UWA Catalyst – STEM Pathway Program
If you’re ready to make your mark in science and technology, this STEM-focused pathway is your catalyst.
Science and technology are shaping our future world. From advancing health and technology to solving complex global challenges, innovation depends on people who can question, analyse and create solutions.
UWA Catalyst gives you the opportunity to be part of that future by strengthening your understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts and preparing you to continue into a range of STEM majors within the Bachelor of Science.
With or without an ATAR, this free one-semester course is your catalyst to break through into STEM with confidence. You’ll grow your analytical abilities, enhance your academic skills and learn how to interpret information with a scientific mindset. Through hands-on guided learning, you’ll apply STEM concepts to real-world scenarios and sharpen your problem solving, research and reasoning skills along the way.
Throughout the program, you’ll explore ideas that connect directly to STEM majors within the Bachelor of Science, helping you discover the areas that excite and inspire you most. Your pathway may lead into majors such as:
- Anatomy and Human Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Environmental Science
- Exercise and Health
- Marine Biology
- Sport Science
- Physiology
With support from teachers who are leaders in their field, access to UWA’s learning resources and STEM community, you’ll feel equipped to navigate uni-level study and understand the foundation of STEM disciplines. You’ll also have opportunities to develop independent learning strategies that help you thrive throughout your degree.
Program Details
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission and entry into a UWA Pathway Program you must meet the following entry requirements:
- Be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, permanent humanitarian visa holder, or other permanent visa holder.
- Be past the compulsory school age as defined by the Western Australian School Education Act 1999 in the year you wish to study in the program.
- Achieve a general English 'C' grade or ATAR English 'D' grade in Year 11 or 12, or
- Be a mature age student with a Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (A mark of 110 or greater in the STAT Written English component), or
- Complete the Duolingo English test with an overall score of 115, with no sub score below 100.
Program structure
- PWAY0001 Preparing for University Success
- PWAY0004 Communication Mastery
- PWAY0007 Research and Writing for University Success
- PWAY0009 Maths for STEM
And select one of the following units:
- PWAY0008 Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology
- PWAY0010 Principles and Applications of Chemistry
Duration & start dates
- Non-school leaver: 6-month duration, starting in Semester 2, 2026
- Year 12 students: 1 year duration, starting in Semester 1, 2027
For more information, contact pathways@uwa.edu.au
How to apply
If you are a current Year 12 student interested in applying for a UWA Pathway Program, apply via TISC.
If you are a non-school leaver please apply now , selecting the "non-school leaver" option.
For more information and support starting your journey, contact pathways@uwa.edu.au.
Where this course takes you
When you complete the program, you’ll have the momentum to move into courses such as the:
Bachelor of Science, with majors in:
- Chemistry,
- Computer Science,
- Cybersecurity,
- Data Science,
- Environmental Science,
- Marine Biology,
- Mathematics,
- Physics, or
- Statistics
This list is not exhaustive. If you need support selecting your pathway, contact pathways@uwa.edu.au.