Admissions Manual - Coursework and Enabling Programs
About this Manual
Foreword
(1) This Manual applies to:
enabling programs ;undergraduate andpostgraduate courseworkprograms ; andprograms offered by theUniversity tostudents studying in Australia and offshore, including those enrolled through a partner institution.
(2) The provisions of this Manual apply to admissions for the noted academic year. Changes will only be made in the intervening period if required by external legislation or as approved by Academic Senate.
(3) In the event of an inconsistency between this Manual and a Rule(s) or a Schedule to the Rule(s), the Rule(s) made by Council will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
Purpose
(4) The objective of this Manual is to provide clear and concise directions on admissions to
Further Information for Staff
(5) Where there is a perceived need for a variation from the requirements described in this Manual,
Section 1 - Admissions Policy
Part A - General Admissions Policy
(6) The
- procedures for admission to
programs , including admissions schemes and deferment are clearly defined; - equitable access to entry pathways is established for all
applicants ; - academic pathways provide access to
credit for learning already undertaken; - terms and term dates are approved and promulgated in an appropriate manner;
- processes exist to support
student progression; and - transparent and accountable processes exist for amendment, review, and relaxation of provisions for admission.
(7) The Program and Course Approval Committee (PCAC) is responsible for prescribing the academic requirements for admission to any
- detailed in the Program Handbook;
- outlined in the current edition of the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) guide; or
- listed on the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website.
(8) The
- the
University reserves the right to decline or rescind admission to anyapplicant ; - any
applicant orstudent who is currently excluded from theUniversity or another institution will not be considered for admission to theUniversity during the period of exclusion; and - an exclusion from a
College orprogram at theUniversity may preclude anapplicant from being considered for admission to thatprogram or aprogram within thatCollege during the period of exclusion.
Admission Eligibility and Requirements
(9) To be eligible for admission to the
- meet the English language proficiency requirements approved by Academic Senate (please refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy);
- satisfy the academic requirements prescribed by the Program and Course Approval Committee (PCAC) for admission to the relevant
program ; - meet any other additional requirements that may be prescribed in
University rules, policies, schedules or theCollege admissions requirements and selection criteria; - be a minimum of 16 years of age as of 1 March in the year of admission.
Applicants under the age of 16 years may apply directly to the Vice-Chancellor for consideration; and - meet the
inherent requirements of the relevantprogram .
(10) Upon meeting the above eligibility requirements,
- a completed NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent – irrespective of the age of qualification;
- completed or partially completed higher education studies;
- TAFE/VET qualifications, with a minimum of a completed Certificate III (AQF level 3) except for the Bachelor of Nursing, which recognises the School Based Traineeship (SBT);
- TAFE/VET qualifications, with a minimum of a completed Certificate II (AQF level 2) in conjunction with meeting additional performance-based selection criteria for the Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts and associated combined degrees;
- completion of a recognised
enabling program within a 10-year period preceding admission to theUniversity ; - overseas qualifications equivalent to Australian studies. Recognition of overseas qualifications is determined in accordance with Clause 18;
- a completed non-ATAR education program completed through a recognised Australian secondary school;
- Australian Defence Force experience and qualifications;
- completion of a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) in accordance with clause 58-59;
- a
University approved admission scheme as outlined in Appendix 1 of this Manual; - performance or recognition of
University approvedadjustment factors as outlined in Appendix 2 of this Manual; - any other
College /program -specific scheme as outlined in the admission requirements and selection criteria approved by Academic Senate, and detailed in the relevant Program Handbook; or - a combination of any of the above, as stipulated for individual
programs .
International Applicant Requirements
(11) International
(12) The
(13) Additional requirements are also imposed for international
(14) The
Selection Ranks
(15)
(16) Minimum
(17) Selection ranks used for
Recognition of Overseas Qualifications
(18) The
Conflict of Interest
(19) All
(20) All
- declare conflicts of interest in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy and its associated procedure; and
- sign an annual declaration of understanding of the Conflicts of Interest Policy or retrospective confirmation that relevant conflicts of interest were declared and managed appropriately over the previous 12-month period.
(21) Please refer to the Conflict of Interest Policy and the Staff Code of Conduct.
Part B - Admission Policy for Non-Award Study
(22) Non-award study of an
(23) All
(24) Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans will not be available to
(25)
(26)
(27)
Undergraduate Non-Award Admission
(28)
- completion of the NSW HSC or an equivalent senior secondary qualification;
- completion of a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification, delivered by an accredited Registered Training Organisation at Certificate IV level or above;
- completion of a minimum of 10
units ofundergraduate orpostgraduate studies with a pass grade or higher; - completion of a university
enabling program ; or - any other qualification resulting in a
selection rank of 60 or above.
