How students can get the most from their high school rank

Griffith University offers a range of options showing how teenagers can optimise their university application to help them reach their potential

Budding university students are being offered extra ways to land spots on highly-competitive degree courses.

Adjustment factors for Griffith University courses allow high school leavers to add up to 8.00 ranks to their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) and increase their chance of a course offer.

Griffith University future students and strategic communications vice president Phillip Stork said school results were important but not the only way to show how successful someone would be at university.

“Griffith recognises that students are more than their ATAR, and our adjustment factors, guaranteed admissions scheme and VET (Vocational Education and Training) pathways reflect our values and are designed to ensure more people get the opportunity to reach their potential,” he said.

Manit Gopal and Ethan Daley are studying their dream degrees at Griffith University.

“Adjustment factors can make a significant difference in some of our highly-competitive degrees.

“If students think they are likely to get an ATAR just below the published cut-off, we suggest they look at our adjustment factor calculator – the bonus ranks could make the difference and see them get offered a place in their dream degree.”

Many students will be eligible for adjustment factors, with bonus ranks awarded for sporting achievements, and personal or financial hardship.

Griffith also considers its local communities with special schemes. Many students will be eligible for bonus ranks for studying certain subjects in year 12. Up to 6.00 ranks can be added to a student’s ATAR, which can also help provide entry through Griffith’s guaranteed admissions scheme.

Griffith also accepts VET qualifications, and an Australian Qualification Framework Certificate III, IV or Diploma allows admission to degrees.

Despite having different approaches to researching university options when they were in year 12, both Ethan Daley and Manit Gopal used adjustment factors to get into their top preference at Griffith.

The Nathan campus at Griffith University.

“Although I had multiple offers from various universities across Australia, I was confident of bagging a seat at Griffith University,” Manit said.

“Subject-based adjustment factors helped to seamlessly bridge the gap between my ATAR and the requirement, helping me land a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the Nathan campus.”

Ethan said: “I knew I wanted to do engineering since I was a young kid, so I knew that was going to be my top preference.

“My top preference was a Bachelor of Engineering at Griffith University with safety options which I would be guaranteed to get into.”

Mr Stork said they also held an Options event for students whose results weren’t what was expected.

Staff will chat online from December 13 at griffith.edu.au/options

Manit Gopal and Ethan Daley are both studying at Griffih University.

Focus on key uni terms

What’s an adjustment factor? Adjustment factors are a way for universities and other tertiary institutions to account for year 12 students’ academic achievements and personal circumstances when considering their application. They don’t change an overall ATAR – instead they act like a one-time only offer that can increase a student’s selection rank to help them get into their degree of choice. Students are only eligible for adjustment factors if they apply to university for the year after they finish year 12.

What’s the difference between a prerequisite and assumed knowledge? Prerequisites are subjects a teen must have studied previously as a condition of entry. Assumed knowledge is knowledge a teen is expected to have gained through certain subjects at school – and while it’s not required as a condition of entry to a degree, it will make the material more accessible. Apart for a few exceptions, most degrees at Griffith University only have assumed knowledge, not prerequisites, but applicants can check on the relevant degree page. If a teen doesn’t meet the prerequisites for a particular degree or they need extra support, Griffith University offer Griffith Bridging English and Foundations of Academic Writing courses.

What’s the Guaranteed Admission Scheme? Griffith University give increased opportunities and greater certainty about future study choices by offering a range of guaranteed admission options. These include schemes for teens who attain an ATAR of 80.00+ or an International Baccalaureate of 28+ or have completed a VET qualification.