🎓 Navigating University Applications with ATAR

Thinking about university but not sure where to start? From choosing the right uni to understanding ATARs and prerequisites, this blog will walk you through everything you need to know—so you can feel confident about your next steps.

4 months ago • 3 min read

By Manoj Arachige

📌 Feeling Overwhelmed by the Application Process?

It’s that time of year again—university applications are open, and you’re faced with dozens (if not hundreds) of course options, confusing prerequisites, and competitive ATAR requirements. It can be a lot to take in.

But don’t stress—before you hit submit, take a moment to explore your options and understand what each university and degree actually offers. Even similar-sounding courses can be vastly different depending on where you study.

Here’s how to break it all down and choose what’s best for you.

🧭 How to Find the Right University for You

University websites can feel like a maze at first. Most unis group their degrees under broad areas of study like Health, Arts, Engineering, and Science. Start by clicking on your area of interest, then browse through individual courses.

Many universities also publish course guides or digital handbooks that summarise their programs. These are great tools for quick comparisons.

Another useful resource is Open Universities Australia, which lets you compare multiple university courses side-by-side. You can look at:

Program duration
Entry requirements
Course content and focus

💡 Pro tip: Read student reviews and talk to current students or graduates. Their insights can help you understand what studying at that university is actually like.

📖 How to Check if a Course Has Prerequisites

Once you’ve found a course you like, check if it has any prerequisite subjects—usually listed under the “Entry Requirements” section on the course webpage.

Common prerequisites include subjects like:

Maths or Chemistry for engineering or science
English for most courses
Biology or Health for medicine or nursing

If you’re in Year 10 or 11, use this info to guide your subject selection for senior school. If you’re already in Year 12 and missed a required subject, don’t panic. Many universities offer:

Pathway programs
Bridging courses
Alternative entry options

Still unsure? Attend an Open Day or contact the university’s admissions team—they’ll be happy to help.

📊 What ATAR Do I Really Need?

ATAR calculator

ATAR stress is real—but it’s important to keep it in perspective. Not all courses require a high ATAR, and your final score doesn’t define your future.

Every university lists a Guaranteed Entry ATAR (sometimes called the minimum selection rank) on their course pages. This is the score that guarantees your spot if you meet all the other requirements.

But here’s the good news:
Even if you fall just short, you may still get in. Admission offers can vary each year based on:

The number of applicants
Course popularity
Individual subject results

You can also check historical admission data (usually available on university websites) to see:

Median ATARs of past students
How many students were accepted

Still confused about how ATARs work? Check out our guide to the ATAR.

Check out more of your University and Degree selection guides

🧠 Final Thoughts on Uni Applications

Getting into university might seem complicated—but with the right tools and a bit of research, it becomes much more manageable. Let’s recap:

✅ Compare courses across universities—they can vary more than you think
✅ Check prerequisite subjects early, especially if you're in Year 10 or 11
✅ Don’t stress too much about ATARs—there are always alternative pathways
✅ Ask for help! Whether it’s from uni staff, current students, or a tutor, you don’t have to do it alone

University is a big step, but it’s also the start of an exciting new chapter. You’ve got this 🙌