In your final year of school? Congratulations! It’s a huge milestone after years of learning and life experiences. Around mid-year, you’ll apply to university through your state or territory’s tertiary admissions centre – like VTAC if you’re in Victoria.
When the time comes, you’ll have the chance to update or change your course preferences before the application closing dates. This is what we call 'change of preference'.
If you change your mind about what you want to study, change of preference lets you add, remove or reorder courses on your preference list. Every year, thousands of Year 12s log in to their state or territory’s tertiary admissions centre to change uni preferences – sometimes multiple times!
When you're ready, log into your VTAC account or your local admissions centre and follow these steps:
Not in Year 12? Find out how to apply directly with Deakin.
You’ll only receive one offer per round for the highest preference you’re eligible for – so list courses in the order you want to study them, not just the ones you think you’ll get into. If you don’t receive your uni preference in the first round, we recommend accepting your offer while trying again for your preferred course in later rounds.
After you receive your ATAR, you might decide to update your preferences – whether your results are higher or lower than expected, or if you’ve simply had a change of heart. The final window to change your course preferences opens when you get your Year 12 results – right before universities start making main offers in December.
For Victorian students, key dates are available on the VTAC website. Be sure to make your changes by mid-December for the main offer round, with more chances in January and February. If you're not in Victoria, head to your local admissions centre for all the details.
Your ATAR can help guide your course preferences. Still waiting for your results? Use our ATAR calculator for an estimate or check your scaled and raw study scores with the VCE study score calculator. Once you have your ATAR, browse courses filtered by ATAR to find your best fit.
If you want a degree that provides vital industry experience, invaluable academic support and helps secure your dream job, choose Deakin. We’re the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment.
It has been the easiest transition because any help I needed was provided. When I needed clarification with my course and accommodation, Deakin gave me options and clarity that made making decisions easier and smoother.
Ashana Avenir
Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours)
With over 200 undergraduate courses, including double degrees, you’ll have plenty of options to consider. Whether you're choosing a course or arranging your preferences, we're here to guide you every step of the way – as the #1 Victorian uni for student support.
Our team is here to support you through every step of the VTAC application process. Each state and territory has its own process, so be sure to familiarise yourself with the details. Visit your local admissions centre or the VTAC website for more information.
Our friendly advisers are here to guide you through all the things to think about when choosing a uni, from course options to scholarships. Whether you prefer chatting online, speaking over the phone or attending Open Day, our experts are available to help you kick off your Deakin journey.
It’s totally normal to have lots of questions during this time. While our Deakin experts are here to guide you through course selection and enrolment, your parent or caregiver might have some valuable insights too. Lean on your support network to explore all your options.
Did you know you can change your preferences as often as you like? Even if you accept your first offer, you can still adjust it later to a course listed higher in your preferences. Whatever your journey, Deakin has a place for you.
If your ATAR isn’t quite where you wanted it, don’t worry! Many students take alternate pathways, such as bridging courses, associate degrees or studying at a different campus. Discover your options and find the path that works best for you.
Turn your TAFE qualifications into a degree faster with guaranteed recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Deakin. If you're eligible, you'll receive credit for prior study, helping you save time and money on your way to your dream course. Use our pathways finder tool to map out your next step.
Our guide helps you optimise your VTAC preferences and take note of VTAC key dates so you can feel confident in your future.
Read our guide to selecting your uni course preferences and find out to navigate VTAC admissions and change of preference.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
Our expert staff are highly skilled in providing course advice, identifying all your options and guiding you through the process. Speak one-on-one about your preferences and how we can help you start your study journey at Deakin.
Domestic students
1800 693 888
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International students
+61 3 9918 9188
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