1equity.uts.edu.au�UTS:where�creaTiviTy�meeTS�Technology������

UTS:

School To

Uni GUide

What’sunilike? 03 Isunilikeschool? 05 WhatcoursescanIstudyatuni? 07 WhatcanIdowithadegree? 09 Isn’tuniexpensive? 11 CanIgetascholarship? 13 Howmuchtimedoesunistudytake? 15 WhatifIneedhelpatuni? 17 Isunijustaboutstudy,studyandmorestudy? 19

HowdoIchoosewhattodoatuni? 21 Whocanhelpmedecide? 23 Schooltouniplanner 25 HowdoIapplytouni? 27 Whatifmyatarwon’tbehighenough? 29 ShouldIgostraightfromschool? 31 Schooltounipathways 33 Wheretofindoutmore? 33 Whatdoesthatmean? 35 –Someusefulwordsandphrases

YoU won’T be in claSS all daY! con

TenTS

YoU won’T be in claSS all daY!

whaT’S

Uni

like?

�wanT�To�know�more?�

�UTS�open�Day�is�in�august�each�year:�

�www.openday.uts.edu.au

�all�nSw�&�acT�open�Days:��

�www.uac.edu.au/documents/�

�undergraduate/institutions/opendays.pdf

whaT’S

Uni

like?

WeaskedsomecurrentUtSstudentstotellusaboutwhytheywantedtocometouni,howtheydecidedwhattodo,howtheygotinandwhatstudyingatuniislike.

Mostofthemdidn’thave90-somethingatars.SomecamefromPrioritySchools.Somecomefromlow-incomefamilies.SomecametouniaftergoingtotaFEorworking.Somehaveadisabilityorotherexperiencesthataffectedtheirachievementsinhighschool.

theirstories,andtheotherinfointhisbook,areheretohelpyoudecidewhetheruniisrightforyou.Ifyou’reinterestedinunistudy,cometoanopendaywhereyoucantalktostaffandstudentsandpickupmoreinformation.

you�may�be�able�to�participate�in�U@Uni�activities�at�UTS:�see�www.equity.uts.edu.au�for�details�or�ask�your�careers�adviser.

03

aShUr“You’renotspoon-fedatuni,andtheworkisrelayedalotfaster.Itendtoleavethingstothelastminute,soatfirsttherewerealotoflatenightstryingtofinishthework!Itonlytookmeacoupleofmonthstogetintoaroutine.

thelecturersarealwaystheretohelpyou,butunlessyouapproachthemtheymaynotknowyoupersonallybecausetherearesomanystudents.thatwasabitofashockforme–inschooleveryoneknowsyou.

Beinginabiggercommunityisgood.Itgivesyoualotmoreconfidence–I’vegotsuchawiderangeoffriendsnow.It’samazingatunibecauseyouknowsomanypeopleandeveryoneissoconnected.”

ashur�went�to�school�in�Fairfield,�and�still�travels�from�there�to�uni.�he’s�studying�mechanical�engineering�and�international�Studies,�plays�violin,�and�eventually�wants��to�work�with�a�rally�team�and�live�in�italy.

Photograph by Anthony Geernaert

Notreally!You’llbetotallyresponsibleforgettingyourselftoclass,managingyourstudytime,doingyourassignmentsandgettingtheminbythedeadline.

Butthere’salwayshelpavailableifyoustrugglewithanysubjectorwiththingslikehealthandmoney–seepage17.

Uniisalotbiggerthanschool,withhugelecturehalls,hundredsofclassrooms,andplacestosocialiselikebarsandcafés.You’llgettostudyandsocialisewithlotsofdifferentpeoplefromdifferentplaces,countriesandcultures,andmakefriendswithpeoplewhoaren’teveninthesameclassesasyou.thefriendsyoumakeatuniareoftenfriendsforlife.

Youwon’tbeinclassallday–orevenallweek(checkoutthesampletimetablesonpage15).therearetwosemesterswiththreemonthsoffattheendofeachyear.

Yougetthechancetosaywhatyouthink,useyourownideasandskillsanddiscussthingswithotherpeopleintheclassandyourlecturer.

Bestofall,youcanchosewhatextra-curricularactivitiesyougetinvolvedin–fromsocialclubsandsocietiestocompetitivesportsandstudentpolitics(seepage19).

iS Uni like

School?

05�wanT�To�know�more?�LearnaboutUtSLife:www.uts.edu.au/study/unilife

whaT coUrSeS

can i STUdY aT Uni?

The�Uac�guide�(www.uac.edu.au)�is�the�best�place�to�start�exploring�the�range�of�degrees�available�at�all�universities�in�nSw�and�the�acT.�Different�universities�offer�different�fields�of�study�(subject�areas)�and�degrees�(courses�or�programs),�

and�degrees�with�the�same�name�will�be�taught�differently�in�each�university.�

Yourfirstqualificationatuniversityiscalleda‘Bachelor’sdegree’or‘undergraduatedegree’,anditusuallytakesthreetofiveyearstocomplete.

Universitieshavedivisionscalledfacultieswhichoffercoursesinparticularfieldsofstudy.UtShassevenfaculties,includingtheInstituteofInternationalStudies(IIS).IISofferscombineddegreesinwhichyoustudyanothercountry’slanguageandculture,andspendayearstudyinginthatcountryaspartofyourdegree.

Youmightchoosetoenrolinjustonedegree,e.g.aBachelorofEngineering.Or,youmightchooseacombineddegree,e.g.aBachelorandartsinCommunicationandinInternationalStudies,oraBachelorofBusinessBachelorofLaws.acombineddegreewilltakelongertocomplete,butitwillgiveyouabroaderrangeofskillsandmorecareeroptions.

Ifyou’renotsure,itispossibletochangedegreesafteryou’vestarted–seeMariamSarahandallison’sstories,andpage23.

