Futures and Pathways – Year 12 timeline

Futures and Pathways – Year 12 timeline

Term 1

Careers and Tertiary Expo at MLC School

  • Wednesday 2 April, 6pm – 8pm (Level 1, Senior Centre)
  • 7pm – 7.40pm (Level 3, Senior Centre) Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) presentation: applying to university, how the ATAR is calculated, admissions schemes and more
  • 40 exhibitors (universities, vocational, industry groups)
  • A must for Year 12 students and parents

UAC opens 2 April – Universities Admissions Centre

  • UAC processes applications for undergraduate courses at universities in NSW and ACT.
  • UAC will email HSC students a pin Wednesday 2 April 2025. IB students will be able to access around July. Five course preferences can be listed. Early bird applications close Tuesday 30 September 2025. Preferences can be changed throughout the year until final lock in date in December.

Australian National University (ANU)

  • Direct Applications: Open Monday 3 March 2025, close Tuesday 13 May 2025.
  • Tuckwell Scholarship: Applications open Friday 7 March 2025, close Tuesday 8 April 2025.
  • Open Day is on Saturday 29 March 2025.

Undergraduate Clinical Admissions Test (UCAT)

  • The UCAT ANZ was established to help universities achieve greater fairness in selection. The UCAT ANZ assesses a range of abilities identified by universities as important to practicing in the fields of medicine / dentistry / clinical sciences. Bookings open Tuesday 4 March 2025 and close Friday 16 May 2025. Testing begins 1 July https://www.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/ucat-anz-test-cycle/

Term 2

Early Entry Applications

  • Applications open from June

  • Most universities (except UNSW and USYD) offer early entry schemes which are based on Year 11 marks and sometimes additional criteria such as leadership & activities. The 2024 booklet can be found on the Futures & Pathways Padlet for reference. Successful applicants receive offers from September. Students could receive multiple offers.

Law Admissions Test (LAT)

  • UNSW requires students applying for Law to sit the LAT – a selection test developed to assess your critical thinking and analytical skills, problem-solving and ability to organise and express ideas.
  • Dates TBC, typically registrations open May and close September – Click her for more information

Portfolio Entry

  • Students applying to creative and design related degrees can submit a portfolio to be considered which could help with entry if they are close to the required selection rank.
  • Allows students to demonstrate their skills, creativity and passion beyond their academic results.
  • Students can receive several points to increase their selection rank for course entry.
  • USYD, UNSW, UTS, WSU and NIDA offer portfolio entry
  • Submissions close in September

Term 3

University Open Days

  • Attend university open days to explore their study options, experience campus life, and gather essential information about courses, entry requirements, and career pathways.
  • These events provide a valuable opportunity to speak with academics, current students, and admissions staff, helping students make informed decisions about their future and ensuring they choose a university that aligns with their goals and needs. Dates TBC, typically held in around August and September.

The Educational Access Scheme (EAS)

  • EAS helps applicants who have encountered significant educational challenges in Year 11 and Year 12. It gives them the opportunity to have their circumstances considered when institutions select applicants for courses.
  • Apply via UAC using this link 

University adjustment factors

Additional points added to a student’s ATAR to increase their selection rank for university entry. These factors do not change a student’s ATAR but improve their chances of receiving an offer for a specific course.

Types of Adjustment Factors:

  • Subject-Based Adjustments
  • Equity Adjustments – Available for students experiencing educational disadvantage due to personal, financial, or health-related circumstances (e.g., through EAS)
  • Elite Athlete and Performer Adjustments – For students with significant achievements in sports or the arts.
  • School Relationship Adjustments – Some universities offer adjustments to students from partner schools or feeder schools.

How They Work:

  • Universities set their own adjustment factor policies.
  • A student’s selection rank (ATAR + adjustment factors) is used to assess their eligibility for courses.

Throughout 2025

Presentations will be organised from UNSW, USYD, UTS, MACQ, Notre Dame. Also, old girls and industry groups will share visit to share their study and industry advice. Ms. Cilia will hold lunch sessions on various study areas such as health, engineering, business.

Individual appointments for students throughout the year with Jo Cilia (email your spares and I’ll send you a diary invite). I ask that you come with having done some research which could be through:

  1. Revisiting your careers profile in year 10: www.careeravenues.com.au
  2. Careers Exploration through your account at www.thecareersdepartment.com
  3. Explore the wealth of information on the *Futures & Pathways Padlet, watch webinars, download guides
  4. Monitor the weekly newsletter and the Monday email we send you. Register for university course specific webinars and events
  5. Visit the Good Universities Careers Guide at www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/careers-guide

– Jo Cilia
Head of Futures and Pathways