Year 12 – What Happens Next? Offers, Admissions and Support

Year 12 – What Happens Next? Offers, Admissions and Support

As our Year 12 students finish classes this week, here’s what happens next – and how the Futures and Pathways team will support you right through results and offers. Please keep this on your fridge/phone to refer back to and reach out any time if you’re unsure about a step.

We’re here for you!

Ms Cilia will be available by email and for 1:1 meeting as usual during Term 4 and by email and Teams across results/offer rounds. If you need some help with creating applications (UAC, EAS etc), please come and see Ms Massara. If you’re feeling uncertain at any point, reach out early. There’s almost always a good pathway forward.

To do now (by Tuesday 30 September 2025)

  • Create your UAC account and submit/pay the early-bird processing charge ($82) by 11.59pm, Tuesday 30 September 2025. After this date the standard fee applies ($215).
  • You can change your preferences as many times as you like after you apply (no extra cost).
  • If you need assistance creating your UAC account, please see Ms Massara or email nmassara@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDATION SCHEME

Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS): an early-offer pathway based on your school’s ratings and Year 11 results. Unlike other Early Entry schemes offered by many universities, SRS is through UAC. Key SRS dates this year:

  • Closing date to apply for SRS was 5 September
  • Deadline to add SRS preferences in UAC to be considered for first SRS offers: Thursday 6 November 2025
  • SRS offers released: Thursday 13 November 2025 (more SRS offers on Thursday 27 November and Thursday 11 December 2025)
  • Not all institutions participate in SRS. Click here for more details
  • After the SRS rounds you can reorder your preferred courses/institutions

EDUCATIONAL ACCESS SCHEME 

Educational Access Scheme (EAS): if circumstances beyond your control affected Year 11/Year 12 learning, apply now. To see if you are eligible, read categories and required documents here.

  • To be considered in December Round 2 (Tuesday 23 December 2025), submit EAS application and upload documents to UAC by Monday 18 November 2025. (This is done through your UAC application)
  • Watch this video for instructions on how to apply and what you need to download/upload
  • Please email a copy of your application to Ms Cilia by Thursday 20 October so the Educational Impact Statement can completed for you. Ms Cilia uploads the EIS directly to UAC and we do not return them to students. 

RESULTS AND OFFERS

How UAC Offers Work

  • There is one offer per round: the highest preference you qualify for.
  • Students can change preferences between rounds to target different courses.
  • Early offers (Universities, SRS, portfolio schemes) can be accepted to secure a place; you can still compete for higher choices later through UAC
  • Adjustment factors (subject/EAS) can raise your selection rank; check institutions for details.
  • Preference strategy: Aspire (stretch), Likely (realistic), Safe (near‑certain).

The December–January timeline

  • Thursday 18 December 2025:
    • HSC results available from 6am (NESA) and ATARs released on UAC website from 9am.
    • IBAS (IB Admissions Score) emailed to students from 10am
    • Last chance to change preferences for December Round 2: by 11.59pm Thursday 18 December 2025
  • Tuesday 23 December 2025: UAC December Round 2 offers released (7.30am). This is the main ATAR-based offer round for many NSW/ACT universities.
  • Tuesday 30 December 2025: Change preferences deadline for January Round 1.
  • Thursday 8 January 2026: UAC January Round 1 offers released (7.30am). Further rounds continue through February. Further information on offer rounds

How to use preferences smartly (December and January)

  1. Before Thursday 18 December 2025, line up a realistic set of courses (include an ‘aspire’, ‘likely’, and ‘safe’ option).
  2. After your ATAR releases (9am, Thursday 18 December 2025), re-order preferences appropriately before 11.59pm that night for December Round 2 offers. (Guide to preferences)
  3. If you receive an offer on Tuesday 23 December 2025 accept it, then – if you want to chase a different course – re-order preferences by Tuesday 30 December 2025 for January Round 1. (Changing preferences after an offer) You can decline offers you accept at a later stage.

Aspire (1–2 choices): a stretch you’d love.

Likely (2–3 choices): realistic based on ATAR/selection rank (remember to check which adjustment factors you are eligible for to increase your selection rank)

Safe (1–2 choices): near-certain admission.

‘I’ve received an offer—what should I do?’

  • Accept any legitimate offer you receive (including early offers) to secure your place. You can still be considered for higher preferences in later rounds if you adjust your list. Do not enrol or pay deposits until you’re confident with your final choice. Early offers explained
  • You might receive one offer per round only – it’s for the highest preference you qualify for. You can accept now and keep reshuffling preferences before the next round. FAQ’s about offers 

ACCEPT Vs ENROL

ACCEPT = hold the place for now.
• No payment usually required immediately.
• Keeps options open for later rounds.

ENROL = commit to that university/course.
• Usually involves creating a student account and paying fees/deposit.
• Do this when you are confident with your choice.

Overseas applications (UK/USA) — quick recap

If you’re applying overseas, your applications should be well underway and you should have checked in with Ms Cilia several times. Key reminders:

UK (UCAS)

  • Ensure your Education section (IB qualification and subjects) is complete so your application can be assessed.
  • Early applications (Oxford/Cambridge; medicine/dentistry/vet) have a Wednesday 15 October 2025 (6pm UK) deadline. Please finalise your parts by Monday 6 October 2025 so we can submit school documents on time. (UCAS)

USA (Common App) 

  • Typical Early Action/Early Decision deadlines fall in early–mid November (many on Saturday 1 November 2025). Several students have an earlier deadline of Wednesday 15 October. This needed to be finalised with Ms Cilia prior to holidays.
  • Get teacher recommendations organised and complete the Reference Request so I can upload the counsellor reference and transcripts. If you studied elsewhere in Year 9 –Year 12, send me those reports. (CommonApp)

Other – for other countries, follow appropriate applications processes and notify Ms Cilia ASAP if you require any supporting documentation

There are many ways to reach your goal. Between UAC rounds, SRS, EAS, scholarships and overseas options, there’s a strong path for every student.

Don’t forget about Vocational Education such as TAFE, Private universities which offer Diplomas and Bachelor’s degrees with no ATAR requirements (Whitehouse, Torrens, The Hotel School, ICMS etc), and Foundation Studies or Diplomas at university colleges which can transition you into the 1st or 2nd year of a degree upon completion.

Some universities (Notre Dame, Australian Catholic University) offer FEE FREE Tertiary Preparation Programs and Foundation Studies programs which guarantee you entry into a degree on completion of a 6–12 month course.

Please reach out so we can assist you throughout the remainder of 2025.

– Jo Cilia
Head of Futures and Pathways | VET Coordinator

 – Nicole Massara
Futures and Pathways