UTS�fields�of�study:> Business>Communication>Design,architecture&Building>Education>Engineering

>Informationtechnology>InternationalStudies>Law>Nursing,Midwifery&Health>Science

�wanT�To�know�more?��UtScourseinformation:www.uts.edu.au/study

MariaM Sarah “Myaimwasalwaystoworkinafieldthathelpspeople,that’swhyIchosescienceinitially.Mybrotherdidhumanresources(Hr),andIreadhiscasestudieswhenIwasinyear12.Ithinkthatwaswhatinterestedmeinbusiness.ButIwasdiscouragedbecauseIdidn’ttakeanybusinesssubjectsformyHSC.

Ifyouhaveastrengthinanareaatschool,it’sreallyhelpfulifyoudosimilarsubjectsatuni.Havinganinterestinsomethingearlierreallyhelps,evenwithterminologyandunderstandingconcepts.Ihadtolearnalotofnewtermswithbusinessandevenscience,butIdidn’tgiveup.therearemoreoptionsandopportunitieswithacombineddegree.”

mariam�chose�Biomedical�Science�because�of�her�interest�in�anatomy,�but�she�also�had�a�passion�for�business.�She�changed�to�a�combined�degree�in�Business�and�Science,�and�hopes��to�work�in�oh&S,�consulting,�or�managing�employee�relations. 07

adegreeisessentialifyouwanttogointoprofessionslikelaw,teaching,science,architecture,engineeringandmanyothers.Forotherprofessions,likebusiness,accounting,nursing,design,Itorjournalism,havingadegreecangiveyoubetteremploymentandsalaryprospects.

Degreesarealsointernationallyrecognised,soyoucouldworkabroad.afteryougraduate,youmightalsowanttotakefurtherstudywhichcanadvanceyourcareerfurtherortakeyouintoacademicwork.

Some�career�opTionS:�>��Business�Charteredaccountant,FundManager,Broker,

FinanceManager,MarketingoradvertisingExecutive,BusinessConsultant,LeisureandtourismManager

>��Design�FashionandtextileDesigner,Interior,IndustrialorGraphicDesigner,animator,Photographer

>��architecture�architect,UrbanDesignerorPlanner,EnvironmentalDesigner,theatreSetDesigner

>��property�and�construction�ProjectManager,ConstructionManager,realEstateagentorValuer,QuantitySurveyor

>��communications�Journalist,Writer,Editor,FilmortVProducer,advertisingandPublicrelationsConsultant,WebContentDeveloper,Publisher,SocialWorker

>��education�Primary,Secondary,adultorVocationalEducationteacher,UniversityLecturer,Educationalresearcher,HrorOrganisationalLearningConsultant

>��engineering�Civil,Software,Electrical,roboticorEnvironmentalEngineer,Medicaltechnologist,Nanotechnologist

>��iT�ComputerGameDesign,ComputerNetworking,DataModellingandCommunications,DatabaseDevelopment,InformationManagement,E-commerce,Programming,telecommunicationsNetworks,ComputerSystems,WebDevelopment

>��law�Lawyer,Barrister,Solicitor,Politicaladvocate,LegalPolicyadviser,Legalresearcher,EnvironmentalLawyer,HumanrightsLawyer,CorporateLawyer,CriminalLawyer,PublicProsecutor,Judge

>��midwifery�registeredMidwife,MidwiferyresearcherorConsultant

>��nursing�Critical,theatre,Paediatric,MentalHealthoragedCareNurse

>��Science�ForensicScientist,MedicalScientist,IndustrialChemist,PharmaceuticalChemist,Physicist,Geneticist,EnvironmentalScientist,Biologist,Biotechnologist,Palaeontologist,astronomer,Zoologist

whaT can i do wiTh a deGree?

calvin “IfiguredI’dhaveayearoffbeforeIstarted,butwhenIgotacceptedIjustgotcaughtupinitanddecidedtoenrol.Icompletedthefirstsemesterandreallyenjoyedit,butIstillreallywantedtogotravelling.SoIwentbacktoByronBaytoworkandsavesomemoney,andthenwenttoEuropefortwomonths.DefinitelyoneofthebestthingsI’veeverdone,butI’mreallygladIdidonesemesterofunifirst.

Idefinitelywanttogetintofilm.Writinganddirectingwouldbetheultimategoal.I’mnotsureyetifI’llgetstraightintoworkorstudymore–astimegoesbyIfeelthreeyears’studyisnotthatlong!”

calvin�is�from�Byron�Bay,�and�came�to�UTS�through�Jumbunna’s�indigenous�assessment�program.�he’s�studying�media�arts�and�production,�and�has�been�combining�work�and�study�(and�travel!)�since�he�started.�Ultimately,�he�wants�to�be�a�film�writer�and�director,�but�hasn’t�decided�where�in�the�world�he�wants�to�be�yet. 09

a�university�education�does�cost�money:�there�are�course�fees,�expenses�for�materials�and�textbooks,�and�also�joining�

fees�for�some�social�activities.

Ifyou’reanaustraliancitizen,PermanentresidentorNewZealandCitizen,youcanstudyyourdegreeonaCommonwealth

SupportedPlace(CSP),whichmeansthatthefederalgovernmentpayspartofyourcoursefeesandyoupaytherest.

thepartyoupayiscalledyour‘studentcontribution’(orfees).

thecostofyourstudentcontributionwilldependonyourareaofstudyandthesubjectsyoutake.thefollowingtableisaguidetothecostoffulltimestudy(usually8subjectsperyear,or48creditpoints)inaCSPplaceatUtS.themostup-to-datefigurescanbefoundunder‘Fees’intheundergraduatesectionoftheUaCwebsite(www.uac.edu.au).

