half our country is currently on fire so this gif is appropriateÂ
1. If you want to go to uni, can you just register or do you have to write an application or even take a test?
Each student takes a state-based test in their final year of high school for each eligible subject. They are assigned a rank/ score, called an ATAR, based on a combination of their school mark and their examination marks.Â
Placement in most undergraduate courses are based off an individualâs ATAR score.Â
Some (private) universities, students who wish to enter university from non-traditional pathways and some courses may require a separate application, personal statement or further testing/ interviewing.Â
2. If you got accepted into the program, do you have to write applications for each separate course or can you just get into them?
Entry into most undergraduate courses is determined by your ATAR score/ rank.Â
Notable exceptions include undergraduate medicine (MBBS - though most Australian universities are phasing this out).
Entry into post-graduate courses usually depends on prior performance (usually in your undergraduate course or by comparable professional experience) and further testing and applications. Â
3. Does a type of higher education that isnât academic exist?
There is a technical/ vocation-based stream that parallels the university system. For example, TAFE. These courses can also be used as a means of university entry as well.Â
4. Are university confession pages on Facebook a thing?
5. How difficult are exams? Can you retake exams as you want or only if you fail? How many times can you retake them? How common is it for people to have to retake exams or even retake a course the next year?
Examination policy differs between universities.Â
Usually exams (i.e. end of semester/ unit exams) canât be re-taken unless it is your final exam for your degree.Â
Grading is a clusterfuck no matter what uni youâre at. The bell curve will end you.Â
6. Do you have pay for uni?
Yes. However, citizens essentially âloanâ money from the government and do only start repaying that loan through their taxes once they start earning an income (the threshold changes, but as of 2019, you had to start making repayments when you earned around $45k)
7. Not about universities but: how long does high school take?
Look, technically its around 5-6 years.Â
But some schools make an âarbitraryâ distinction between âmiddle schoolâ and âsenior/ upperâ school, the latter being the final 2/3 years you are in high school. Â
8. Is it common to get the highest possible grade? Whatâs equivalent to a (magna) cum laude?
WELCOME TO THE BELL CURVE (which most universities use. sorry for those that donât gg)
PRAY TO THE SCALING GODS.Â
also welcome to the AMERICANISATION OF AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES, WHEREBY WE USE GPAs BUT ALSO NUMBER AND LETTER GRADES, YET MAINTAIN THE UK SYSTEM OFÂ âHONOURSâ AND AWARDS IN A WEIRD HYBRID THAT DOESNâT REALLY TRANSLATE ACROSS ALL OUR UNVIERSITIES
AKA GRADING IS INCONSISTENT THROUGHOUT OUR NATION