sports science when he visited AFL clubs as part of his research project.
“I thought I wanted to become a physio but the more I looked into it, the more I thought about becoming an exercise physiologist,” he said.
“Rather than just treating people it’s more about creating exercise programs for certain populations of people with conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer.”
Joel said he was satisfied with the standard of education he was receiving at Flinders.
“I am really happy with it,” he said.
“There’s always going to be topics you don’t like as much but for the most it has been enjoyable.
“I most like the hands on ones where we get to practise what we are being taught.”
Asked how much he would rate Flinders out of 10, Joel replied: “I would give it eight or nine”.
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Most popular programs by first preference applications
Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Paramedic Science
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry
Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Highest numbers of offers
Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration)
Bachelor of Medical Science
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Engineering (suite)
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Bachelor of Paramedic Science
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Creative Industries
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Information Technology suite
Bachelor of Laws/Laws & Legal Practice
Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design)
Bachelor of Criminology
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Highest ATAR cut offs
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) (Honours)/Master of Engineering
Management
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Chemical Sciences)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program for High Achievers
Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Plant Science)
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours)/Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Bachelor of Paramedic Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) (Honours)/Master of Engineering (Civil)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences (Honours)
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) (Honours)/Master of Engineering
(Mechanical)
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry
New courses
Diploma in Sport Management, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Game Production)
Bachelor of Creative Industries (Music)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Forensics)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Forensics) (Honours)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Business Information Systems)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Data Analytics)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Machine Learning)
Bachelor of Medical Science (Laboratory Medicine)
Bachelor of Medical Science (Advanced)
Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Life Sciences)
Bachelor of Science (Life Sciences) (Honours)
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Systems and Security)
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Design)
Bachelor of Engineering/Master of Engineering Management
Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Optometry
ALISON CAN’T WAIT TO HEAD NORTH
Alison Teubner
22
Belair
Bachelor of Medicine
Bachelor of Surgery
University of Adelaide
ATAR – 98.55%
Alison Teubner is well advanced on her path to becoming a specialist rural medical practitioner.
Having completed four years of study at the University of Adelaide’s school of medicine, the 22-year-old from Belair is preparing to head to Port Augusta for practical experience.
“I still have two years to go, so this year I am going to be at the Port Augusta Hospital, with a GP and the Royal Flying Doctor Service,” she said.
“I will be doing obstetrics, anaesthetics, paediatrics and general practice.”
Alison, who went through her entire schooling at St Johns Grammar in the Adelaide Hills, said she was enjoying her time at the University of Adelaide.
“I applied to four universities – Newcastle, Monash, Tasmania and Adelaide – and got offers from all of them,” she said.
“I chose Adelaide because it is home and I had an awareness that I was about to spend six years studying.
“I also want to work in South Australia when I finish so it is important to go to university where you want to practise for funding reasons.”
Alison said she would “definitely” recommend the University of Adelaide to anyone wanting to study medicine.
“I want to be a rural generalist with a bit of anaesthetics and obstetrics,” she said.
“I really like how we are being taught by clinicians, I really like the degree, I am learning a lot.”
Like university students across the country, Alison was caught up in the pandemic, with lessons moving online and a reduction in personal interaction with lecturers.
However, she said while Covid had been disruptive, it had not diminished the quality of her tertiary education experience.
“My cohort was lucky because we had already done our first year before the pandemic so we had that opportunity to bond and get to know each other,” she said.
“We have been doing the whole thing together since and in a way it is still very much like school where you are with your friends.”
Alison said she had especially enjoyed spending time in the University of Adelaide’s medical school on North Tce, near the SA Medical and Research Institute.
“It is a really great place to go to learn medicine,” she said.
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Most popular programs by first preference applications
Bachelor of Medical Studies
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Sciences (Veterinary Biosciences)
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)
Highest Numbers of Offers
Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Medical Studies
Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Advanced)
Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Pathway
Bachelor of Law
Courses with the highest ATAR cutoffs were not provided by the University of Adelaide.
No new programs were started.
Masters of the uni merge: Top Adelaide, UniSA chiefs’ new jobs unveiled
Top staff at both the University of Adelaide and UniSA have been named to the leadership team ahead of the two institutions completing their merger. See the list.
Read more
Goers: What Adelaide Uni’s new, new normal really means
You know you’ve taken corporate-speak to new levels when even the education minister can’t work out what you’re talking about, writes Peter Goers.
Read more