High Achiever Program

The University of Tasmania’s High Achiever Program provides a unique educational experience for high-achieving Tasmanian senior secondary students to study at university as part of their Tasmanian Certificate of Education or International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

The aims of the Program are to:

• Provide unique educational opportunities for high achieving Year 11/12 students to start university early
• To build familiarity and confidence with university level learning
• To encourage and support pathways to University of Tasmania courses

All successfully completed High Achiever Program units contribute towards the Tasmanian Certificate of Education or International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. Scaled unit results are also eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). Please see the tab 'High Achiever Program Units and the ATAR'.

It is most common (and recommended) for students to undertake two semesters of learning in the High Achiever Program across the academic year.

Academic Challenge

The program is designed to engage and challenge academically high achieving students by providing an opportunity to enrol and participate in university subjects. Students may extend and enhance their TCE studies by undertaking in greater depth a particular subject or discipline area of interest. Depending on the units chosen, students will be required to attend lectures, tutorials or workshops and will be assessed along with first- or second-year University students.

Experience University Life

Our High Achiever Program students have a valuable chance to experience some of the wider aspects of university life while maintaining progress towards the TCE. Our HAP students get to experience different teaching styles and learning approaches at our University and have access to our facilities and services.

No Course Costs

Australian and permanent resident students undertaking University subjects under the High Achiever Program will not incur any course costs. There may, however, be some costs associated with studying such as textbooks and other learning materials.

Credit towards a University of Tasmania degree

Units successfully completed may be credited to a relevant degree when the student enrols at the University of Tasmania. Credit provides two advantages: students have the option of accelerating through their degree, or they can take on additional subjects to extend their study program.

To be eligible for the High Achiever Program, you are required to demonstrate very high levels of academic performance at senior secondary education or equivalent level. For this reason, please note that successful HAP applications will generally only be from students who are enrolled in Year 12 (i.e. in Year 11 at the time of application).

The current entry requirements for the University’s High Achiever Program include:

Entry into the HAP in Grade 12

For entry into the High Achiever Program, you will need to demonstrate in your application:

• Evidence of exceptional academic achievement. The best evidence is your results in TASC Level 3 or 4 subjects in Year 11. It is expected that students will have completed three Level 3 TASC subjects in Year 11, with at least 1 EA results and at least 2 HA results in the other subject completed in Year 11, as documented in school/college reports and subject scores.
• Exceptional Achievement in the general discipline being applied for. For example,an EA in Chinese 3 for entry into HAP Chinese or EA in Maths Methods or Physical Sciences for entry into HAP Maths or Sciences). Entry to other disciplines will be considered, but this will need to be supported by supporting school reports and within a student’s application.
• For Languages, additional evidence of excellence/high achievement and commitment to the study of languages. This includes exchanges/study tours, language tests and competitions such as language proficiency tests (e.g.- HSK- Chinese Language Proficiency Test; JLPT- Japanese Language Proficiency Test). Assessments of this evidence will include consultation with language academics to make appropriate recommendations regarding entry.
  
  Please note: you are not eligible to study HAP language units if you are a background speaker of the subject language (that is, if the language has been the primary language spoken in your home or the primary language of instruction during your education at primary school and/or high school).
• In other disciplinary areas, additional evidence of excellence/high achievement will also be considered during the application assessment process (e.g. awards, study exchanges). Assessments of this evidence will include consultation with disciplinary academics to make appropriate recommendations regarding entry.

All other elements relating to entry requirements to the HAP for entry into Grade 12 will stay the same, including special consideration for entry into HAP in Year 11.

Entry into the HAP in Grade 11

In the case that you are seeking to apply to do HAP in Year 11, a special case would need to be made for entry. The University will carefully consider your application to determine not only if there is sufficient evidence of exceptional achievement in your Grade 10 subjects (e.g. - mostly A’s in academic subjects) but also sufficient maturity to balance university level study along with your school based TASC subjects.

Your school/referee reports will need to provide a strong case to support your application for early entry to the High Achiever Program. School reports will need to explicitly address how the student is able to meet the academic requirements of the program, their maturity to do so and reference to the support of their school.

It is strongly recommended that school representatives of potential applicants who seek to enter the High Achiever Program in Grade 11 contact the High Achiever Program Academic Coordinator to discuss prior to the application deadline (Dr Jess Woodroffe - Jessica.Woodroffe@utas.edu.au).

Students who are unsuccessful in their application for entry in HAP in Grade 11, are eligible to apply for HAP in Grade 12.

All applications to the program will be assessed by the HAP Admissions Panel.

The HAP Admissions Panel is made up of the High Achiever Program Academic Coordinator and Head of Admissions (or delegate) and where needed, further advice from disciplines or academics.

The panel may decide to contact the school or student for further information, or to conduct a short interview to determine eligibility for the Program.

School/teachers who are nominated referees may also be contacted to make a final determination of suitability for a student who applies to the Program.