Postgraduate Non-Award Admission
(29)
- completion of an AQF 7 bachelor’s degree (or higher) qualification;
- completion of an AQF 5 diploma or AQF 6 advanced diploma, and a minimum of three years relevant professional work experience; or
- at least five years relevant professional work experience.
Credit Provisions
(30) Studies undertaken as non-award may form the basis of an application for
Part C - Admissions Policy for End-On Honours
(31) To be considered for admission to an end-on honours
(32) Admission to some honours
Part D - Admissions Policy for Cross-institutional Study
(33) Cross-institutional study allows students of other institutions to complete an approved
(34) Cross-institutional study is available to eligible
(35) Cross-institutional study is not available at the Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education (Singapore) campus.
(36)
(37) Fee paying
Part E - Deferment of Admissions Policy
(38) An
(39) Deferments will not be approved for
(40) Offers of admission and deferment of the offer are
Eligibility
(41)
(42) In exceptional circumstances, a second year of deferment may be granted upon written request. Such applications will require documentary evidence, where possible, to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that prevent the
(43) Only a limited number of deferments will be allowed within the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine – Joint Medical Program.
(44) Deferral requests for the Bachelor of Midwifery are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Head of School and Dean of Nursing and Midwifery.
Excluded Programs
(45) The following
- all
undergraduate end-on honoursprograms ; - Master of Clinical Psychology;
- Master of Professional Psychology;
- all
enabling programs .
(46)
(47) Notwithstanding clauses 45 and 46
Part F - Transfers Policy
Program Transfers
Availability
(48) Current
Eligibility
(49) Approval of internal
- vacancies in the substitute
program ; - lodgement of the application by the cut-off date;
- the
applicant meeting all published admission requirements and selection criteria for the substituteprogram ; - the
applicant meeting any additional selection criteria for the substituteprogram ; and - assessment against the Genuine Student (GS) criteria in Ministerial Direction 106 (for
international student visa holders only).
Excluded Programs
(50) The following
- Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine – Joint Medical Program; and
- Bachelor of Midwifery.
Part G - Admissions Appeals Policy
(51) A
- the outcome of an application for admission to End-on Honours;
- the outcome of an application for admission to Graded Honours Stream within an Embedded Honours Program;
- a decision made under any clause in this manual, except:
- Clause 44;
- Clause 46.
(52) An appeal may be made for any of the following reasons:
- evidence of a breach of the requirements of this Manual;
- evidence that the determination was affected by a conflict of interest;
- evidence of a lack of procedural fairness.
(53) An appeal on the grounds of outcome alone will not be considered.
(54) An appeal must be made in accordance with the Academic Appeals Policy.
Part H - Policy for Review of Offers of Admission
(55) The
- the
applicant failing to accept the offer of admission by the specified date; - the supply of false information, false or falsified documentation to the
University or a third party. This may result indisciplinary action under the Student Conduct Rule, where relevant; - non-compliance with the Terms and Conditions of Admission, the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment or the Digital Technology Conditions of Use Policy;
- failure to pay fees and charges payable to the
University or partner institution; - the
student is found guilty of misconduct and is excluded/dismissed on grounds listed in the Student Conduct Rule; - the
student is suspended or excluded under the provisions outlined in the Student Academic Progress Procedure; or - the
student has failed to enrol or re-enrol by the date specified.
(56) When grounds of review have been identified, the course of action may include but may not be limited to:
- withdrawal of offer of admission;
- suspension of admission;
- termination of admission.
(57) The
- the
program quota was filled before the offer was accepted; or - the
University rests admission to theprogram in the offeredterm and/or at the offeredcampus ; or - the
University otherwise ceases to offer theprogram .
Section 2 - Admissions Procedures
Part I - Domestic Admissions Procedures
Undergraduate Programs
(58) Admission to an
- ATAR (or equivalent results) from Australian or overseas senior secondary qualifications (such as the HSC or equivalent);
- prior tertiary studies;
- prior TAFE/VET studies; and
- completed bridging courses or
enabling programs .
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
(59) The
- a
Current school leaver undertaking non-traditional schooling where a formal Year 12 qualification is not possible (i.e., Steiner Education Australia or Australian registered homeschooling); - a
Recent school leaver orNon-recent school leaver who did not do well at school and has no other qualifications; and - a minimum of 18 years of age as of 1 March in the year of admission.
(60) There is no time limit on the acceptance of STAT results for admission.
(61) Satisfactory performance in the STAT Multiple Choice gives entry to the programs as outlined in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Schedule.
