Early offer beats the stress of final year studies for teenagers

University schemes aim to provide students with reassurance and reduce anxiety associated with waiting for final results. FIND OUT HOW

Student Caitlin McNee received an early offer from Griffith University last year.

Teens hoping to head to university are opting to take the pressure off final year studies by applying for an early offer.

Universities now consider factors beyond year 12 results, including year 11 academic performance, extra-curricular activities and personal achievements, reflecting a more comprehensive view of a student’s potential for higher education study.

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There has been significant growth in the number of offers Griffith University, with more than 45,000 students across five campuses in South East Queensland, has made under its early offer guarantee scheme since 2022.

The scheme saw a 109 per cent increase from 2023 to 2024, and a 151 per cent increase from 2022 to 2024.

Caitlin McNee received an early offer last year after researching the university’s website. She is in her first year of a Bachelor of Advanced Political Science and International Relations (Honours), and is also a Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient.

“I was looking through opportunities that were open to year 12 students and other pathways to get into university if, worst case scenario, my ATAR wasn’t the greatest,” she said.

“I found the early offer and looked through the requirements and knew that it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Students at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus.

The 18-year-old said the early offer allowed her to enjoy her final weeks of high school.

“It also felt quite reassuring, in the fact that someone outside of my friends and family recognised my hard work and acknowledged that fact by giving me early entry,” she said.

Her advice to year 12 students was not to stress.

“It isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get a great ATAR, There are so many more pathways to get into your desired area,” she said.

“And have fun. Yes, it is important to study but it’s also important to make great memories with your school friends because it may be the last time that you see a lot of them.”

The early offer to year 12 students to study at Griffith comes before ATAR or International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma results are released, and is available to students completing ATAR, IB, Vocational Education and Training qualifications, or Griffith Head Start – previously known as Guests – programs.

Griffith University future students and strategic communications vice president Phillip Stork said by securing a place early, students could focus more on their year 12 studies and less on the stress of university admissions, which could lead to better overall performance in their final year.

Griffith University students at the Nathan campus.

“An early offer can be for a student’s number one preference and get them on the road to their future career, or can provide them with a solid back-up plan, giving them the opportunity to get into university and consider pathways to upgrading to their preferred degree later,” he said.

Students who receive an early offer are also invited to attend Griffith’s Get Set events at the start of December to help support the transition from high school to university.

KEY DATES AND MEANINGS

What’s an ATAR? An Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0 and 99.95 indicating the position of a student in relation to their peers. An ATAR of 80 does not mean a student got 80 per cent. Instead, it indicates they placed within the top 20 per cent of their age group.

What is QTAC? Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) administers the application and offer processes for places at tertiary or higher education providers.

What are preferences? When students apply through QTAC, they will be asked to select up to six preferences, with their first being the degree they want to study most. It’s designed to help keep options open as students decide what they want to study.

What’s an offer round? Offers for undergraduate degrees are released on specific dates, known as offer rounds, and are listed on the QTAC website. As a general rule, the earlier a student applies, the more offer rounds they’ll be considered for. Applicants only receive one offer per round – generally their highest eligible preference – with a response needed by a certain time.

Key dates for 2025: Applications now open via QTAC for Queensland tertiary institutions; October 14: Final date to apply for an early offer; October 31: Final date to submit documentation for the November 15 offer round; November 11: Last day for applicants to change preferences to their preferred degree; November 15: Final QTAC early offer round; December 3 and 5: Get Set event for early offer recipients.

griffith.edu.au/apply/guaranteed-admission-scheme/early-offer