�how�Do�i�pay�my�coUrSe�FeeS?��Moststudentsborrowthecostoftheirfeesfromthefederalgovernment.thisloanschemeiscalledHECS-HELP,andisavailabletoallaustraliancitizensandPermanentresidentsonhumanitarianvisas.toapplyforHECS-HELP,youwillneedataxFileNumber(tFN)fromtheaustraliantaxOffice(atO).

Youdon’thavetostartpayingbackyourHECS-HELPloanuntilyouareworkingandearningover$44,912peryear(2010-11figure–forthemostup-to-dateearningthresholdseewww.ato.gov.au).

IfyouarenoteligibleforHECS-HELP,youwillneedtopaythefullamountforthesubjectsyouareenrolledinatthebeginningofeachsemester.

iSn’T Uni expenSive? �wanT�To�know�more?�

www.uts.edu.au/study/fees.html

11This�fee�can�be�deferred�using�hecS-help,�see�opposite�page�for�more�information.

BanD areaS�oF�STUDy maximUm�FUll-year�STUDenT�conTriBUTion�(2011)�

Nationalpriority Mathematics,statistics,science $4,355

Band1 Humanities,behaviouralscience,socialstudies,foreignlanguages,visualandperformingarts,education,nursing

$5,442

Band2 Computing,builtenvironment,health,engineering,surveying,agriculture

$7,756

Band3 Law,dentistry,medicine,veterinaryscience,accounting,administration,economics,commerce

$9,080 11

if�you’re�living�on�a�low�income,�or�need�to�move�to�Sydney��to�study,�or�have�an�ongoing�medical�condition,�or�you�are��an�indigenous�australian�student,�you�may�be�eligible�for��

a�scholarship.

thegovernmentalsosupportsUtSstudentsthatarestudyingfull-time.theStudentStart-UpScholarshipispaideachsemestertoeligiblestudentsreceivingastudentsupport

paymentthroughCentrelink(Youthallowance,austudyoraBStUDY).therelocationScholarshipsupportsstudentswho

havetoliveawayfromthefamilyhometostudy.tofindoutmorevisitwww.centrelink.gov.au

theUtSDiversityaccessScholarshipisavailabletoforstudentswhoshowtheyareexperiencingfinancialhardship.IfyouareanIndigenousstudentthenyoumaybeeligibleforaCommonwealthScholarship.tofindoutmoreaboutthesetwoscholarships,visitwww.uac.edu.au/equity

UtSalsorewardsachievementandoffersscholarshipstohighachievingstudentswithafinancialneed.Forexample,theViceChancellor’sMeritScholarshipsarevaluedat$12,500eachyearforthelengthofthecourse.

OtherexamplesofscholarshipsatUtSincludetheco-operativeprogramsinIt,accountingandengineering,sportsscholarshipsforeliteathletesandawardstothetopschoolleaverentrantstoBachelorofBusiness,UtS:ScienceandUtS:Law.

can i GeT a ScholarShip?

�wanT�To�know�more?������������www.uts.edu.au/study/scholarships

13

SerGio “IpartlycametounibecauseIsawthedifferencethatadegreemadetomymum.Mum’snowapartnerintwolawfirms.Shecouldn’thavedonethatwithoutgoingbacktouni,andit’smadeabigdifferencefinancially.

IgottheViceChancellor’sScholarship,andbecauseI’dworkedandreceivedCentrelinkIalsogottheCommonwealthScholarship.Iliketotravel,soIstillworkinthevacationsascivilengineeringstudentonminesitesaroundaustralia.

therearealsosmallgrantsavailablethroughuni,andyoucanapplyforvoucherstowardstextbooks.FinancialServicesalsoofferloans,soyoucanalwaysgethelp.Ifeelthatthehelp’sthereifyoulookforitandyou’rewillingtostudy,sointhatsenseUtShasbeenreallygoodatclosingthegap.”

Sergio�wasn’t�sure�he’d�ever�get�to�university�–�he�was�expelled�in�year�12�and,�while�he�took�his�hSc,�he�didn’t�do�well.�his�mum�had�returned�to�university,�and�helped�find�alternative�pathways�into�UTS.�Sergio�is�now�studying�civil�and�environmental�engineering. 13

�whaT�mighT�my�Uni�TimeTaBle�look�like?�

�wanT�To�know�more?���www.uts.edu.au/study/unilife

how MUch TiMe doeS Uni

STUdY Take?

Undergraduatedegreesusuallytakebetween3and5years,full-time.Ifyoustudypart-timeyoucantakeuptotwiceaslongtofinish,butyouwillbeabletospendmoretimeworkingorcaringforyourfamily.

thehoursyouspendintheclassroomwilldependonyourdegree.You’llalsospendconsiderabletimestudyinganddoingassignmentsoutsideofclass.

Ifyoustudyfull-time,youwillgenerallytake4subjectseachsemester.Eachsubjectisworthcreditpoints,whichcounttowardsyourdegree.Ifyoufailasubject,youcanre-takeit(thoughyouwillhavetopayforitagain).

Inmostdegrees,you’llhaveacombinationoflectures,tutorials,workshops,laboratories,groupworkprojects,individualstudy,research,assignmentsandexams.

Youcan‘speedup’yourdegreebytakingsubjectsinsummerschool,orslowitdownbytaking3,2orevenjust1subjectinanysemester.

