The pathways we take to university don't always look the same. Whether you're fresh out of high school, joining with some life experience or after finishing a vocational qualification, there is a place for you. The University values vocational education and believes that when you complete a vocational qualification, you deserve to have your experience and study recognised.
If you’ve completed a vocational qualification with TAFE or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO), you’re already on the path toward a university qualification. Previous vocational study can be counted toward your university entry and may even reduce the time it takes to complete your university studies through credit for prior study.
Credit for prior vocational study
We have formal agreements where you are guaranteed credit for some of our degrees. Please visit the following course pages for full details of the vocational qualifications you need to have completed:
- Bachelor of Business (B3A)
- Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (P3T)
- Bachelor of Social Work with Honours (A4S)
In addition to these formal agreements, we also offer credit for a wide range of vocational qualifications.
Generally, you can gain credit for your completed vocational qualifications if:
- It is a similar study area as your proposed university study
- It is classified as AQF level 5 or higher (Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
- It was completed no more than 10 years ago
Depending on the course and vocational qualification, you may receive credit for specific university units. Sometimes, you'll receive block credit for one or two semesters and will enter the course at a higher year level. This means you will have fewer units to study and/or less time needed to complete your course, reducing your overall study cost.
How to apply for credit?
- Apply for your course of interest and accept your offer
- Register for the StudyLink application portal and follow the prompts to submit your credit application and any required documentation. You’ll need to provide evidence of completion (qualification) and an academic transcript listing units awarded in your qualification.
Entry to University
Admission to courses is available based on a wide variety of qualifications, backgrounds, and experiences. If your previous completed vocational qualification is at the AQF Level 3 or higher (minimum qualification level is Certificate III), it may be considered as the basis for university admission.
Generally, AQF Level 3 qualifications (Certificate III) will meet the general entry requirements for pre-degree courses (i.e. diplomas, associate degrees) and AQF Level 4 qualifications (Certification IV) will meet the general entry requirements for undergraduate courses (i.e. bachelor's degrees).
More information
If you have questions, please contact the Uni Info Centre. You can call us on 13 8827 (13 UTAS) or email us at course.info@utas.edu.au
Current and past TasTAFE students are normally assessed on the basis of their successful completion or partial completion of a TAFE award course (Cert III or higher.) Applicants will need to provide the University of Tasmania with a certified copy of their TasTAFE transcript of results with their Application for Admission form.
There are articulation pathways and credit arrangements between the TasTAFE and the University of Tasmania. You can find detailed information, including how much credit you could expect to receive towards a University of Tasmania degree, about TAFE/VET pathways on the Articulation/Credit (double advantage) website.
Required attendance at lectures and tutorials (called "contact hours") can be as little as 12 hours a week for a full-time enrolment, but the timetabling may be scattered throughout the week. You should think of full-time study as equivalent to a full-time job – that is, about 36 hours a week, or 8-9 hours per subject. Included in this study time is reading for tutorials, assignment preparation, and study for any end-of-semester exams.
We understand that starting at the University of Tasmania can be quite daunting, especially if you haven't previously undertaken university study. The University of Tasmania has a number of support programs to assist you in the transition to university, For detailed information, including how to apply, a list of transition and enabling programs are available from the Future Students website. To find out what programs are available, please go to the Pathway Programs.