Turn your life experience into something life-changingExperience-based entry

At UWA, your ambition and achievements outside the classroom also matter. We know your ATAR isn’t the only way to measure your ability to succeed. And we believe if you’re bright, motivated, and passionate, you should have the opportunity to kick-start your career at WA’s top ranked university (QS 2027).

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That’s why UWA created Experience-based entry, which allows you to apply for a select number of our undergraduate bachelor's degrees using a combination of academic achievements and life experiences. We will assess all your qualifications and life experiences using a point system, where points will be awarded for each item submitted, and the total number of points will determine your eligibility for your chosen course.

Courses available

You can apply for one of undergraduate bachelor’s degrees listed below and choose from a wide variety of majors:

Check your eligibility

Checking your eligibility is easy! Simply use our eligibility checker and select the academic and life achievements relevant to you. Based on the items you select, you’ll be able to get an indication if you’d be eligible to kick start your career journey at UWA.

Eligibility checker

How to apply

Select which option best suits you and find out how you can apply for entry to UWA through our Experience-based entry program.

Current Year 12 students

If you’re currently in Year 12 and seeking admission to UWA through Experience-based entry, you can apply through TISC.

Apply through TISC

WA Secondary school leavers ATAR

If you’re a WA secondary school leaver and feel your ATAR hasn’t quite reflected your capability and your passion for learning, you can apply through TISC to UWA for Experience-based entry. We’ll use your ATAR Subject scores in combination with your academic achievements and life experiences to assess you for entry. 

Apply through TISC

WA Secondary school leavers - General Courses students 

If you’ve completed General Courses, you can apply through TISC to UWA for Experience-based entry. We’ll just need you to supply the following documents to support your application, such as:  

Academic awards and qualifications (AQF Certificates - you do not need to provide WACE and ATAR results)
Extra-curricular awards or certificates
Life and sporting achievements
Work experience (résumé)
Education references

Apply through TISC

TAFE and VET students

If you’ve completed a TAFE or Vocational Education Training (VET), you can apply direct to UWA for Experience-based entry. We’ll just need you to supply the following documents to support your application, such as:

Academic awards and qualifications (AQF Certificates - you do not need to provide WACE and ATAR results)
Extra-curricular awards or certificates
Life and sporting achievements
Work experience (résumé)
Education references

Apply now

Mature-age students

If you’re 20 years of age or older and have little or no previous study experience at tertiary level, you can apply direct to UWA through Experience-based entry using a combination of documents such as:

Academic awards and qualifications (AQF Certificates, previous secondary school results - you do not need to provide WA school results)
Extra-curricular awards or certificates
Life and sporting achievements
Work experience (résumé) and professional qualifications
Education references

Apply now

Studying at another university

If you’re currently studying at another university and are unable to transfer to UWA using your grades alone, you can apply direct to UWA through Experience-based entry using a combination of documents such as:

Academic awards and qualifications (AQF Certificates, previous secondary school results - you do not need to provide WA school results)
Extra-curricular awards or certificates
Life and sporting achievements
Work experience (résumé) and professional qualifications
Education references

Apply now

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How Experience-based entry works

Eligibility

This program is available to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents and holders of permanent humanitarian visas.

Students must satisfy UWA's English Language Competency requirements through secondary school, a recognised test of English or completion of a Communications unit at UWA. Students must also satisfy the prerequisite requirements for their chosen course either through secondary school or bridging units completed at UWA.

You can check your eligibility using our eligibility checker.

What documents do you need for your application

Documents which may be submitted include evidence of:

Completed AQF awards (Level II-IV) or an incomplete AQF Diploma
Completed ATAR and ATAR subjects (completed interstate only. We have access to results completed in WA)
Completed general subjects (you only need to supply this if you’ve completed your studies interstate. We have access to results completed in WA)
Completed high school or other awards completed interstate or overseas
Work experience (resume)
Life achievements and commitments (including sport, music, volunteering etc.) 
An education reference
Volunteer or community engagement

Were here to support you

UWA’s comprehensive support services for health, wellbeing and academic success to ensure you get the help and support you need to succeed. You'll also have the opportunity to connect with a wide network of peers to support you along the way.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I'm eligible?

Checking your eligibility is easy! You can check your eligibility using our eligibility checker, where you select the academic and life achievements relevant to you. Based on the items you select; we can predict your eligibility for entry to our comprehensive bachelor's degrees. You can contact our friendly Future Students team on 131 UWA (131 892) or by submitting a question via askUWA. They’ll advise on the entry options available to you.

What kinds of experiences and activities can be included in my application?

We recognise that your life experiences, achievements, commitments, and academic qualifications are good preparation for university studies. You may like to highlight your educational achievements e.g., Shark Tank, Cambridge Project, Micro-credentials and Enabling Units, performance, volunteering, work experience, sporting achievements at a state or national level and awards; be sure to include an up-to-date résumé as part of your application.

