Future Students

UWA is offering mature-aged people, with little or no previous background in tertiary study, the opportunity to commence study on a trial basis. Successfully complete a provisional enrolment program, satisfying course requirements along the way, and we'll offer you full enrolment in your degree course with credit for units already passed.

At UWA we recognise that traditional university admission requirements can sometimes present impractical and costly financial barriers that it can be very difficult for mature-age students to go back to school to complete tertiary entrance requirements and that some other pathways charge considerable up-front fees.

So, because we're serious about opening up access for more mature-age people to the leading university in Western Australia, we've introduced the UWA Mature-age Access Program:

• Study part-time or full-time
• Demonstrate your academic ability and English language competency through an approved provisional enrolment, and
• Defer your tuition costs through the HECS-HELP scheme.

Previously, we required mature-age applicants to satisfy all our admission requirements before commencing at UWA. Now we are offering you the opportunity to satisfy those requirements during your provisional, or trial, enrolment.

Who is eligible?

Mature-age Access Program enrolment is available to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, and holders of permanent humanitarian visas, aged 20 years old or more as at 1 March (for Semester One entry) or 1 August (for Semester Two entry), who:

• Have no previous study at tertiary level, or
• Have attempted less than the equivalent of one full-time semester.

People with AQF Certificate 3, Certificate 4 or incomplete Diploma studies are also welcome to apply. People with completed Diploma studies should apply through the University’s usual entry pathways.

What can I study?

Provisional enrolment is offered in the following courses (courses marked # have a mathematics prerequisite):

UWA Crawley Campus

UWA Albany Centre

Enrolment Conditions

Enrolment in the program is subject to the following conditions:

1. You will be required to complete units (subjects) worth 24 credit points (usually four six-point units) within the provisional entry scheme. Units completed at another tertiary institution cannot be included within the 24 points. You may study full-time or part-time.

2. Before your provisional enrolment can be converted to full enrolment, you must achieve at least a pass grade in units to the value of 24 points.

3. The selection of units available will be limited and must be approved by the relevant faculty. (This is to ensure you enrol in units in which you have a reasonable chance of success.)

4. You must satisfy the Universitys English Language Competence requirement before your provisional enrolment can be converted to full enrolment. Your previous qualifications (eg: Year 12 English) may be sufficient, or your may take the Special Tertiary Admissions Test before or during your provisional enrolments. Alternatively, one of the units in your provisional enrolment may be selected from a list of approved English language-rich units. Successful completion of the provisional enrolment program, including at least one language-rich unit, will satisfy the requirement.

5. For those courses with a mathematics prerequisite (marked with # in the list, above): you will need to satisfy the prerequisite before your provisional enrolment can be converted to full enrolment.

   You will be able to do this through successfully completing a mathematics enabling course. This enabling course is available without cost to you, but it must be completed in addition to your 24 points of provisional enrolment. It will not count towards your degree. If you have some background in mathematics, you may alternatively wish to take the Mathematics Competency Test, administered by UWA Extension. (Details at www.extension.uwa.edu.au)

6. Your offer in the Mature-age Access Program cannot be deferred.

What does it cost?

This program admits students to Commonwealth-supported places, in which the Federal Government pays part of the cost of tuition, and students also make a contribution.

If you're an Australian Citizen or a holder of a Humanitarian visa, you can choose to defer payment of your student contribution through the governments HECS-HELP loan scheme or pay your student contribution up-front (up-front payment attracts a 20% discount).New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents must pay their student contribution up-front. These payments do not attract a discount.

The total amount of student contribution payable depends on how many units you study and their individual discipline areas.

More information is available on the student contribution for specific units.

What support is available?

We realise that your study skills may be feeling a little rusty, so there are a wide range of study support services available, which we strongly encourage you to use to help you become a more effective, independent and articulate learner at UWA.

More than 40 Workshops run every semester. They cover everything from time management to critical thinking, grammar to exam strategies.

Peer Learning Groups are also held regularly during semester. Come prepared to share your ideas and to learn from others on how to improve your speaking and writing skills.

Drop-In sessions are available daily from 1-2pm during teaching weeks; this is a great opportunity to discuss quick questions with one of our expert advisors - no appointment necessary!

Student Appointments are also available and allow you to see an advisor in person, by email, or phone.

The Uniskills program also offers additional support, specifically for mature-aged students.

You’ll be given more information about other learning resouces and support services for students as part of the orientation and enrolment process.

What happens next?

If you’re interested in taking part in the program – and think that you meet the entry criteria apply online at www.tisc.edu.au

If you are unsure and need more information please contact the UWA Admissions Centre.