2024 South Australian uni offers: More than 16,500 undergraduate degree courses for new students
Ahead of the new academic year, students have been considering the debt that comes with their courses, especially as the cost of living continues to skyrocket. See the full list of offers.
Tertiary
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More than 16,500 undergraduate students will follow their educational hopes and dreams in 2024 after receiving university offers for courses which saw an increase of 500 on last year’s offers.
With the increase of offers, which includes 10,500 for school-leaver applicants, students will continue to search for university offers with the hopes of securing their preferred area of study.
A spokesperson for the SA Tertiary Admission Centre (SATAC) said medicine and health have remained the most popular areas of study, followed by humanities and social sciences.
Education Minister Blair Boyer congratulated the students who received 2024 university offers.
“This is an incredibly exciting time full of opportunities,” Mr Boyer said.
However, he said that students who did not receive an offer on Thursday must “remember there are other pathways to achieve your career goals”. SATAC is set to make another round of offers on January 24.
HECS fears amid soaring living costs
Ahead of the new academic year, students have been considering the debt that comes with their courses as the cost of living creeps higher and the housing market becomes harder to break into, an expert has warned.
Adelaide University SA Centre for Economic Studies deputy director Jim Hancock said HECS debt is “a significant issue” students consider when picking a course.
“Students are probably more than usually conscious of the financial aspect around tertiary education,” Mr Hancock said.
“Especially if people are thinking about getting into the housing market, the prospect of having a significant student debt on top of what they would need to buy a house is clearly a daunting factor.”
And Mr Hancock said it especially affects older students.
“It becomes especially relevant because they are likely to have jobs and be thinking more seriously about buying a house than a person who is straight out of school,” he said.
Flinders University student Tom Shearing said he was banking on earning a high enough salary to pay off his debt following his studies.
“I chose something that I wanted to do and I’ll pay it off with HECS later,” the 19-year-old mechanical engineering student said.
“It (the cost) crossed my mind but it wasn’t going to influence the decision I made.”
But while Tom said he was “lucky enough to be living at home (with his parents)”, students with higher costs may be impacted.
“I sympathise with people who are living in the country who have to pay to be out of home,” he said.
Tom also said students doing degrees where job opportunities “aren’t as clear” may worry about paying off their HECS.
Happy tears and cheers of joy
Twin sisters MacKenzie and Tahlia Darby are absolutely over the moon after landing their dream university offers on Friday.
The ambitious 18-year-old pair were thrilled to discover they’d both scored offers in their chosen study areas while on holiday on the Yorke Peninsula, shedding happy tears and cheers of joy as they received the news.
For MacKenzie, 2024 will bring studies in paramedicine at Flinders Uni, while sister Tahlia is locked in for clinical exercise physiology at Uni SA.
Mum Michelle described it as an “emotional” moment given both teens had their sights set on specific degrees and had balanced extracurricular activities throughout their final year of school.
“Both are going into professions where they are going to look out for others and the community but in different directions,” the proud mum said.
Disability discrimination app leads to legal job
Flinders University student Khevalin Parekh, of Aberfoyle Park, is on the path to a career as a humanitarian lawyer. During her degree she developed an app to combat disability discrimination.
In 2022 Ms Parekh was inspired to create the web-based app by one of her PhD professors with a disability, who had been denied entry to restaurants because of her assistance dog.
“Those with assistance dogs are usually refused entry even though they shouldn’t be,” Ms Parekh, 22, said.
“The app allows users to log every time they are turned away to file some sort of discrimination report against the restaurants.”
This experience led to Ms Parekh being employed by Ridgehaven-based law-firm Websters Lawyers, which specialises in civil litigation and personal injury law.
“It’s exactly what I wanted to do,” she said.
Ms Parekh said she picked up her love of advocacy from debating at Aberfoyle Park High School.
“I got a big adrenaline rush from advocating and I was really good at thinking on my feet,” she said.
While Ms Parekh is working, she is finishing an honours thesis on the regulation of AI medical devices.
