You don’t have to wait until you have finished high school to start planning your university adventure. From year 10 onwards, you can take advantage of opportunities to connect with us. This is a great way to enhance your ATAR score and even finish university quicker.
If you still need help, you can reach out to us through an enquiry online or book a 1:1 in-person appointment.
And at any age and stage, you are also welcome to visit us at one of our upcoming Open Day 2026 events in Sydney, Hobart, Launceston or Burnie!
Get started
You are coming to the end of your high school journey, and there are some big decisions that will need to be made over the next two years. Now is the time to really reflect on what you will need for your next step and make a plan for how you will get there. Here are some helpful tools to get you started.
Download our inspiration guide and spend time filling it out to help you think about your passions.
Future Student Booklet (PDF 4.8 MB) Contact us
Plan your subjects for years 11 and 12
There may be courses at university that interest you where you need to reach a particular ATAR score or where you need to have done a subject in year 11/12 to be eligible for an offer. For Tasmanian students you can use the TCE Course Planner - TASC to help you to plan out your two years to ensure you have ticked all the boxes you need. For other states ask your local secondary school for their course planner to help get you started.
Attend a university transition day
Each of your local secondary schools will offer year 10 students a day where they can come on campus and get a taster for what to expect over the next two years.
Use this day to get a taste for your potential subjects you might study so you can figure out what sparks you joy.
Finding work experience
Talk to your school career advisor or senior staff about how you can take advantage of work experience opportunities.
You might be a hands-on learner who would benefit from being on work experience out in the community to help you decide on a future career.
Tapping into your talents
For Tasmanian students, do more of what you love by choosing to complete units from our University Connections Program.
These units will add to your ATAR, and some may even give you credit towards your future University degree.
For students in other states check out what is on offer through your local secondary school as an extension program.
Prize for year 10 Tasmania Aboriginal Students
Riawunna wurakara to Higher Education is a bursary program offered by the University of Tasmania and the Riawunna Centre to support young Tasmanian Aboriginal students as they continue their education through Years 11 and 12. As part of the Springboard to Higher Education initiative, the program encourages students to stay engaged in learning and consider pathways to university. Eligible students can receive up to $2,000 to help cover costs related to their studies. Ask your school mid-year about how to apply for the prize.
Springboard to Higher Education: Supporting Future Scholars
This program, led by the University, helps young Tasmanians explore university pathways and prepare for future study. Through financial support, mentoring, and engagement activities during Years 11 and 12, the program builds confidence and connection with university life. Over 50 Tasmanian public schools nominate students who show potential and would benefit from early support. Thanks to generous donors and partners, Springboard continues to make higher education more accessible for students across the state.
Year 11 is a year to truly test your passions for subjects and courses. It is a time to ensure you have what you need to get your ATAR. It is also a time to start thinking about what your university journey will look like and begin to connect with courses and careers.
Check off some of the following steps to ensure you are setting yourself up for success:
- Attend your home group/career life planning classes at your secondary school to help get your certificate of education.
- Set up a meeting with your school careers advisor to discuss pathways and options for after school.
- Find out when your school is having its next careers or university event so you can start researching options.
- Get familiar with the subjects you will need to complete to get into your chosen University course. Every university is different, but for ours, you can download our flyers that list our prerequisites for all courses.
Science, Technology and Engineering courses (PDF 179.8 KB) Health and Medicine Courses (PDF 151.7 KB) - Book a meeting with us: Discuss your pathways and options one-on-one with us to ensure you get the advice that suits your needs.
- Watch a webinar: Hear from our experts in the field so you feel more informed.
- Gifted learner program: If you are a gifted learner, consider doing a unit from the High Achiever’s Program.
- Get your Unique Student Identifier and tax file number:
Apply for a USI and Apply for a Tax file number
Opportunities to explore science in action: The University of Tasmania offers two exciting, hands-on programs designed to spark your curiosity and connect you with real-world research. The Maria Island Marine Biology Experience takes you on a six-day adventure into Tasmania’s coastal ecosystems, where you’ll dive into marine research and present your findings at IMAS. Or join the Feed Your Mind, Feed the World camp for three days of agricultural science in Northwest Tasmania. Tour farms, meet industry experts, and discover how science is shaping the future of food.
You made it! You finally get to put your plan into action, set yourself up for an amazing first year at university and inform your family what you are going to do next year!
This year, you will also need to tick off a couple of tasks at the start of the year to ensure you are prepared for what's next.
- Visit our Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) website: Your family might want some information on what your school will be talking to you about to prepare you for your final year. You can send them here to learn all about how the ATAR conversion and VET pathways work.
- Visit our school leaver hub: a source of all school leaver information alongside our relocation webpage to help you plan out your move from home to university.
How can parents and carers support you?
If your parents or careers are asking you what you need to do to prepare for life after school you can send them to the following resources:
Unlock your potential
If you are a gifted learner or athlete, you might want to consider some of our extension programs that will elevate your university experience.
The Catalyst Program provides high achieving students with extra experiences, activities and opportunities. These include overseas trips, summer research programs, scholarships, special events, and more.
The Bachelor of Philosophy is a fee-free, dual degree, teaching students to be future leaders. This bachelor's course offers units on leadership and service, research and multidisciplinary perspectives.
The University of Tasmania Elite Athlete Program exists to support students who compete in elite level sport. To aid you in achieving your goals, our benefits include: p
- Full access to our state wide gym facilities
- Study support to help maintain a balance between your sporting and academic goals
- Access to additional scholarship and bursary opportunities
- Personalised support from our Elite Athlete Program Coordinator
If you're still in high school, the High Achievers Program allows students to gain credit for their future studies, and to have an early experience of university life.
As well as providing students with academic challenge and the chance to experience University life, the High Achiever Program offers a number of other benefits including:
- Subsidised course costs
- Credit towards a University of Tasmania Degree
- Counting units towards the ATAR
- Access to facilities and support services
- Guaranteed offer of a place in a university degree program
Celebrating your academic achievements
As you work hard in your studies each year, your eligible units of study will award prizes to their top performing students to celebrate their hard work. These prizes can range in value, but check out the list of prizes to see what you could be awarded.
We don’t just celebrate you year to year; if you achieve a GPA of 6.25 or higher, you will be placed on the University Roll of Excellence for your outstanding achievement in your area of study. Check out the eligibility criteria.