�iF�yoU’re�STUDying�engineering,�yoUr�weekly�TimeTaBle�mighT�Be:�

�iF�yoU’re�STUDying�commUnicaTion�(JoUrnaliSm)�anD�inTernaTional�STUDieS,��yoUr�weekly�TimeTaBle�mighT�Be:�

9am

10

11

12pm

1

2

3

4

5

GermanLanguageandCulture1(Seminar1)

ComparativeSocialChange(tutorial1)

Comparative Social Change (Lecture )

Media, Information & the Law (Lecture)

GermanLanguage&Culture1

Media,Information&theLaw(Lecture)

monDay TUeSDay weDneSDay ThUrSDay FriDay

monDay TUeSDay weDneSDay ThUrSDay FriDay

5

9am

10

11

12pm

1

2

3

4

PhysicalModelling(Practical)

PhysicalModelling(Lecture1)

EngineeringforSustainability(tutorial)

MathematicalModelling(tutorial)MathematicalModelling(Lecture2)

IntroductiontoCivilEngineering(Lecture1)

EngineeringforSustainability

EngineeringforSustainability

MathematicalModelling

15

whaT if i need help aT Uni? if�you�need�personal�help�UTS�and�other�unis�have�Student�Services�which�offer�counselling,�health,�careers,�financial�and�housing�help�(www.ssu.uts.edu.au).

Ifyouneedacademichelp,yourlecturersandStudentServicesarealwaystheretohelpyou.UtSstudyhelpprogramsinclude:

ELSSa(EnglishLanguageStudySkillsandassistance)–foracademicwritinghelp

LibraryServices–forresearchandsubjectareahelp

U:PaSS–tutoringfromotherstudentswhohavepassedyoursubject

ScienceLearningCentres–drop-inhelpwithmaths,chemistryandphysics

StudentServicesWorkshops–forlifeskills,careerandstudysuccess

Youcanfindtutorstogiveyouextraone-on-onehelpwithyourwork.atUtStheStudents’associationkeepsalistoftutors.

Youcantakeshortcoursestobringyouuptospeedwiththingslikecomputingorlanguageskills,eitheratuniorwithanotherinstitution,liketaFE.

iF�yoU�have�a�DiSaBiliTy��theSpecialNeedsServiceprovidesarangeofservicesforindividualstudentswithdisabilitiesorillnesses,includingmakingsurethatanyprovisionsyouhadfortheHSCarealsoprovidedatuni.It’sagoodideatocontactthemwhenyou’rethinkingofapplying�(www.ssu.uts.edu.au/sneeds).WhenyouapplythroughUaCforanEducationalaccessScheme,yourdisabilitywillbetakenintoaccount.

iF�yoU�are�oF�inDigenoUS�or��TorreS�STraiT�iSlanD�DeScenT�JumbunnaIndigenousHouseofLearningofferssupportincludinghelpwiththeapplicationprocess,ongoingpersonalandstudyskillssupportandfinancialassistance.Formoreinformationtalktoyourcareersadviserorvisitwww.jumbunna.uts.edu.au

�wanT�To�know�more?�www.ssu.uts.edu.au

eliaS

17Photograph by Anthony Geernaert

“StudentServicesweregreat,especiallywithprovidingnotetakers.Itjustmadeattendinglecturessomucheasier,asIdidn’thavetostrainsohardtolistenandtakenotesatthesametime–somethingwhichI’mnotexactlyaproat.theyalsobroughtovermostofmyspecialconsiderationswhichIhadfortheHSCexamsandimplementedthemintomyunicoursework.

anotherhugehelpwasthewaytheyarrangedformetobegrantedextratimewithassessmentdeadlines–shouldIeverneedit–withoutanypenaltyonmygrades.Ibarelyusedthis,buttherewereafewtimeswhenIhadnochoice–soIwasthankfulforit.

elias�came�to�uni�through�the�UTS�educational�access�Scheme�(inpUTS),�and�has�a�hearing�impairment.�he�graduated�from�a�combined�Bachelor�of�communication�(Journalism)�and�international�Studies�in�2008�and�is�now�a�journalist�at�the�hornsby�and�Upper�north�Shore�advocate.�he�wants�to�become�a�foreign�correspondent�(preferably�in�the�middle�east),�and�write�a�novel.�

iS Uni jUST aboUT STUdY, STUdY and More STUdY?

JUST�a�Few�oF�The�UTS�SocieTieS�…

>animeClub>ExposurePhotographyClub>Progsoc–ComputerProgrammersSociety>MediterraneanSociety>MuslimSociety>Outdooradventure>PeerNetworkers>SoccerClub>trOUtSDramaSociety>UltimateFrisbee>VietnameseStudentsassociation>YoungDisciplesofJesus

…andover90morecultural,social,politicalandreligiousgroups!

Notatall!Infactmoststudentssaythatmakingnewfriendsandgettinginvolvedindifferentactivitieswasasimportanttothemasstudy,becauseithelpedthembecomemorematureandreadyforthefuture.

Goingtounigivesyouthechancetotrynewthingsandgetinvolvedinactivitiesyoumightneverhavethoughtof,ordidn’thavetheopportunitytodobefore.andyoucancontinuedoingthethingsyouarealreadyinterestedin.

Yourfirstsemesteratuniwillstartwithan‘orientation’week–called‘O’Week.You’llgetyournewtimetableandgototalksaboutstudyandsocialactivities.

‘O’Weekisalsoagreattimetogetinvolvedinasocialgrouporsportsclub–alltheclubshaveinformationstands,soit’seasytoseewhat’sonofferandsignup.

Forthefirstfewweeksofsemester,UtSPeerNetworkersroamthecampusinoranget-shirts.theyaretheretogivedirectionsandanswerquestions–soifyou’relostandconfused,lookforthebrightoranget-shirts!

�wanT�To�know�more?�www.utsunion.uts.edu.au

19

criSTY “Ithinkit’sagreatideatojoinsomethingatO-weekornearthestartofyourdegree.Itgetsyounetworkingwithdifferentpeopleandmayopenupotheropportunitieslateron.