“I’ve always had an interest in pursuing something in the AI sphere,” she said.
Ms Parekh, who is set to finish her thesis in April, said the key to make the most of university is to “take every opportunity”.
Placement cements path to teaching
Fellow Flinders University student Mitchell Jarrett from Aldinga Beach, 20, is studying secondary education as he said he enjoys “helping the next generation of kids”.
Mr Jarrett’s teachers and experience at Cardijn College inspired him.
“I had a couple of really good teachers in Year 12 that broke the expectations of what I saw in a usual teacher,” Mr Jarrett said. “They were really supportive of me.”
He said the collaborative environment in his university classes allowed students to “share their ideas and feedback” which helped Mr Jarrett develop early as a teacher.
“It’s a really good way to build my teaching style,” Mr Jarrett said.
It was Mr Jarrett’s first placement at Seaford Secondary School through university that cemented his path.
“It solidified the idea that I wanted to be a teacher,” Mr Jarrett said.
“I shadowed a teacher and watched him teach, I asked him a lot of questions and I got to really see a behind-the-scenes look at what they do.”
Mr Jarrett was also able to lead a Year 11 psychology class, one of the areas he hopes to focus on when he enters a full-time position.
Flinders University vice-chancellor (students) professor Romy Lawson said their course offerings for 2024 are “future ready” and provide “job-aligned pathways into a wide range of professions”.
Flinders Uni made 6585 first round offers to domestic students and there have been nearly 600 applications for their new City Campus courses including Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) honours, Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice and Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science.
The most in-demand courses at Flinders were Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Paramedicine and Bachelor of Nursing.
Courses which saw an increase in demand were Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing).
The course with the highest cut-off was Bachelor of Engineering (Software) (Honours).
University of Adelaide (UOA) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (external engagement) Dr Jessica Gallagher said she was “pleased to welcome the new cohort” of undergraduate students.
“It is wonderful to see continued strong demand for our undergraduate degree programs,” Dr Gallagher said.
UOA on Thursday made 3730 offers to undergraduate students, with more than 95 per cent of that number given to school leavers.
The University of Adelaide received 7449 domestic applications.
The most popular courses for applicants at the university were in medicine, dental surgery nursing and veterinary biosciences.
Applications for courses in law and biomedical sciences surged in popularity, which Dr Gallagher said was “driven largely by women”.
The courses with the highest ATAR cut-off was the Bachelor of Psychology Honours (advanced) which required a score of 98.
University of South Australia acting provost and chief academic officer professor Esther May said the university was growing pathways towards IT, among other areas, to address skills shortages.
Applications for associate degrees in IT, health, data analytics and engineering are among the areas in demand.
The University of South Australia made 6680 undergraduate offers, with 2600 of these students 2023 Year 12 applicants and so far 838 postgraduate places have been offered.
They also made 1085 offers for UniSA online programs, which are undertaken completely online.
The most popular courses for applicants included nursing, midwifery, medical radiation science, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
The university has seen increased interest in their Bachelor of Business degree in management, real estate practice and economics among others.
New courses for 2024 were in areas including software engineering, visual effects and the university also introduced two additional allied health offerings at their Whyalla campus.
The course with the highest ATAR cut-off was the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (medical imaging) with a score of 95.65.
Adelaide University computer science student Alex Vu, who came to South Australia from Vietnam in 2022, went from being “overwhelmed” with tertiary education to helping others fit in.
Mr Vu, 18, in his first year at university in 2023 began a project to help other overseas students fit in after he experienced coming to Adelaide without his family.
“When I first came to uni, I’m not going to lie, it was a bit overwhelming,” Mr Vu said.
“Everything seemed so new, even though I was prepared for uni.”
But now, he has developed “not only classmates, but friends and supporters”.
His program, ‘Now you are here’, provides international students with basic needs such as “kitchen stuff” and bedding.
Mr Vu hopes to continue helping others after he finishes university in 2026 in his career as a data scientist.
“It can really have a positive impact on people’s lives,” Mr Vu said.
