Pathways
Find your path to uni

If you are looking for a career change or didn’t get the marks for your dream degree, we have a number of pathway programs to get you started.

Open Foundation
Open Foundation is a free pathway program offered at the University of Newcastle for people who do not have the qualifications required for direct entry into an undergraduate degree program. Regardless of your background, you’ll develop the skills you need, not only to gain entry, but to find success at university and beyond.

You will receive a Certificate of Attainment from the University upon completing Open Foundation as evidence of the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from the program. Completion will also guarantee you admission into over 40 degrees at the University of Newcastle.

Yapug
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, Yapug is your second chance pathway to gain entry into university. Yapug offers flexible study options, offering full time and part time study options. To be eligible for a place you must be 18 + years old and provide confirmation of Aboriginality.

TAFE Guaranteed Entry
We understand that many of our successful students come to us after completing TAFE studies. That's why we offer TAFE guaranteed entry into many of our degrees. An added benefit of TAFE Guaranteed Entry is that you could also be eligible for credit towards your chosen degree. This means shorter study time and the chance to dive into your new career sooner.

Diplomas
Our diplomas are designed to provide you with a more supported start to university study. They cover key areas including arts and social sciences, business, engineering and the built environment, science and environmental science, information technology and educational studies. Taken over one year full-time or up to four years part-time, you can gain up to 80 units of credit and receive guaranteed entry into the second year of related degree programs. 

Entry Help and Schemes

Educational Access Scheme - Get up to four adjustment points if you have experienced educational or other disadvantage.

Elite Athlete Program - Get up to four adjustment points if you are applying as an elite athlete.

Adjustment Points for Regional and Rural Students - Get five adjustment points if you went to a regional or rural school in selected postcodes.

Year 12 Adjustment Points Scheme - Get up to four adjustment points for your HSC results in particular subjects.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Admission Scheme - Results in up to four additional adjustment points being added to ATAR.

Early Entry

Schools Recommendation Scheme 
Schools Recommendations Scheme (SRS) offers early entry and guaranteed accommodation and scholarship opportunities for eligible students. SRS gives you the opportunity to apply for an early offer based on your Year 11 results, and a rating of your aptitudes and ability in the following areas of study:

• Capacity for abstract thought and analysis
• Ability to organise ideas and articulate a position orally and articulate a position orally in written form
• Ability to work and learn independently 
• Motivation to achieve long-term goals
• Capacity for tertiary study

Year 12 Subject Spotlight Scheme
We believe that your ATAR doesn’t define who you are – it is your unique passions, abilities and ambitions that matter. Our Year 12 Subject Spotlight program rewards you with an offer for your hard work and strong results in English (Standard or Advanced) plus at least one subject related to your degree. So, you can take some of the stress out of your final school exams, knowing your ATAR isn’t all that matters. There is no separate application for the program – simply apply through UAC and have the University of Newcastle listed as your first preference to qualify.

Indigenous Early Entry Law Scheme

This scheme is specifically for Indigenous students interested in studying the Bachelor of Law (Honours) (Combined) program at the University of Newcastle. Student successful in this scheme can have a guaranteed place in a Law program before beginning their HSC. Students will also have access to a guaranteed place in University accommodation, a pre-law orientation session, mentoring scheme with senior Indigenous students and legal practitioners and support services from the Wollotuka Institute.

Refugee Early Entry Law Scheme

Our new Refugee Early Entry Scheme gives students with refugee status an opportunity to gain early entry to our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined degree.

Not only will you get early entry into this degree, you will have access to:

• A guaranteed place in University accommodation at the Callaghan Campus
• A pre-law orientation program
• A mentoring scheme pairing new students with more senior students
• Support services coordinated through the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education.

Have questions about any of our pathways and entry schemes? Drop an enquiry below and we'll get back to you ASAP!