In some cases, applicants may be considered for UOW undergraduate or UOW College entry based on post-secondary study, rather than high school results. Qualifications are assessed using the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and the Australian Government’s Country Education Profiles (CEP) to determine level and comparability. Guidance below is indicative only and does not guarantee admission.
This section applies to undergraduate and UOW College entry only. Information about using post-secondary qualifications for postgraduate admission is provided in the postgraduate admission requirements section.
Minimum study completed
Qualifications below AQF associate degree level (Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma) must be fully completed to be considered. Associate degree or higher may be considered with a minimum of 0.5 FTE completed (Law requires 1.0 FTE). Partial study below these thresholds will not be assessed for undergraduate entry.
What is FTE? Full-time equivalent (FTE) refers to the proportion of a standard full-time study load completed at the awarding institution (e.g. 0.5 FTE = half of a standard full-time year; 1.0 FTE = one full-time year). Example: If a full-time year at your university is 8 subjects, 0.5 FTE equals 4 subjects completed.
Group 1/2/3 refer to the course groupings listed above on this page.
AQF Comparability (based on CEP) |
Diploma (3-session) |
Diploma (2-session) |
Bachelor’s degree (Group 1) |
Bachelor’s degree (Group 2) |
Bachelor’s degree (Group 3) |
| AQF bachelor’s degree |
- |
- |
50% |
62% |
75% |
| AQF associate degree |
- |
- |
50% |
62% |
75% |
| AQF advanced diploma (completed) |
- |
50% |
Graded - 57%; or Compentency-based |
68% |
75% |
| AQF diploma (completed) |
- |
50% |
Graded - 57%; or Compentency-based |
71% |
78% |
AQF certificate IV (completed) |
- |
Graded - 50%; or Compentency-based |
68% |
75% |
85% |
| Australian university foundation programs* |
50% |
55% |
60-65%* |
- |
- |
*Australian university foundation programs are accepted for admission to Group 1 bachelor’s degree courses (excluding nursing and education). The foundation pathway/stream must align with the intended UOW degree and course-specific prerequisites and English language requirements still apply.
Important notes
-
- Indicative marks assume a 50% pass mark. Where a different pass mark applies, UOW converts results to the Australian scale.
- Graded requirements refer to numerical results (for example, 57%). Competency-based refers to qualifications awarded on demonstrated competency rather than numerical grading.
- Entry outcomes depend on the UOW course applied for and do not guarantee admission to a specific program.
- Additional requirements may apply (e.g. prerequisite subjects).
- English language requirements apply to all applicants.
- All applications are assessed individually, in line with current UOW policies.
Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship (UES)
Applicants using postsecondary study may be automatically considered for the UES (30% tuition fee reduction) when they meet the Group 3 entry threshold, except for Australian university foundation programs, which require 85% overall.
Course exclusions and scholarship conditions apply. The UES cannot be combined with other UOW tuition fee scholarships or discounts for the same course. See the University Excellence Scholarship (UES) page for full details.
How undergraduate admission decisions are made
Applications based on postsecondary study are assessed on a case by case basis. Listed criteria and any published benchmarks are indicative guidelines only. Admission decisions are based on an individual assessment that may take into account:
-
- The level and comparability of the qualification (including institution-specific grading scales and AQF alignment)
- The content, duration and relevance of the study completed
- Academic performance
- Course-specific entry requirements
- Prerequisite subjects or discipline areas
- English language proficiency
Applicants and education agents who are unsure about eligibility are encouraged to apply. Submitting an application allows UOW’s Admissions team to assess the qualification accurately and provide advice based on current entry requirements and policies.