With so many choices in front of you, we know narrowing down your preferred uni courses can feel overwhelming. Create a clearer path forward with these simple steps to creating your VTAC course preference list.
If you’re studying Year 12 in Victoria and planning to apply to university, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) – specifically the VTAC application process, which includes choosing your top eight university courses.
Not in Victoria? Refer to your state or territory’s tertiary admissions centre for relevant information regarding how to apply and application closing dates.
VTAC applications usually open in August and late applications will continue to be accepted until early December (fee applies). You can change your uni preferences any time except during selection periods – which occur just before offer rounds are released. Learn more about VTAC application closing dates and how to apply for courses through VTAC.
Browse Deakin course pages to soak up as much information as possible about the courses you’re interested in. Explore our student life and service information to discover why we’re Victoria’s #1 university for educational experience.* And remember, Deakin’s friendly student advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, application process, pathways to Deakin and more.
When you’re interested in lots of courses, it can be tricky to prioritise them. To help you decide, dig a bit deeper into what each course involves. Does the course offer specialisations you like the sound of? Can you undertake internships, work experience or overseas study opportunities as part of the course? What facilities do students have access to?
Join us on campus on Friday 13 December to chat one-on-one with staff and students, get info on our industry-engaged courses, take student-led campus tours, and gain the insight you need to take your next step.
Now you’ve got a shortlist of the courses you want to study and you’re sure you meet the entry requirements – it’s time to list your uni courses in order of preference.
Regardless of whether you think you’ll get the ATAR required, course preferences should be listed in the order you’d most like them to be considered, not the order in which you think you’ll get in to them. Enter the course that you’d most like to study first, followed by the course you’d next prefer to study, and so on.
Allocate enough time to review your application and ensure you’ve included all the documentation you need. Double check your personal details and the courses you have selected, paying particular attention to course codes. Note that the same course may have a different code at different campuses of the same university.
Even if you have your heart set on one course, it’s wise to include as many courses as you can on your preference list. Consider adding similar degrees with more flexible entry requirements, such as a lower ATAR, further down your list. This strategy will provide you with alternative pathway options if you don’t secure your top preference.
If you’re not 100% sure on your initial course preferences, that’s okay! You’ll be able to change your preferences as many times as you like during the change of preference period later in the year.
Choose courses that you’re interested in, not necessarily courses other people think you should study. Discuss your options with friends and family but ultimately, it’s your decision.
Ready to shape your future? Get a head start on course selection by using Deakin’s ATAR calculator.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.
