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Find your entry pathway to Curtin

Whatever your experience or background, we have a pathway for you to study at Curtin in 2024.

Pathways to university

You may be finishing high school, coming from TAFE, or just thinking of a career change; but whatever your background, there’s an entry pathway to Curtin for you.

So, which pathway suits you? Take a look at our options below. If you’re unsure which pathway is right for you, try our pathway finder tool or get in touch with one of our Curtin Connect advisors. 

Pathway Finder tool

To get started, check the admission criteria of the course you’d like to study.  The admission criteria may be a particular ATAR, or the course may also offer portfolio entry or accept VET qualifications.  There may also be prerequisite courses. If you don’t meet the prerequisites, there are also pathways for you. 

School based entry pathways

Unlock your academic potential with the right entry pathway. Whether it’s using your ATAR for university admission, earning university credits during high school, or exploring alternative options, find the solution that suits you best.

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ATAR entry

If you’re a year 12 student taking at least four subjects at ATAR level, you can apply for a course at Curtin via TISC. You can gain entry if your ATAR is the same or exceeds the ATAR required for that course. Note: some competitive courses may require you to exceed the minimum ATAR for entry. You can apply before you take your exams. If you already have an ATAR that matches your preferred course, you can apply to Curtin directly.

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Portfolio entry

Portfolio entry is a pathway into our courses if you’re taking General subjects at high school, or you’re studying a combination of ATAR and General subjects and/or VET qualifications. It’s also suitable if you finished school without an ATAR and have work experience instead.

The portfolio entry pathway offers entry into a select range of business, health, science and humanities degrees.

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VET entry

This pathway is for those who have attained an RTO Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate 4 or higher. You may have studied your VET qualification at high school, TAFE, through a private education provider, or online.

You apply for VET entry through TISC if you’re in year 12. All other applicants apply directly to Curtin.

Additional support for school leavers

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Have your studies been disrupted?

We understand that life doesn’t always go to plan. If you’ve been affected by circumstances that have impacted your ability to study or sit exams, you may be eligible for special consideration.

If you are granted special consideration, you will receive between one and five additional points to your ATAR.

Support resources

Support resources

If you’re the first in your family to go to university, are from a regional or remote area, are of Australian First Nations descent or have a disability, you may be eligible for additional support or an equity scholarship to help you begin your studies.

Rising Scholar Program

Rising Scholar Program

Our Rising Scholar Program (RSP) offers a select number of high-ability students in Year 10, 11 and 12 the opportunity to engage in tertiary learning while also providing them with a genuine Curtin student experience.

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StepUp to Curtin

StepUp is an ATAR adjustment that’s applied automatically to your ATAR if you meet certain criteria.

Hear from one of our graduates

Student Cameron Howard

“I discovered Curtin’s portfolio entry while at TAFE and knew it was the perfect fit for my passion in painting and drawing. With the amazing guidance at Curtin, I’ve now honed my art skills and am diving into a Masters in Teaching!”

Cameron Howard

Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art)

Curtin based entry pathways

Curtin offers additional pathways and enabling programs that can help you to gain entry to your course. At Curtin, there isn’t one size fits all, with many students from different walks of life.

UniReady

UniReady

This is an excellent option if you didn’t study ATAR or didn’t complete high school.

It’s one-semester course that is studied either on-campus or online, that can help you qualify for courses with an ATAR of 70. When you complete UniReady, you’ll automatically meet Curtin’s English requirements.

UniReady can also be a pathway to health, science or engineering courses that have higher-level entry requirements. After completing UniReady, you can enter health sciences or multidisciplinary science, for example, and then apply to switch into your chosen course once you have completed the required units.

First Nations enabling courses

First Nations enabling courses

These courses are designed for future students of Australian First Nations descent, providing a culturally supportive environment through The Centre for Aboriginal Studies. Choose from the Indigenous Tertiary Enabling Course; Indigenous Pre-Medicine and Health Sciences Enabling Course; and the Indigenous Pre-Science and Engineering Enabling Course. Completing any one of these courses meets Curtin’s English requirements.

Curtin College

Curtin College

Based at Curtin Perth, Curtin College is an integrated pathway provider to Curtin University. Completing a Curtin College diploma prepares you for entry into the second year of a Curtin bachelor degree.

Switch Curtin courses

Switch Curtin courses

Course switching can be used as an entry pathway to transition into a course with a more competitive admission criteria, or allow you to change to a course more suited to your career aspirations.

I’m unsure where I fit

I’m unsure where I fit

If you’re unsure of which pathway is best suited to you, try completing our pathway finder quiz below or contact Curtin Connect to discuss your options with one of our advisors.

English

English

If you’re studying ATAR, but miss out on a scaled score of 50 in an English ATAR subject, you can take the STAT Written English (WE) test or an alternative English test approved by Curtin instead.

TISC will automatically invite you to sit the STAT WE test when your ATAR results are released. You can sit the test before the second round of offers. If you achieve a score of 140 in this test, you’ll meet the English requirement and will be considered for your preferred course in the second round of offers.

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Subject prerequisites

If you’re missing a subject prerequisite for a health, science or engineering course, you can take a Curtin pathway degree course such as multidisciplinary science, or health sciences, and then switch into your preferred course.

Other pathways to Curtin

Special Tertiary Admissions Test

Special Tertiary Admissions Test

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don’t meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

Curtin English

Curtin English

If you are an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident but English is not your first language, you may benefit from our Curtin English Language Programs. You may be eligible for a free Commonwealth-funded place.

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Portfolio entry

Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications, work experiences and ability.

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Other Australian university bridging courses

Completion of a foundation, enabling or bridging program at another uni may qualify you for entry to Curtin. As a general rule, if the program meets the admission requirements for that university, and there are no special requirements or prerequisites for your preferred Curtin course, it can be used to gain admission.

I'm unsure where I fit

I’m unsure where I fit

If you’re unsure of which pathway is best suited to you, try completing our pathway finder quiz below or contact Curtin Connect to discuss your options with one of our advisors.

Got a question? We’re here to help.

English language proficiency

Prerequisites

Find out which Curtin English course is for you

Navitas Partnership

English language proficiency

Prerequisites

Find out which Curtin English course is for you

Navitas Partnership