Postgraduate Programs
(62) Admission requirements for
Enabling Programs
(63) Admission requirements for
Part J - International Applicant Admission Procedures
(64) The University of Newcastle is a culturally diverse community, enriched by the contributions of its diverse
(65) International
(66) International
Submission of documentation
(67) Each piece of documentary evidence attached to an application must be either:
- an original document;
- certified as a true copy of the original document by a certified contractual agent; or
- certified as a true copy of the original document by a trusted source such as a Notary Public or Justice of Peace; or
- a colour copy of the original document.
(68) For
- an original document;
- certified as a true or colour copy of the original document by a certified contractual agent;
- certified as a true or colour copy of the original document by a trusted source such as a Notary Public or Justice of Peace; or
- verified by a trusted source such as the home overseas institution.
(69) Where original documents are not provided, or the documentation is not certified as outlined above, a conditional offer of admission may be made subject to the provision of appropriate documentation.
Offer of Admission
(70) Following assessment of an
- make an unconditional offer;
- make a conditional offer;
- make a packaged offer that will permit the
applicant to enter their desiredprogram after successful study or completion of anotherprogram ; - make an offer to an alternate
program ; or - decline to make an offer.
(71) Offers of admission to
(72) The
Part K - Non-Award Admissions Procedures
(73)
(74) Applications will be assessed by the relevant Admissions
(75)
(76)
(77) It is the
- have met the assumed knowledge requirements and the requisites for the
course /s they wish to study; - comply with the by-laws, rules, and policies of the
University as well as the terms and conditions of admission and enrolment; and - pay the required fees and charges.
(78) Failure to meet the requirements of Clause 77 may result in the
Admission to the High Performing Students Program
(79)
(80)
(81)
(82) The interview involves the
- why the
applicant is interested in the course; - the
applicant's career expectations; - how the
applicant will manage the extra time thecourse requires; and - how the
applicant will maintain high standards for the School Certificate or the Higher School Certificate.
(83) The coordinating high school will notify individual
(84)
(85) There are no age restrictions for enrolment, but
(86)
(87)
Part L - Cross Institutional Admission Procedure
(88)
Part M - Deferment of Admission to a Coursework Award Procedure
Domestic Applicants
(89) To defer an offer of admission,
(90) Requests for deferment of admission to the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine – Joint Medical Program and the Bachelor of Midwifery will be referred to the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing.
International Applicants
(91) International applicants seeking deferral of admission must apply to defer through International Admissions (IA@newcastle.edu.au).
(92) Deferral requests made before the
(93) Deferral requests made after the
(94) The
Notification – all applicants
(95) A formal notice of the outcome of an application for deferment will be provided to the
Enrolment After Deferment Period
(96) The
Part N - Internal Program Transfer Procedure
Automatic Approval
(97)
(98)
(99) For
Table 1 – Automatic Approval of Internal Program Transfers
Program Currently Enrolled In | Transfer To |
---|---|
Any combined degree | Single degree within the existing combination. For combined Law |
Combined Law (Honours) degree |
Another combined Law (Honours) degree |
Combined degree | Another combined degree where one of the named |
Combined Engineering (Honours) degree |
Another combined Engineering (Honours) degree |
B Engineering (Honours) or B Engineering (Honours) combined (any discipline) | B Engineering (Honours) (any discipline), or B Engineering (Mining Transfer program), or B Computer Science, or B Surveying (Honours). |
B Surveying (Honours) | B Engineering (Honours) (any discipline) or B Computer Science, or B Engineering (Mining Transfer Program). |
B Computer Science | B Engineering (Honours) (any discipline), B Information Technology, or B Surveying (Honours), or B Engineering (Mining Transfer Program). |
B Information Technology | B Computer Science. |
B Design (Architecture) | B Construction Management (Building). |
B Engineering (Mining) Transfer | B Engineering (Honours) (any discipline), B Surveying (Honours), or B Computer Science. |
Any University of Newcastle |
B Arts. |
Any University of Newcastle |
B Science. |
Any University of Newcastle |
B Business. |
Any University of Newcastle |
B Commerce. |
Any University of Newcastle |
Any University of Newcastle B Education degree. |
Any University of Newcastle |
Any University of Newcastle Diploma (excluding Diploma of Languages). |
Any University of Newcastle Diploma (excluding Diploma of Languages). | Any University of Newcastle Diploma (excluding Diploma of Languages). |
(100)
Part O - Concurrent Admission to Diploma in Languages
(101) Concurrent admission to the Diploma in Languages is available to
(102) Enrolment in the Diploma in Languages is not available to
(103) Current
Part P - End-on Honours Admissions Procedure
(104)
Part Q - Admission Appeals Procedure
(105)
(106) An appeal of an outcome of an application for admission to End-on Honours must be made to the relevant Head of School. The Head of School (or their nominee) may seek further advice as required to assist in determining the outcome of an appeal.
