I've heard there are different ways of getting in to the
course I'm interested in - is this right?
Yes, it is.
Most people know that the usual way of gaining entry to a TAFE or university course is to study a Year 12 program such as the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
However, there are other ways of getting into the course of your choice. It is particularly important for adults applying for tertiary study for the first time to know their options.
Here are some examples of common "pathways" leading to the course of your choice:
Pathways to gain entry to a TAFE Advanced Diploma:
Pathways to gain entry to a university degree:
Which of these options is the right one?
Each option has differences in terms of:
It is true that studying year 12, undertaking a TAFE course at a lower level or undertaking a bridging course at a university will delay your entry into the course you eventually want to get in to. All of these options will also have costs associated with them. However, all of these pathways are well worth considering because they will give you an excellent preparation for life as a tertiary student, and increase your likelihood of success. You will be in the habit of studying, and gain valuable study skills such as critical reading, note taking and essay writing. If you choose to undertake Year 12 studies in any Australian state and are successful, you will also have a qualification that can be used for entry to TAFE and University throughout Australia and most of the world. If you choose a TAFE qualification at a lower level as your pathway on the road to your destination, for example a Certificate IV, you will gain a respected qualification which can be used in its own right if you cannot pursue your destination course for any reason.
If you are an adult and you feel that your life experiences (work, home duties, clubs and sports involvement) have given you the communication, organisational and other skills you need to be successful as a tertiary student, pathways such as the TAFE Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS) test and the STAT can be a means of more immediate access to the course of your choice. These means, however, don't provide you with any further study skills.
Finally, if your destination is a university degree, you will find that your chosen course limits the numbers of students it takes in from each pathway. A course that admits 200 students might reserve 100 places for year 12 students, 40 places for people transferring from other university degrees 30 places for people who have sat the STAT, 20 for people who have completed a bridging course and only 10 places for people with TAFE qualifications. Another course might provide the same numbers of places for Year 12, STAT and TAFE qualified applicants. It is vital that you find out this information before spending time and money on a particular pathway to a university course.
When considering which pathway to follow to the course of your choice, the best advice is to contact the TAFE campus or University which offers the course for advice on which pathway is most advisable for you, your needs and your background.
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