IstartedtaeKwonDoandIalsojoinedBlastwhichispartoftheUnion.Itaimsistoletstudentsknowwhateventsaregoingonsuchasfreemovies,themeweeks,partiesetc.

thebestthingaboutuniisthevarietyoflife,thefriendsandthefreedom(especiallyifyoudomoveawayfromhometocometouni,althoughcookingforyourselfisalittleoverrated).Idon’tthinkyouwouldeverbeabletoexperiencethisinquitethesamewayatanyotherstageofyourlife,andit’sworthmakingthemostofit.”

cristy�moved�to�Sydney�from�narrabri�to�study�the�Bachelor�of�nursing.�She�knew�hardly�anyone�in�Sydney�when�she�arrived,�but�found�heaps�of�new�friends�when�she�moved�into�student�accommodation�and�got�involved�in�the�peer�network�and�other�clubs. 19PhotographbySherranEvans

LookattheUaCGuide,orlookonline,togetanideaofavailablecoursesatdifferentuniversitiesthatmatchthejobsyou’veidentified–andthinkaboutdoingacombineddegreetogiveyourselfmoreoptions.

remember,youonlyneedtochoosewhattodonext.It’slikelythatyourcareerpathandthekindofjobsavailabletoyouwillchangeinthefutureinwaysyoucan’tpredictnow,soyouwon’tbe‘stuck’foreverwithwhatyouchoose.

You’llprobablyhavesomeideaalreadyofwhatyou’regoodatandwhatyouenjoy.

Years9-12isthetimetothinkaboutwhatyou’dliketodoafterschool.talktolotsofdifferentpeople–especiallypeopleincareersyouthinkyoumightliketoenter.

thesubjectsyoulikeandaregoodatintheHSCwillalsobethethingsyoucouldfocusonforuniandyourfuturecareer.Choosingsomethingyouenjoyalsousuallymeansyou’llfinditeasiertodowellinit–whenstudyingandwhenworking.

LookatjoblistsandtheJobGuidetogetanideaofwhattypesofworkmatchthethingsyoulikeandaregoodat.Dothejobsyou’reinterestedinneedadegree?

how do i chooSe whaT To do aT Uni?

21

alliSon “alotofstudentsfeelthattheyshouldknowwhattheywanttodofortherestoftheirlives.Butuniisaboutdiscovery.

InfirstyearItravelledaroundEuropeandfellinlovewithit;Iwantedtorelocateandcontinuemystudyoverthere.ButIfoundoutaboutInternationalStudies,andrealisedthatIcouldcombinegoingoverseaswithstudy.IstudiedSpanishandwenttoSpain.LanguagewasnevermystrongpointatschoolsoIstruggledquiteabitatfirst,butnowI’mconsideringaMastersinLinguistics,whichI’dneverhaveconsideredatschool.

Itjustshowsthatit’simportanttochoosesomethingyou’repassionateaboutandnotstressaboutthefuture–yourpathmightchange.”

allison�started�with�a�UTS�combined�degree�in�law�and�communication.�in�first�year�she�realised�she�didn’t�want�a�career�in�law,�and�switched�to�communication�and�international�Studies.�She�graduated�in�2009�and�now�works�for�UTS.�her�next�goal�is�to�teach�english�in�South�america. 21

get�the�facts�from�people�who�know,�and�talk�to�as�many�different�people�as�you�can.�you�will�hear�a�lot�of�advice�based�

on�their�personal�experiences,�so�remember�that�what�feels�right�for�you�is�most�important.

and�if�you�change�your�mind�after�you�start�uni,�you�can�still�apply�to�change�courses,�or�even�unis.

Some�qUeSTionS�To�aSk�yoUrSelF>WhatsubjectsdoIlike?>WhatjobscanIdothatusethosesubjects?>WhatjobswouldIliketodo?>Whatqualificationsdothosejobsneed?>Whatdegreeswillhelpmegetintothatfield?>WhatuniversitiesofferthekindofdegreesI’dliketodo?>Whichunislooklikemykindofplace?

Some�qUeSTionS�To�aSk�people�who’ve�Been�To�Uni>Whatdidyoulikeanddislikeaboutyourdegree?>Whatwasyouruniversitylike?>Howdidyougetintouni?>Howdidyoudecidewhatcourseandwhatuniwasbestforyou?>Whatdoyouwishyou’dknownbeforeyouwenttouni?

who�To�aSk>Studentsandstaffatuniopendays>Careersadvisersandteachers>Friendsandfamily

who can help Me decide?

wanT�To�know�more?�www.uts.edu.au/study/careers.html

2323

�year�10�> DecideonyourHSCsubjects–dowhatyou’regood

atandwhatyouenjoysoyougetthebestatar.> thinkaboutwhatyoureallylikedoing–

andwhatyoudefinitelydon’twanttodo.> Makealistofpossiblecareersandresearchthem–

there’sahandylistatwww.uts.edu.au/study/careers.html> Startresearchingaboutuni,taFEandwork

(you’llfindusefulwebsitesonpage33).> Dosomeworkexperienceinareasthatinterestyou.

�year�11�> Visituniopendays.> talktoyourcareersadviser.> talktootherpeoplewhocanhelpyoudecidewhat

tostudyandwhichuniversitiesmightbebestforyou.> Keepanotebookforideasfromconversations,

yourunivisitsandwhatyoufindontheweb.

> Makea‘firstdraft’listofyourpreferencesforcoursesandunis.> Findouttheataryouneedandworktowardsachievingthat

(rememberthatthefinalatarcut-offforanycourseyoulookatwillonlybeaguide–theychangeeachyear).

�year�12�> re-visittheunisyou’reparticularlyinterestedin.> DecideonyourUaCcoursepreferences.Yourfirstpreference

shouldbethecourseyoumostwanttodo,evenifyou’renotsurewhetheryou’llgetintoit.

> LodgeyourapplicationwithUaCandcheckapplicationdatesforEducationalaccessSchemesandscholarships.

> Decidewhatyou’lldoifyoudon’tgettheataryouneed–willyougototaFEandapplyagainlater?Enrolinoneofyourotherpreferencesandtrytochangecourseslater?Workforawhile?

School To Uni planner �Do�yoUr�BeST�in�The�hSc!�

25

how do i applY To Uni?