What evidence do I need to provide in my application?

To help us assess your strengths and determine your eligibility for your preferred course, we ask that supporting documentation is uploaded for each item in your application and that an education reference is provided. Education references will be counted only once in determining your eligibility.

What if I want to study a specialised degree (e.g., Engineering) or a combined degree?

If there’s a specific course you’d like to study, you’ll just need to get started in one of our comprehensive bachelor’s degrees before transferring to your preferred degree. Before transferring, you’ll need to meet UWA’s transfer requirements.

Do certain experiences/activities impact an application more than others?

Experiences and activities are assessed according to their degree of difficulty or award status. For example, sporting participation is broken down into three categories; elite, sub-elite, and developmental, with each level providing a different number of points towards your total entry score. Other experiences such as volunteering have a single score component.

What is required for an education reference?

An education reference can come from a Career Advisor, High School Teacher or Coordinator, Principal, School Staff Member or TAFE/University Academic covering how they know the applicant and why they would recommend them for university entry. This is also an opportunity to highlight any academic achievements the student has made throughout their studies in addition to any community engagement, extracurricular activities, leadership abilities, volunteering, problem-solving skills and team collaboration skills.

The education reference should be no more than two pages and must be on institution letterhead, signed by the referee. Please include:

Applicant full name
Applicant school name
Reference full name
Reference role
Reference email address
Reference contact number

Is it a point system? How do I know how many points a certain activity is worth? How many points do I need to achieve?

Eligibility through the UWA’s Experience-based entry is determined using a considered point system. You can check to see whether you’d be eligible for entry to our courses before making an application by using our online eligibility checker.

What if I don't meet the requirements? Will UWA give me advice on what I could do differently in my application, or how many more points I require to be eligible?

Yes, absolutely. If you apply and don’t meet our eligibility criteria, we’ll get in touch with you to discuss how you can start your UWA journey. At any point, you can always contact our friendly Future Students team.

Will I need to achieve specific grades in my General Subjects?

Yes, only grades of A and B will be used to determine eligibility for this program.

What are some examples of applicants that would be eligible?

Meet Myles – a passion for sports

Interested in the field of sports management

Qualifications:

ATAR of 63.50
Plays football for South Fremantle (Colts)
Completed one University Enabling unit
Has been a volunteer at Perth Football Club for one year

Eligible for experience-based entry (satisfied English Language Competency through ATAR English

UWA course: Bachelor of Science
Degree-specific major: Sport Science
Second major: Management

Meet Sarah – a budding politician

Interested in politics and climate change

Qualifications:

Completed Certificate IV
Completed General Subjects (2xA and 2xB)
Education reference from her teacher

Eligible for experience-based entry (conditional upon satisfying English Language Competency)

UWA course: Bachelor of Arts
Degree-specific major: Political Science and International Relations
Second major: Conservation Biology

Meet Sam – an aspiring sound designer

Interested in creating music

Qualifications:

Completed General Subjects (2xB and 2xC)
AMEB Music Exam Level 5
Completed one year of work experience at Joe’s Record Store
Education reference from their teacher

Not Eligible for experience-based entry (but received a conditional offer based on a Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test)

UWA course: Bachelor of Arts
Degree-specific major: Electronic Music and Sound Design

How can I meet UWAs English Language Competency (ELC)?

You can achieve the ELC requirements for UWA by obtaining a final school grade of C or a final scaled mark of 50 or more in WACE ATAR English, Literature or EALD, through completion of a recognised test of English or by completing a communications unit at UWA in your first semester.

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All the information you need

Discover life at UWA through our students and graduates. Explore scholarships and financial support, and find the resources to help you—or someone you know—take the next step toward joining our community.

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Need some help? Get in touch

View FAQs
View our Frequently Asked Questions for all UWA-related queries.
Visit AskUWA
Domestic students
Open 8.30am - 5.00pm (AWST) Monday to Friday
Online enquiry
131 UWA (131 892)
International students
Open 8.30am - 5.00pm (AWST) Monday to Friday
Online enquiry
+61 8 6488 1000
Visit UWA
Visit the Future Students Centre between 9.00am - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, or book an appointment.
Book appointment
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Turn your life experience into something life-changingExperience-based entry

Courses available

Check your eligibility

How to apply

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How Experience-based entry works

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Frequently asked questions

Meet Myles – a passion for sports

Meet Sarah – a budding politician

Meet Sam – an aspiring sound designer

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All the information you need

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Need some help? Get in touch

View FAQs

Domestic students

International students

Visit UWA

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Meet Myles – a passion for sports

Meet Sarah – a budding politician

Meet Sam – an aspiring sound designer

Need some help? Get in touch

View FAQs

Domestic students

International students

Visit UWA