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Portfolio entry is only available to domestic students. If you’re an international student, please view pathways available to you.
We know all our students’ experiences are unique, and portfolio entry allows you to showcase your enthusiasm and creativity to demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for studying at Curtin. Here are some things to consider prior to applying, and what you’ll need to submit as part of your portfolio.
You can apply for portfolio entry if you:
are studying a combination of General, ATAR and/or Certificate/VET courses
have an ATAR but haven’t received an offer based on your ATAR
have other qualifications or work experience that don’t otherwise meet Curtin’s admission criteria.
Through portfolio entry, you apply for your preferred course with a portfolio of documents that showcase your academic achievements, qualifications, work experience, extra-curricular activities and suitability for tertiary study.
Preparing your portfolio
Through portfolio entry, you apply for your preferred course with a portfolio of documents that showcase your academic achievements, qualifications, work experience, extra-curricular activities and suitability for university study.
Admission criteria for year 12 high school students
As a year 12 student, you need to meet the following general criteria, as well as any course-specific admission criteria.
General criteria
Achieve the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) or equivalent.
Show your academic potential by successfully completing at least one ATAR subject and three General courses in year 12, or a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification that is relevant to the course you wish to enter. Your overall year 12 achievement across your best four subjects should be equivalent to a C average.
Demonstrate English proficiency.
Course-specific admission criteria
Health
Health Promotion; Health, Safety and Environment; Health Sciences; Psychology
at least one ATAR subject or
achieved a grade A in at least one General subject.
Science and Engineering
Agribusiness; Applied Geology; Information technology; Environmental Science
Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent.
Admission criteria if you’re not a current high school student
If you’re not currently a high school student, but are wanting to commence study with us through portfolio entry, here are general admission criteria you need to meet, along with some course-specific admission criteria.
General criteria
Have studied or developed knowledge and work skills in the course you’re applying for
Demonstrated English proficiency.
Completed high school with a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) or equivalent (preferred but not essential).
Course-specific admission criteria
Health
Health Promotion; Health, Safety and Environment; Health Sciences; Psychology
at least one ATAR subject (or equivalent) or
achieved a grade A in at least one WACE General subject (or equivalent)
Science and Engineering
Agribusiness; Applied Geology; Information technology; Environmental Science
Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent.
English proficiency
To be eligible for entry via portfolio, you’ll need to demonstrate English proficiency. You can meet this in one of the following ways:
ATAR English/Literature/EALD, scaled score of 50 or a combined course score or moderated school assessment or exam mark of at least 55 or a letter grade of A, B or C
**Successfully completing eligible units in our Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Sciences course can help you meet the admission criteria for a wider range of science courses, and engineering courses.
Successfully completing eligible units in the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Sciences course can help you meet the admission criteria for a wider range of science courses, and engineering courses.
Successfully completing your first year at Curtin with a course weighted average of 70% provides eligibility into the Bachelor of Laws.
How to compile your portfolio
The basis of your application is a portfolio of documents that showcases your academic achievements, qualifications, any work experience, extra-curricular activities and suitability for university study. It is your opportunity to show Curtin your passion for studying with us in the area of your interest – go bold, tell us why you would be successful!
We recommend preparing your portfolio documents as soon as possible.
if you are applying for multiple courses, please include a portfolio application coversheet for each portfolio application you submit.
In your letter, address why you want to attend Curtin, the reasons and motivation behind choosing your course, and your future career goals. Your letter should reflect your commitment to study, and why you think you’ll be successful.
If you are applying for more than one course via Portfolio entry, you’ll need one letter per application. Remember to personalise each one, to show why you are interested in that course.
Your résumé should outline your education and work experience to date, including details of paid work and any voluntary positions you’ve held – we’re interested in hearing about everything you have achieved, large and small.
Your letter(s) of support can be from your school, work or a professional representative. The letter should comment on your academic performance, if applicable, aptitude and likelihood to succeed in your chosen university course.
This can include secondary schooling, TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO) qualifications, industry training or accreditation, and workplace training.
If you are currently completing year 12, provide your most recent school reports. When available, we will have access to your Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA), Western Australian Certificate of Achievement (WACE) and ATAR course reports.
If you have undertaken extracurricular activities relevant to your chosen area of study, you are encouraged to provide related documents. For example, leadership programs, artwork, elite sports, competitions or sports coaching.
Some courses require additional elements in your portfolio, such as artwork or media.
Fine Art
If you are applying for Fine Art, provide a visual portfolio of 5-10 images relevant to your major, each with a brief explanation (50 words or less). This may include: full colour examples of your finished artwork, examples of your work in progress, and examples of your visual research such as a critical review of precedents/case studies, or excerpts from your visual diary/
Design
If you are applying for a Bachelor of Design course, provide a visual portfolio of 5-10 images relevant to your major, each with a brief explanation (50 words or less). This may include: full colour examples of work in progress or finished work that demonstrates aptitude, knowledge and understanding of design principles and processes. Formats can include digital presentation, display boards or prototypes.
Interior Architecture
If you are applying for Interior Architecture, provide a visual portfolio of 5-10 images each with a brief explanation (50 words or less) that demonstrates your interest or understanding in interior architecture. This may include but is not limited to: freehand sketches, photography, design work, or examples of interiors that interest you.
Screen Arts
If you are applying for Screen Arts, provide 5-10 pages of relevant work that demonstrates an interest in screen arts and related disciplines. This should include a short video work of no more than 10 minutes, which you have made or been involved with as a key creative (cinematographer, editor, sound).
Alternatively, you may include: a short draft screenplay, a short documentary script, a portfolio of photographs, short stories, poems, graphic novels, drawings, or visualisations of song lyrics. Your portfolio must also include a brief explanation (50 words or less) that explains the context of the work and the authorship or role you have undertaken.
Primary Education
If you are applying for Primary Education, complete the Qualtrics questionnaire to meet the Non-Academic entry requirement for Initial Teacher Education Courses.
How to apply
If you’re in year 12
You can apply for portfolio entry at any time through TISC, from 1 May 2023. Select the portfolio option for your preferred course. You’ll attach your portfolio documents to your TISC application.
Application dates
Check TISCOnline – Important Dates for 2023/2024 for closing dates. Attach portfolio documents to your application by 30 November 2023 for consideration in time for Main Round offers. Documents submitted after 30 November will be considered for Second Round.
When to expect a response
Early offers will be sent out from 17 July 2023 for the majority of courses. You can expect to hear back within a month of your application.
For all courses, TISC Main Round offers will be sent out on 22 December and Second Round offers will be sent out on 19 January 2024.
You can for portfolio entry directly to Curtin. Click ‘Apply now’ on the web page for your preferred course. You’ll upload your portfolio documents with your application. To meet Curtin’s documentation requirements, scan your original documents in colour, preferably as PDF or JPEG files.
Application dates
The application dates for the next intake periods are listed below:
Semester 1, 2024: Submit your application and portfolio for Semester 1, 2024 by 4.30pm on Monday 15 January 2024 AWST.
When to expect a response
You can expect to hear back from us regarding your application within 5 to 10 business days.