Makesureyoulistthecourseyoumostwanttodoasyourfirstpreference.Youmightgetahigheratarthanyou’reexpecting,soit’simportanttolistyourpreferencesinorderofthecoursesyoumostwanttostudy,notinorderofthecoursesyouthinkyou’remostlikelytogetinto.

applicationsforsomecoursesmayalsorequireaportfolio,interview,personalstatementoraudition-checktheUaCguidefortheserequirements.Ifyouneedtohaveaninterview,auditionorpresentaportfolioforyourcourse,youwillbeinvitedtotheuniversityinNovemberorDecember.

Youwillbeofferedaplaceinthefirstcourseonyourlistforwhichyouachievetheatarcut-off(thisiswhyyourorderofpreferenceissoimportant).

MostoffersaremadeinJanuary.Unisalsomakelate-roundoffersinFebruarytoasmallnumberofcoursesthatstillhavevacancies.

�wanT�To�know�more?�www.uac.edu.au

InNSWandtheaCt,youapplyforunithroughtheUniversityadmissionsCentre(UaC)inSeptemberoftheyearbeforeyouwanttostartyourdegree.

YoualsoapplythroughUaCforeducational�access�Schemes�andequity�Scholarships–checktheUaCwebsitetoseeifyouareeligible.

ForIndigenousaccessSchemes,youneedtoapplythroughUaCanddirecttotheuniversity.atUtS,Jumbunnacanassessyourskillsandhelpyouapply,seewww.jumbunna.uts.edu.au

FillouttheonlineUaCapplicationformwithyourpreferencesandsenditinbytheclosingdate(usually30September).(YoucanputinyourUaCapplicationupuntilthefirstweekofthefollowingFebruary,butyou’llhavetopayanextrafeeafter30September.)

rebecca

27

“InYear12mycareersadvisorgotreallysick,andalsothereisn’tagoodinternetserviceinOberonsoIcouldn’tjustGoogleinformation.

MyoldersisterbroughtmetoSydneyfortheopendaybecauseIneededtoseewhatuniwaslikebeforeIcame!theopendaymadeabigdifference.therewerestallsfromdifferentfaculties,andyoucouldtalktothemaboutanything.theytoldmeaboutalotofcareeropportunities,anditwasgoodjusttotalkfacetofacewithsomeone.

ItwasdauntingwhenIstarted–Iwassoshy,butnowIjustloveit.thestudy,thedifferentpeopleyoumeet,theguestlecturers–peopleIneverthoughtI’dmeet.It’sfantastic.”

rebecca�came�to�UTS�from�the�small�town�of�oberon,�50km�from�Bathurst.�Up�to�year�10�she�was�in�a�school�with�just�70�pupils.�She’s�about�to�complete�her�degree�in�environmental�Science,�and�has�applied�to�study�for�another�five�years�in�the�field�she’s�always�wanted�to�work�in�–�veterinary�science.

taFEoffersthetertiaryPreparationCertificatewhichisrecognisedasauniversityadmissionqualification.Ifyoudidn’tdoyourHSCorwouldliketodoitagain,taFEalsodoesaStatementofattainmentinHSCStudies(seeDaniel’sstory,page29).

OpenUniversitiesaustraliaoffersbridgingandundergraduatecoursesbydistancelearning,whichcanleadtoadegree.

SometaFEanduniversityaffiliatedcollegecertificatesanddiplomascanhelpyougetintoadegreewith‘advancedstanding’,whichmeansyoucouldenterthesecondyearofyourdegree.

Ifyouthinkyouratarmightbelowbecauseyou’veexperiencedproblemsordisadvantagesduringyourHSC,youmaybeeligible

toapplythroughtheEducationalaccessScheme(EaS).UtSreservesplacesforEaSapplicantsinmostundergraduate

courses.Eligibleapplicantsreceiveaconcessionof10atarpointsonthenormalcoursecut-off.Inaddition,studentsfromschoolsingovernment-targetedequityprogramsautomatically

receivethe10pointatarconcessiononcoursesselectedatUtS.

IfyouapplyasanEliteathleteorPerformeryoumayalsoqualifyforaconcessionof5atarpoints.

whaT if MY aTar won’T be hiGh enoUGh?

�eDUcaTional�acceSS�Scheme�

�wanT�To�know�more?�YoucanfindoutmoreabouttheseschemesontheUaCwebsite:

www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas

29

daniel “IworkedinafruitshopafterHSCanditwasthepushIneeded–IcouldseethiswaswhatIcouldendupdoingifIdidn’tgetanyskills.

IheardanadvertfortaFEontheradio,soIcheckeditoutandfoundyoucouldgetaStatementofattainmentinHSCStudies.thenextdaywasthelastdaytoenrol,butIthought‘ifIcan’tfigurethisoutnowwhencanIfigureitout?’SoIenrolled.

Iendedupwithanatarof71.2,whichgotmeintomyfirstpreference.Ididquitepoorlyinmaths,butUtSoffersfreebridgingcoursesinmaths,chemistryandphysicsforpeoplewithanoffer,andthatandsummerschoolhelpedmecatchup.”

Daniel�wanted�to�be�a�chef�in�year�9.�By�year�11�he�knew�he�wanted�to�go�to�university,�but�he�lost�interest�in�study,�and�ended�up�with�an�aTar�of�less�than�30.�he’s�now�about�to�complete�his�honours�year�for�his�Bachelor�of�Science�in�applied�physics. 29

ShoUld i Go STraiGhT froM School?

iF�yoU�go�laTer>You’llhavemoretimetodecideexactlywhatdegree

youwanttodo.>Youmightdevelopsomeworkexperiencethatcan

helpyougetintouniandmoveintodifferentjobswhenyougraduate.

