Your guide to alternate university pathways for your child

A HIGH ATAR isn’t the only way your child can get into the course of their dreams. With VTAC applications for 2019 opening on Monday, we’ve rounded up all the different pathways available.

IF your child doesn’t get the ATAR score they need to get into their dream university course, it’s not the end of the world.

While it may seem like a matter of life and death to some teenagers, plenty of people have gone on to be successful in their chosen industry without getting into their first preference course.

From taking a gap year to trying out TAFE, there are several other options your child can explore.

MELBOURNE’S BEST CAFES FOR STUDYING

AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY RANKINGS

THE BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Year 12 is a stressful enough time without students thinking their future relies solely on their ATAR.

APPLY FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

If your child’s studies were impeded by something out of their control, such as illness, financial disadvantage, bullying, or living in a regional area, they can apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) through VTAC.

While it won’t guarantee them a place in their first preference course, it will help the university get a better understanding of the circumstances they experienced and their potential.

A list of the higher education institutions that recognise SEAS can be viewed here.

CONSIDER OTHER UNIS

VTAC gives students the option to put down more than one preference for a reason.

If your child’s ATAR renders them ineligible to gain entry to their first preference course, they will likely be offered a place in their second or third preference.

If they only put down one preference for the first round of offers, adding another uni or two that provide the same degree (with perhaps a little less prestige) will likely see them accepted in the second round.

In reality, people who are really passionate about what they’re studying are likely to succeed no matter which uni they go to.

Completing a diploma or associate degree can offer a direct pathway into a bachelor program.

GET A DIPLOMA

To bridge the gap between Year 12 and an undergraduate degree, most unis offer a diploma program.

Diploma courses typically last for between 12 and 24 months and will give your child the chance to adjust to life at university.

The beauty of diplomas is that they are available in a range of specialisations including science, communication, and IT.

In some cases, completing a diploma will even fast-track your child into the second year of a bachelor degree.

You can check out the options for Deakin, RMIT, Swinburne, Monash, and La Trobe here.

GIVE TAFE A GO

Despite what the stereotypes may have you believe, TAFE is not just for dropouts and tradies.

Research has shown that TAFE graduates have a better chance of obtaining full-time employment and typically earn higher salaries than university graduates.

All manner of programs are available at TAFE, and they tend to be more practical than university courses.

All TAFE institutions and courses can be browsed here.

The added bonus of studying at TAFE is that from January 2019, the Victorian government will cover the cost of 30 priority courses, meaning your child could end up job-ready and debt-free.

Available in areas such as nursing, accounting, and engineering, all eligible courses are listed here.

A TAFE certification can be a gateway into a variety of university courses, such as an engineering degree. Picture: Joe Castro

COMPLETE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE

Depending on the career your child wants to pursue, a two-year associate degree could be a good option for them.

They offer smaller class sizes than bachelor degrees, ensuring your child has more support and making the transition to university easier.

They’re also available in a wide range of courses from education, to business, to professional writing and editing

If your child’s still eager to get a bachelor degree, they will be able to gain credit for prior learning, meaning they’ll finish it in a shorter amount of time.

TRANSFER BETWEEN COURSES

If your child is insistent on starting university at the same time as their friends, applying for a related course with a lower ATAR requirement could be the best option for them.

Most universities offer transfers between courses, both internally and externally, giving them a plethora of study options.

For example, if they wanted to study a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Monash University, but their ATAR wasn’t high enough to get in, they could study relevant subjects such as biomedical science, chemistry, mathematics, science or English.

If they earn an average mark of 70% after completing their first year of university, they can apply to transfer into a Bachelor of Pharmacy for their second year.

Information for the requirements for course transfers are available on the relevant university’s website.

A high ATAR isn’t the only way your child can get into the course of their dreams.

TAKE A GAP YEAR

The thought of your child taking 12 months off after their VCE may send you into a panic, but taking a gap year can actually be a good thing.

A 2010 study found that Australian students who take a gap year are more likely to be motivated to complete their degree than students who went straight to university from high school.

This is likely due to the time it gives them to consider whether the course they’ve applied for is really the area they want to work in.

A gap year can also give your child the chance to learn new skills through volunteering, work, or travel.

On top of all that, course entry requirements often change based on demand, meaning if they just missed out on their dream course by a few points, waiting a year could work to their advantage.

TALK TO A CAREERS ADVISER

Having so many options available can be overwhelming.

If your child’s still at a loss as to which course of action to take, they should speak to a careers adviser.

Discussing their options with a professional should help them better understand how each choice can benefit their future.