Mature-age student information
If you are (or will be) 20 years of age or more on 1 March of the year of entry (for semester one entry; 1 August for semester two consideration) you may be considered as a mature-age student, which opens up a number of more flexible entry pathways, including our new Mature-age Access Program.
Academic performance is the main criterion in the University's selection process.
The way in which your academic performance is assessed depends on your academic background:
If you have any questions about whether your academic background is suitable for an application for UWA, or if you would like some advice as to how to improve your chances of getting in, please contact the Admissions Centre. We will be happy to help.
WA Certificate of Education (WACE) or Tertiary Entrance Examinations (TEE)
The examinations taken in Year 12 in schools in Western Australia form the qualification for admission of most students to UWA.
By taking a particular combination of TEE subjects or WACE courses of study, a tertiary entrance rank, or TER*, can be produced. The TER (ATAR), a number between 0 and 99.95, enables comparison of applicants who compete against each other for places in courses at UWA.
- Standard WA school-leavers are those who are under 19 years of age by 1 March of the year that they are taking the WACE/TEE.
- Mature-age students are those who are 19 years of age or older by 1 March of the the year that they are taking the WACE/TEE.
Note: if you have undertaken any tertiary study (that is, study at diploma-level or above) you will not be competing for a place in either of the two categories above. Refer to the information on tertiary qualifications.
* You may also see or hear your TER referred to as your 'ATAR', which stands for 'Australian Tertiary Admission Rank'. In 2010 this term will replace the various terms used around the country for university entrance ranks, except in Queensland.
School leavers
To be considered a 'standard WA school-leaver' you need to be under 19 years of age by the first of March in the year that you are to achieve a tertiary entrance rank.
If you have undertaken any tertiary study (that is, study at diploma level or above) you can't be considered as a school-leaver and you'll be considered under one of the other categories described on this website.
If you are a school-leaver, to be considered for admission to UWA you need to fulfil four requirements:
- meet the requirements prescribed by the Curriculum Council to achieve the WA Certificate of Education (WACE)
- achieve English language competence
- satisfy any prerequisites. (Please note that music, undergraduate medicine and dentistry and graduate-entry medicine have some additional requirements).
- obtain a sufficiently high TER (ATAR) for entry to the University and the particular course
Full details are available in the Undergraduate Admission Requirements for School Leavers section of the TISC website. Make sure you choose the requirements for the year in which you will be entering university (usually the one after you do your WACE/TEE).
