7 Ways To Get Bonus Points When Applying To Uni

Your School

Students from schools that have a good relationship with a particular uni are sometimes awarded bonus points towards that uni. So, if there are any unis near your high school, it could be worth checking if there are any hidden perks you could be taking advantage of. It's often based on your location, e.g. if your school is within a 5km radius of the uni. 

Subject Bonus Points

If you’re someone who’s dead-set on studying physics or maths at uni, you were probably pretty pissed when you found out that English is a compulsory subject in Year 12. Here you are, nailing all your chosen subjects, but then your terrible result in English brings your ATAR down a few desperately-needed points.

We get it – some people are just better with numbers than they are with words. And fortunately for you, some unis get it too.

If you’re absolutely killing it in a subject that is closely related to the degree you’ve applied for, then you could be eligible for some sweet, sweet bonus points.

Regional Schools

If you live or attended a school somewhere rural or regional, then there’s a good chance your ATAR will be getting a few extra points added on top. This is because most unis recognise that you probs didn’t have access to the same resources as the people studying in cities or larger towns.

Elite Athlete and Academic Performers

If you and I undertook a thorough test of our physical abilities and our results were exactly opposite, then there’s a good chance that you’re extremely athletic.

If you excel at a certain sport, or you’re a musical virtuoso, a talented dancer, a gun debater, an actor who shines or even a chess master, then you’ve probably lost a lot of study time due to your other commitments. Unis understand this, and there might be one out there that’s willing to crank that ATAR of yours up a few extra points in order to get you to study with them.

Special entry and Access Schemes

Some people can’t reach their full academic potential at school. This can be due to a variety of life circumstances such as financial hardship, illness or disability, difficulties with the English language, or a home life that demands that you spend less time studying and more time on other responsibilities.

If you feel like something here is describing your situation, then you could get in contact with a Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and apply – there’s nothing to lose, and only bonus points to gain.

School Recommendations Scheme

Sometimes ya don’t get the ATAR you needed for a particular course, even though you would’ve absolutely killed it in that course. But if you’ve got serious potential, and your teachers or your school are willing to vouch for it, then a uni might be willing to listen and potentially chuck a few bonus points your way.

Leadership and Duke of Ed

Lastly, if you’ve displayed some serious leadership qualities, then a uni might pretty keen on having you in their course – even if your ATAR fell a few points short of the mark. Leadership bonus points can be awarded for things like completing your Duke of Ed or for being a school captain.

So there ya have it people, not all hope is lost!

For some of these bonus points, you won’t even have to do anything to receive them. If you’re eligible, you’ll be getting them whether you were aware they existed or not.

But for others, you may have to go go to the extra effort of actually applying for them. Either way, it's worth it, it’s best to check out your chosen university’s website to see what bonus points they offer, and what the requirements are in order to receive them.

Check out these links for more info on the specifics of bonus points in your state:

• NSW: www.uac.edu.au/
• VIC: www.vtac.edu.au/
• QLD: www.qtac.edu.au/ 
• SA & NT: www.satac.edu.au/
• WA: www.tisc.edu.au/static/home.tisc
• TAS: www.utas.edu.au/