And he has a love of maths, which Mr Vu said helps him be more patient.
“I’m not a patient person but when I’m doing maths and doing with numbers I can be sitting in front of them for hours,” Mr Vu said.
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Most popular undergraduate programs by first preference applications
Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-Registration)
Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Laws (Single and Double)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Engineering Pathway
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical)
Highest number of offers
Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences
Bachelor of Laws (Single and Double)
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-Registration)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Engineering Pathway
Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Advanced)
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Highest ATAR cut-offs
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum)
Bachelor of Psychology (Advanced) (Honours)
Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science
Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences (Advanced)
Bachelor of Science (Advanced)
Bachelor of Economics (Advanced)
Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) with Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) (Direct Entry)
Bachelor of Arts (Advanced)
Bachelor of Laws (Single Degree)
Bachelor of Computer Science (Advanced)
Bachelor of Laws (Double Degree)
Bachelor of Criminology with Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Advanced)
UniSA student Courtney Bouzikos hopes to inspire young indigenous students after her teachers supported her throughout high school.
The 19-year-old secondary education honours student, who is herself indigenous, said she wants to be a role model for young people.
“If they have the opportunity to see someone do something, who’s from their community … they can know they can aspire to do it as well,” Ms Bouzikos, from Murray Bridge, said.
The Murray Bridge High School graduate said her teachers “were just so supportive”.
“They explained to me what the real world might look like,” she said.
And a 2023 placement at the indigenous Warriappendi School in Marleston, cemented the third-year student’s decision to pursue education.
“It confirmed what I already knew, that it’s where I want to be,” Ms Bouzikos said.
“I’ve been learning about behaviour management, classroom management, planning and timetabling.”
She was even able to teach a Year 12 English class.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Most popular programs by first preference applications
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
UniSA Foundation Studies
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Primary Education
Bachelor of Secondary Education
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Midwifery
Bachelor of Laws and Law double degrees
Highest number of offers
Bachelor of Nursing
UniSA Foundation Studies
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Primary Education
Bachelor of Secondary Education
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Human Movement
Bachelor of Midwifery
Highest ATAR cut-offs
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging)
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science/ Bachelor of Pharmacy
(Honours) double degree
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine)
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Bachelor of Laws Double Degrees (Honours) (5 years)
Bachelor of Laws Double Degrees (Honours) (5.5 years)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Flinders University student Tom Shearing, 19, is set to work on the AUKUS nuclear submarine project after starting a new major for 2024.
The mechanical engineering student will study nuclear engineering, which will help him achieve his career goals.
“I’d like to work in an industry that’s pretty high tech so maybe defence or space,” Mr Shearing, from North Brighton, said.
What most appeals to Mr Shearing about engineering is “designing and constructing projects”, he said.
“I found when I was doing tech subjects in high school and I’d design a project and I’d build it over the semester,” the Brighton Secondary School graduate said.
“At the end of the semester once you’ve finished building that project, and you can see it physically, it’s pretty rewarding.”
Mr Shearing said he found university most exciting when he can “design something to solve a problem”.
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Most popular programs by first preference applications
Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Paramedicine
Bachelor of Nursing (Preregistration)
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 Social Work
Bachelor of Midwifery (Preregistration)
Bachelor of Medical Science
Highest number of offers
Bachelor of Nursing (Preregistration)
Bachelor of Paramedicine
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Vision Science), Master of Optometry
Bachelor of Medical Science
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Psychological science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Highest ATAR cut-offs
Bachelor of Engineering (Software) (Honours)
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) (Honours)/Master of Engineering (Mechanical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours)/Master of Engineering Management
Bachelor of Criminology (Honours) (City Campus, Festival Plaza)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Legal Practice Entry (City Campus, Festival Plaza)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program for High Achievers
Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) (Honours)/Master of Engineering (Civil)
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours)/Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry/Bachelor of Accounting
Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Physics)
Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Honours)/Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Legal Practice Entry (Bedford Park)
Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics) (Honours)/Master of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Plant Science)
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