>Youcansaveuptomeetsomeofyourunicosts.>Youmightfindanemployerwhoiswillingtosponsor

youtodoadegree.>Youwillbemorematureanddedicatedtoyourstudy

–andmorelikelytodowellinyourdegree.>YoucanstudyfortaFEqualificationstoseeifyou

reallylikeafieldofstudy–thesequalificationswillalsohelpyougetintouniasamaturestudent.

all�universities�accept�students�who�haven’t�come�straight�from�school.�if�you�decide�to�apply�later�–�perhaps�when�you’re�more�sure�of�what�you�want�to�do,�or�you�have�some�work�experience�or�TaFe�qualifications�–�you�can�apply�as��a�‘mature�age�student’.

here’s�a�list�of�benefits�for�both�options.��make�your�own�list�to�suit�your�situation.

iF�yoU�go�STraighT�From�School�>Someofyourfriendsmightbeatuniatthesametime.>atleasthalfofyourfellowstudentswillbethesameageasyou.>Youcanuseyouressayandexamskillsfromschoolwhile

they’refresh.>You’llfinishyourdegreeearlierinyourcareer.>Youmaybemoreeligibleforcompanies’graduate

recruitmentschemes.>You’llhavefewercommitmentsandyoumightbeinabetter

positiontostudyabroadforpartofyourdegree.�wanT�To�know�more?�www.uts.edu.au/study/alternative.html

kira “aftertheHSCIhadnoideawhatIwantedtodo.Iwantedtolivealittlebecausechoosingsomethingtostudyforthreetofiveyearsisahugepartofyourlife.ItookatraineeshipwithNSWSportandrecreationinNewcastle,andgotlotsofworkexperienceaswellasCertificateIIIandIVqualifications.

afterthatIappliedforajobwithHunterNewEnglandHealth.Ilearntallaboutpublicrelations(Pr)there,andthatgotmeinterestedincommunications.ButI’dgotasfarasIcouldgowithoutadegree,soIappliedtoUtS.

Firstsemesterwasprettyhard,gettingusedtoacademicwriting,buttherearealotofmatureagestudentsoncampushere,andthesupportisgreat.”

kira�was�the�first�female�indigenous�school�captain�at�coffs�harbour�high.�after�school,�she�worked�in�sports�and�recreation.�Four�years�on,�she’s�studying�a�Bachelor�of�communication�(public�communication)�and�international�Studies,�and�playing�everything�from�Frisbee�to�aFl�and�gaelic�Football�in�her�spare�time. 31

School To Uni paThwaYS after�you�finish�your�hSc,�you�might�not�feel�ready�for�uni.�you�might�want�to�take�a�traineeship,�a�TaFe�or�other�course,�work�or�travel�–�whatever�you�do�you�can�still�get�in�later.�here�are�some�of�the�pathways�some�of�the�students�in�this�book�took:�

�kira�

>FinishedHSC

>twoyeartraineeshipwithNSWSportandrecreation

>OneyearworkingwithNewEnglandHealth

>PassedtaFECertificatesIIIandIVinSportandrecreation

>appliedtoUtSBachelorofCommunication(PublicCommunication)andInternationalStudies

>NowlearningItalianandlookingforwardtoayearinItalyaspartofherdegree

�Sergio�

>ExpelledbeforeHSC

>atartoolowtoapplyforuni

>Workedasalabourer

>appliedtoUtSthroughJumbunnaIndigenousHouseofLearning

>PassedentryexaminationsforEngineering

>awardedVice-Chancellor’sScholarship

>Stillworksasalabourerinvacations

�Daniel�

>FinishedHSC,atarunder30

>Workedinafruitshopoversummer

>HeardadvertfortaFEonradio

>EnrollednextdayintaFEStatementofattainmentinHSCStudies

>achievedatarof71.2

>appliedtoUtSBachelorofScienceinappliedPhysics

>tookbridgingcourseinmathsandchemistry

>abouttobeginhonoursyearstudying‘green’lightingtechnology

where To find oUT More �DeciDing�whaT�To�Do�aFTer�year�12�www.year12whatnext.gov.auwww.yourcareerguide.com.auwww.myfuture.edu.auwww.youth.gov.au

�FinDing�oUT�aBoUT�TaFe�anD�work�www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschoolswww.tafensw.edu.auwww.youth.gov.auwww.jobguide.deewr.gov.augirlswork.det.nsw.edu.auboyzatwork.det.nsw.edu.au

�DeciDing�which�Uni�To�go�To�open�Day�Dates�nSw/acT:�www.uac.edu.au

U@UTS�Day:�www.equity.uts.edu.au/outreach/uts-day

Independentguidetogooduniversities:www.gooduniguide.com.au

you’ll�find�useful�websites�throughout�this�book.

Herearesomeextrastolookup.themostcomprehensivesites,whichwillanswermostofyourquestionsaboutgoingtouniare:Uac�–�www.uac.edu.au�going�to�Uni�–�www.goingtouni.gov.au

It’simportantthatyoufindoutwhatyoureallywanttodoandthengoforit!remember–universitiesallhaveusefulwebsites,arewillingtoansweryourquestionsatopendaysandyoucancalloremailtheiradmissionscentres.

alluniversitiespublishonlineguidesabouttheircoursesandfacilities.Youcanalsoaskforahardcopy.Yourcareersadviserwillbeabletohelpyoufindinformation.