(107) An appeal of an outcome of an application for admission to Graded Honours Stream within an Embedded Honours
(108) For all other matters, in the first instance the appeal will be considered by the Academic Division General Manager and Academic Registrar who may refer relevant matters for consideration to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
(109) Upon receipt of an appeal made within the required timeframe, the officer considering the appeal:
- will consider the information provided in the appeal to the extent that the information relates to one of the grounds of appeal set out in this Manual;
- will consider material taken into account by the original decision maker in making their determination which is relevant to the grounds of appeal;
- may request further information from the
applicant orstudent or from the original decision maker; and - will then make one of the following determinations:
- dismiss the appeal; or
- uphold the appeal and reverse the original decision; or
- uphold the appeal and vary the original decision.
Determination is Final
(110) The officer considering the appeal will inform the appellant in writing of the determination, including reasons for the determination.
(111) The determination by the officer considering the appeal is final and there is no further avenue of appeal within the
(112) The appellant may have the right to further appeal outside the
Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
Applicant Responsibilities
(113)
- lodging their application either through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC); or
- applying directly to the
University .
(114) International applicants must lodge their application directly with International Admissions and Compliance (see International - Admissions Portals).
(115)
(116)
(117)
(118)
Admissions Team(s) Responsibilities
(119) The Admissions Team in Student Central is responsible for receiving and assessing applications from
(120) The Admissions Team in Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre is responsible for receiving and assessing applications for
(121) The JMP Admissions team in College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing is responsible for receiving and assessing applications for the Joint Medical Program.
(122) The International Admissions team is responsible for:
- receiving and assessing applications for
undergraduate andpostgraduate courseworkprograms , including non-award study, frominternational applicants ; and - considering requests for deferral of admission from
international applicants , excluding those seeking admission into the Joint Medical Program.
(123) The relevant Admissions team will:
- assess and process each application, ensuring that all eligibility and requirements are met; and
- issue an offer of admission to the
applicant where all requirements are met, and the application is within the cut-off limits.
(124) The Student Central Admissions team is also responsible for:
- processing requests for deferral and transfer from domestic applicants / students;
- considering requests for cross-institutional study, and forwarding these for approval to the relevant College Pro Vice-Chancellor; and
- considering applications for admission to end-on honours, and forwarding these for approval to the relevant
Program Convenor .
Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)
(125) Applications for admission to the
(126) The UAC will issue an offer of admission to the
(127) The UAC can also accept applications for transfer of admission from one
Head of School
(128) The relevant Head of School is responsible for:
- determining the outcome of an appeal for admission to end-on honours; and
- determining the outcome of an appeal for admission to Graded Honours Stream within an embedded honours program;
- notifying Student Central and the Global Office of
courses that exclude non-award admission, and of any limits to the number of non-award enrolments permitted in an individualcourse .
Academic Division General Manager and Academic Registrar
(129) The Academic Division General Manager and Academic Registrar is responsible for:
- considering the outcome of requests to defer admission from
Domestic applicants , excluding thoseapplicants seeking entry into the Joint Medical Program; - approving the rescission of an offer of admission made to an
applicant ; and - determining the outcome of appeals relating to admissions.
Dean of Medicine – Joint Medical Program
(130) The Dean of Medicine – Joint Medical Program is responsible for considering the outcome of deferral of admission requests from
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice President
(131) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is responsible for:
- setting the
University selection ranks ; - approving
term dates; - approving admissions through the Newcastle Law School Indigenous Early Entry Scheme; the Newcastle Law School Refugee Early Entry Scheme, and the Special Circumstances Admissions Scheme;
- approving the rescission of an offer of admission;
- determining the outcome of appeals, excluding those relating to admission to end-on honours, or graded honours stream within an embedded honours
program .
Vice-Chancellor
(132) The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for considering admission requests from
Program and Course Approval Committee (PCAC)
(133) The PCAC is responsible for prescribing the academic requirements for admission to any
Teaching and Learning Committee (TLC)
(134) The Teaching and Learning Committee (TLC) is responsible for consideration of overseas qualifications not recognised through proven education sources to establish Australian comparability.
Top of PageSection 4 - Quality Assurance
(135) The Associate Director, Student and Academic Administration will review key metrics associated with admissions to monitor performance and identify trends. The findings of the review will be reported annually to Academic Senate.
(136) The Associate Director, Student and Academic Administration will undertake annual review reviews of admissions processes, in consultation with the Risk Unit and in accordance with the Risk Management Framework.
Top of PageSection 5 - Relaxing Provision
(137) To provide for exceptional circumstances arising in any case (for an individual
Section 6 - Appendices and Schedules
(138) Appendix 1 - 2024 University Approved Admission Schemes
(139) Appendix 2 - 2024 Adjustment Factors
(140) Admissions - Year 12 Adjustment Scheme Schedule
(141) Admissions - Subject Spotlight Scheme Schedule