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Applying to QTAC 2021Paul Carr

What is QTAC? A not-for-profit organisation Owned by seven Queensland universitiesWhat do we do? Provide information about tertiary study and coursesAssess approximately 75,000 applications per yearMake offers in 1,700 undergraduate courses on behalf of 16 institutionsCalculate and award ATARs.QTAC is here to help match applicants with an opportunity that isright for them.

QTAC makes offers on behalf of these institutions

Looking to study UTas

ADMISSION CRITERIA5

Admissions CriteriaAdmissions rules vary: Institutions determine their ownadmissions rules and QTACimplements them Rules are applied consistentlywithin institutions, but ruleschange from institution toinstitution

EligibilityHave you met the minimumentry requirement?System moves tothe next preferenceSystem beginsto check meritMeritIs your rank above theminimum?Application goes on to competewith all other applicants on thebasis of rankSystem moves tothe next preference

What are the eligibilityrequirements?They may include: Age requirementsSubject prerequisitesPortfolio, audition or interviews*Essays or personal statements*Questionnaires or exams* (medicine anddentistry may require UCAT)* Check early closing dates

How is merit determined?Applications are allocated ranks based on theirassessable qualifications.These assessable qualifications may include: Year 12 OP and ATARs (QLD and Interstate) Overseas Year 12 qualifications Tertiary study – Bachelor/Masters (min 2subjects required) Completed AQF qualifications (Cert 3 and 4) Diploma, Advanced Diplomas Music, dance, drama qualifications Bridging and preparatory coursesDon’t forgetNot all QTAC applicants are 2021Year 12 school leavers

ATAR FOR TERTIARY ENTRY10

What is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)?Primary mechanism used nationally for tertiary admissions.Indicates a student’s position relative to other students.2,000 point scale from 99.95 down to 0.00.ATARs less than 30.00 will be expressed as ‘30 or less’.Will be calculated by QTAC for entry into courses in 2021.Is the new standard pathway to tertiary study in QLD.

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and the ATAR(Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) are different and have adifferent purpose.QCECertifies learning, showing theindividual has achieved a specificstandard of education at seniorschooling level and may beconsidered by employers and thegeneral community.For questions about the QCE,including assessment and subjectresults, please contact QCAA(Queensland Curriculum &Assessment Authority) atwww.qcaa.edu.auATARTells us about a student’s position (orranking) compared to all otherstudents in the state. The onlyintended purpose for the ATAR is toassist with selecting applicants fortertiary study.

ATAR Eligibility Requirements5 GeneralSubjectsOR4 GeneralSubjects pluseither: Appliedsubject CompletedCertificate IIIor HigherLevel VETQualification

English – Compulsory SubjectStudents must successfully complete one ofthe following: EnglishEnglish as an Additional LanguageEnglish & Literature ExtensionLiteratureEssential EnglishSuccessfully complete ‘C’ lettergrade or higher.No specific subjects are mandatedinclusionsin the ATAR.Don’t forgetNot all QTAC applicants are 2020Year 12 school leavers

How will VET be included in the ATAR?IMPORTANT: VET qualifications must be recorded as completed in a student’s QCAA learning account to be included inFor example, Cert III inthe ATAR calculation.Each VET qualification levelwill have a single scaledscore that can be includedin the student’s ATAR.Hospitality and Cert III inLab Skills will have the samescaled score, regardless ofduration or content.A scaled score for a VETDiploma will be higher thana Certificate IV, which in turnwill be higher than aCertificate III.15

Scaling - Overview Scaling is necessary so that student resultsin different subjects can be compared fairly. Each state in Australia uses a scalingprocess in the calculation of the ATAR. InQld, subject results are scaled by QTAC. The process involves adjusting the “raw”subject results for a given subject to allowresults for that subject to be fairly comparedwith the results from any other subject. Uses some complex mathematics tounderpin the process

Other Helpful Documents –www.qtac.edu/atarContents: Background The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) How is the ATAR calculated? Inter-subject scaling Your QCE and your ATAR The ATAR and tertiary selection VET qualifications, the ATAR and tertiary selection Subject prerequisites ATAR Frequently asked questions Steps to tertiary study Applying through QTAC After you have applied Offers Essential information Glossary of common terms

Scaling Documents – www.qtac.edu/atarPurpose: Non-technical readershipWhat is in it: Technical definitions The need to scale The ‘how’ of scaling

Scaling Documents – www.qtac.edu/atarPurpose: A technical readershipWhat is in it: Full end-to-end calculation of ATAR Includes inter-subject scaling

ATAR Report – www.qtac.edu/atarThis report provides an overview of the calculation of the AustralianTertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for the 2020 Queensland Year 12 studentcohortWhat is in it: Overview of the 2020 Year 12 Cohort Subject Scaling Results ATAR Distribution

Other Helpful Documents –www.qtac.edu/atarATAR quick factsheets: ATAR: an overview ATAR and subject prerequisites for tertiaryentrance ATAR and VET qualifications ATAR and senior external examinations OP to ATAR conversion table Tertiary entrance in 2021 – Quick referencefor students and parents

DEC18Sequence of EventsQCAA collectsUnit 3 and 4subject results &completed VETqualificationsQTAC releasesATARs andstudents accesstheir ATARaccountQTAC scalesresultsQTAC receivesraw resultsATARscalculated on aranked scale99.95 To 0.0022

ATAR CalculatorsQTAC does not endorse or support theuse of “ATAR calculators” due to thechanging nature of the student cohortfrom year to year.ATAR calculators do not use currentdata so cannot accurately predict astudent’s possible ATAR.23

Accessing ATARsqtac.edu.au/atar

How will 2021 Qld Year 12s know their ATARs? The ATAR will be communicatedto eligible Year 12 students usinga purpose-built ATAR portal. Current Year 12s can open theirATAR account with QTACwhen admissions open on 3thAugust. This includes studentswho wish to study interstate. The ATAR will be released at9am on 18 December 2020 thesame day and time as the QCAAResults. The ATAR release is an onlinerelease ONLY. There will be afacility to print the results notice.