�DeciDing�which�Degree�To�Do�Uac�coUrSe�gUiDe��www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/course-search

UTS�hanDBookwww.handbook.uts.edu.au

Uni�course�guides�from�your�school�careers�service��or�online�at�uni�websites

33

3535

�There’S�a�loT�oF�Uni�Terminology�To�geT���USeD�To�–�here�are�Some�DeFiniTionS.�

alTernaTive�paThwayadifferentwayofgettingtouni(notstraightfromschool).

aTaraustraliantertiaryadmissionrank.YouratarscoreranksyourHSCperformanceagainstotherstudentsinNSWforthatyear.Universitiessetaminimumatarcut-offscoresforentryintoeachcourse.thesecut-offscoreschangealittlebiteachyear.

aTar�conceSSion�poinTSIfyouareeligiblefortheinpUtSEducationalaccessScheme,orifyouattendaschoolinagovernment-targetedequityprogram,youareeligiblefor10atarconcessionpoints.thismeansyouwillbeconsideredforanEaSplaceincourseswithacut-offupto10pointshigherthanyouractualatar.Eliteathlete/Performerapplicantsmaybeeligiblefor5concessionpoints.

Bachelor’S�Degreeafirstdegreeatuniversity,whichusuallytakesthreetofiveyearstocomplete.abbreviations:Ba(Bachelorofarts);BSc(BachelorofScience),BEng(BachelorofEngineering)etc.

commonwealTh�SUpporTeD�place�(cSp)�WhenyoufirstenrolinanundergraduatecourseyouwillbeofferedaCommonwealthSupportedPlace(CSP).aCSPmeansthegovernmentpayspartofyourcoursefees,andyoupayastudentcontribution,whichyoucandeferusingHECS-HELP.

comBineD�(or�DoUBle)�Degreeadegreeintwoareas,givingaqualificationinboth.Itcantake5-6years,andyougettwodegrees.Forexample,youmightcombineSportsScience/Businessifyou’dliketorunagym,arts/Lawifyou’reinterestedinbeingalawyerintheperformingarts,orInternationalStudies/Nursingifyou’reinterestedinnursinginanon-Englishspeakingcountry.

creDiT�poinTSDegreesubjectsareworthacertainnumberofcreditpoints(usuallybetween3and10).Bypassingeachsubjectyouaccumulatecreditpoints.Youhavetogetasetnumberofcreditpointstograduate.Forexample,youwillcompleteaBachelorofEngineeringatUtSwith204creditpoints.

whaT doeS ThaT Mean?

maJorthesubjectareayouchoosetostudyinmoredepthduringyourdegree.‘Majoring’meansyouarespecialisinginaparticularsubject.

poSTgraDUaTeastudentwhoisstudyingasecond,higher-leveldegreelikeaMastersorDoctorate,oranylevelofstudybeyondBachelor’sdegree.abbreviation:PG,post-grad.

pracShortforpractical.asessionwhereyouapplyyourskillsandknowledge.Manypracsarelikeworkexperience–forexample,teachingornursingpracs.

SchoolS�in�governmenT-TargeTeD�eqUiTy�programSSchoolsidentifiedbythegovernmentashavingalargenumberofstudentsfromlowincomefamilies.EquityprogramsfortheseschoolsincludetheNationalPartnership(lowSEScommunities)program,NSWPrioritySchoolsprogramandNSWCountryareasProgram(CaP).StudentsattendingtheseschoolsareautomaticallyeligibleforEaSentryandatarconcessions.

SemeSTertheacademicyearisdividedintotwohalf-yearperiodsofapproximately15weekseach.atUtStheautumnSemesterrunsfromMarchtoJune,andtheSpringSemesterrunsfromaugusttoNovember.

eDUcaTional�acceSS�Scheme�(eaS)analternativepathwaytouniwhichtakesintoaccounteducationaldisadvantagesthatmighthaveaffectedyouracademicachievements.theUtSEaSiscalledinpUtS,andthereareplacesreservedeveryyearforinpUtSstudentsinmostUtSundergraduatecourses.EaSapplicantsmustalsosubmitanormalUaCapplication.

FacUlTyauniversitydivisione.g.FacultyofEngineering,FacultyofIt,FacultyofBusiness.

graDUaTe�astudentwhohascompletedauniversitydegree.

hecS-helpGovernmentloanschemethatallowsyoutodeferyourstudentcontributionifyoustudyinaCommonwealthSupportedPlace.

honoUrSanadditionalperiodofstudy(usuallyayear)whereyoutakeextradegreesubjects.abbreviatedto‘Hons’,e.g.Ba(Hons).

laBShortfor‘laboratory’.apracticallesson,inwhichstudentsconductexperiments,constructorengineerthingseitheraloneorinsmallgroups.

lecTUreagrouplesson,wheretheteacherwilllectureonaparticulartopicwhileyoutakenotes.

�...�whaT�DoeS�ThaT�mean�...��

Special�enTry�SchemeSeeEducationalaccessScheme.

SUBJecTPartofadegree.Ifyoustudyfull-time,youwillnormallytakefoursubjectseachsemester.Eachsubjectisworthacertainnumberofcreditpointswhichcounttowardsyourdegree.

TerTiary�eDUcaTion�anystudybeyondsecondaryschool.

TUTorialagrouplessonwheretheteacherandclasswilldiscussaparticularsubject.Youmayalsohaveindividualtutorialsorconsultations,wheretheteacherwilldiscussyourworkwithyouindividually.

TveTtaFEcoursesyoucandoaspartofyourHSC.Somecounttowardsyouratar.

UacUniversitiesadmissionsCentre.UaCprocessesallundergraduateadmissionsforalluniversitiesinNSWandtheaCt.Website:www.uac.edu.au

UnDergraDUaTeastudentstudyingatuniversityforthefirsttime,orBachelor’sdegreelevelstudy.abbreviation:UG,undergrad.� 37

�For�more�inFormaTion�aBoUT���UTS�open�Day�anD���School�liaiSon�conTacT:�UTS Future Students Unit University of Technology Sydney PO Box 123 Broadway NSW 2007

Tel: (02) 9514 1711 Email: future.students@uts.edu.au www.uts.edu.au�

UtS:MCU/JOB15995/NOV2010/UtSCrICOSCODE:00099FPhotographyby:annaZhu,anthonyGeernaert,ChrisBennett,EncaptureandSherranEvans