Details entered into the ATAR Portal must match theQCAA data26

OTHER PATHWAYS FOR TERTIARY ENTRY28

There are other pathways for tertiary entryInstitutions may also consider completed VET qualifications (at Certificate III level and higher) as a basis of tertiaryadmission on their own (including non-school leavers applying for tertiary study) as summarised below:PolicyInstitution specific schedulesInstitutionQueensland University of Technology (for entry in 2021- school leavers withCert IV & above & who also graduate with a QCE, ATAR or IBD)The University of Queensland (for non-current school leavers)Australian Catholic UniversityBond UniversityChristian Heritage CollegeCQUniversity AustraliaGriffith CollegeGriffith UniversityJames Cook UniversityTAFE QueenslandUniversity of the Sunshine CoastUniversity of Southern QueenslandUniversity of New EnglandSouthern Cross University

Performing arts qualifications for admissions from 2021Non-AQF performing arts qualifications (such as AMEB awards) are not included in the ATAR calculation. However,some institutions may consider these qualifications on their own (including for non-school leavers) as a basis of admissionto tertiary study, as summarised below.PolicyInstitutionInstitution specific schedulesThe University of Queensland(for non-current school leavers)Australian Catholic UniversityChristian Heritage CollegeCQUniversity AustraliaGriffith CollegeGriffith UniversityJames Cook UniversityTAFE QueenslandUniversity of the Sunshine CoastUniversity of Southern QueenslandUniversity of New EnglandSouthern Cross UniversityInstitutions that will not accept performing artsBond Universityqualifications as a basis of admission for any category of Queensland University of Technologyapplicant

Pathways continued University might not be for everyone.If students aren’t looking at getting a university degree,a certificate, diploma or trade qualification might besomething to consider. They can offer great benefitsincluding; Starting work straight away. Practical, on the job training. Possible credit towards a degree down the track.Everyone who goes to university or TAFE is going tohave their own individual experience.Don’t forget, QTAC is here to help match studentswith an opportunity that is right for them.31

COURSES AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR32

Where are the courses for which QTAC makes offers?Go to our Course Search function on our website at www.qtac.edu.au

NB: Examples here show details for 2020 courses. Our website will be updated for2021 entry when admissions open in August. Add the criteria for the search

NB: Examples today show details for 2021 courses. Our website should beupdated late July for 2022 courses in time for when admissions open in August. Courses are listed

Take note of the informationNB: Examples today show details for 2021 courses. Our website should beupdated late July for 2022 courses in time for when admissions open in August.

Take note of the informationNB: Examples today show details for 2021 courses. Our website should beupdated late July for 2022 courses in time for when admissions open in August.

PrerequisitesAssumed KnowledgeRecommended StudyPrerequisites - You must have these subjectsat the specified level of achievement to beeligible for entry into that courseAssumed knowledge - Lecturers will pitch thecontent of the coursework assuming youhave the knowledge from the specifiedsubject at a Year 12 levelRecommended study - This knowledgewould assist you in completing the study

Subject prerequisitesSubject (Units 3 and 4, Letter Grade).For example:Physics (Units 3 and 4, C)Mathematical Methods (Units 3 and 4, C)Where English is listed as aprerequisite, the description will list allgeneral English subjects as below,then (Units 3 and 4, C): EnglishLiteratureEnglish & Literature ExtensionEnglish as an Additional Language

Primary &Early Childhood EducationScience for initial teacher educationprograms in early childhood and primarycan be satisfied by one of the followinggeneral subjects: Agricultural ScienceBiologyChemistryEarth & Environmental ScienceMarine SciencePhysicsPsychology

And just one more example.NB: Examples here show details for 2020 courses. Our website will be updated for2021 entry when admissions open in August.

Research your coursesMAY27 Torrens University - VirtualJULY24 QUT - On Campus25 QUT - Virtual31 CQU VirtualAUGUST1 UQ8 Griffith UniversityPlease check our website or theindividual institution website for moredetails on upcoming Open Days!

PREFERENCES43

What is preferencing? Preferencing is an important part ofthe application process as only oneoffer is received at a time, based onyour highest eligible preference Each application has up to 6preferences Preferences can be changed after theapplication is lodged, even after anoffer is made Each application comes with 3 freechanges as part of the application fee It is a good idea to keep onepreference change for when ATARsare released.

Ordering Preferences1st2nd3rd4th5th6thDesired CoursesCourses you want to study the mostBack-up CoursesCourses you would be happy to studyPathway CoursesCourses that will help to upgrade youinto the course you really want

Preferencing Example:1st2ndBachelor of Education (Primary) Bachelor of Education (Primary) -3rd4thBachelor of Education (Primary) Bachelor of Education (Primary) -5th6thDip of Higher Edn/B Edn (Primary) Tertiary Preparation Program -