Please see the below listing for units available in the High Achiever Program:

• High Achiever Program Unit Offerings (PDF 180.9 KB)

How many HAP units can I study?

There is no limit to the number of HAP units a student can study. However, the HAP Admissions Panel will look closely at supporting school reports before approving enrolment into more than one unit per semester.

It is most common (and recommended) for HAP students to undertake a 12.5% unit in each of UTAS semesters 1 and 2.

How will the HAP be taught?

Most HAP units are taught flexibly with a mix of online and face to face delivery one of the University of Tasmania's campuses in Hobart, Launceston or the Cradle Coast. Available unit choices do vary from campus to campus, and it is possible to enrol on a different campus to where you are located via flexible delivery modes. Unit mode is subject to approval by the HAP Admissions Panel.

HAP units are supported by the My Learning Online (MyLO) platform.

A collaboration between the University of Tasmania and the Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards & Certification (TASC) allows results from High Achiever Program (HAP) units to be counted towards the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) in Tasmania.

A student’s Tertiary Entrance (TE) score is calculated by adding their best subject scores. The TE score is then used to calculate an ATAR.

The best subject scores are, in most cases, the best five subjects (worth 15 credit points each) totalling 75 credit points of study. At least three of these subjects must be completed in the final year of senior secondary study. Other rules may apply when calculating student TE scores. For example, the same course cannot be counted twice, and some approved university subjects are weighted according to the credit point weight of that subject. VET courses do not contribute to the TE score.

In the case of HAP units that contribute to the ATAR, a 12.5% university unit is worth only 8 credit points or is half the size of a full year TASC unit. HAP students typically study two 12.5% units across the year which equates to 150+ hours of learning, or an equivalent TASC Level 3 or 4 unit.

These university units are weighted according to their credit point value when they are included in the TE score (that is, a single 12.5% unit is only 8/15 the size of a normal Level 3 or Level 4 TASC subject), and as such only 8/15 of the HAP subject score achieved will be considered in the TE score calculation. However, both HAP subject scores are eligible for inclusion in the calculation.

All information relating to the ATAR and current University of Tasmania arrangements with TASC should be read in conjunction with the following resources: 

Understanding the ATAR as well as the ATAR web page.

Are HAP unit results scaled?

Yes. Scaling is calculated and applied each year to all eligible HAP unit results. The scaling process is determined and managed by TASC and is applied to all accredited senior secondary courses at TASC level 3 or 4 and to High Achiever and University Connections Program units. For more information about scaling, please see the TASC website.

All other enquiries should be directed via email to hap.info@utas.edu.au

Do HAP units count towards the Tasmanian Certificate of Education?

Yes, all successfully completed HAP units count towards the Tasmanian Certificate of Education. Two semesters of HAP study give 15 TCE points.

However, HAP units do not provide TCE ticks for literacy, numeracy or ICT. Please check your TASC TCE planner for more information.

Students apply online for the 2027 High Achiever Program. When applications have opened for 2027, a red apply button will appear on the home page of this website.

Online applications will close at midnight on Wednesday 2 December*

*Please note, supporting documentation required for your application including School Reports and TASC results (emailed out to students on the 16 December 2026) can be added to your application up until Friday 18 December, but all other aspects of the application, including personal statements, teacher references and school approvals must be completed by the 2 December deadline. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

To complete the online application, you will be required to upload copies of the following:

• Your latest school/ college report*
  *For Year 11s, this will be your August Report
  For Year 10s, this will be your end-of-year report (As some students receive this report after 2 December, this can be uploaded to the application by Friday 18 December)
• References from two of your teachers
• Approval from your school (e.g. Principal, Head of Teaching and Learning).
  Please use this form for your two references AND school approval: References and school approval PDF 146.9 KB. You can either type directly into the form or print it out and include handwritten responses
• Any additional evidence of your high achievement (e.g. awards, study exchanges, language proficiency tests)
• Your TASC Statement of Results (upload when these are emailed to you on Wednesday 16 December)

Students will also need to have:

• Parent/ guardian approval

Please use this application guide (PDF 1.7 MB) to assist you with your online application.

Shortly after the closing date, the HAP Admission Panel will review applicants' documentation and, if necessary, contact school referees or Principals for further information. Students will be assessed as to their suitability for their selected unit(s) in accordance with entry criteria and the stipulated pre-requisite or co-requisite TASC/IB subjects.

If the unit is not available, we will contact all applicants and discuss alternative units or the option of withdrawal.

You and your school will receive written notification of the application outcome early February 2027. It is an expectation that all students will be notified of the outcome of their application and enrolled in the Program by the time their school commences for Term 1.

The decision regarding your application is final.

HAP enquiries and applications should be sent to hap.info@utas.edu.au.

In order to enrol in a HAP unit, the University will first enrol you in a course.

From 2017, HAP students will be enrolled into the new X1P Diploma of Philosophy.

The Diploma of Philosophy provides an entry award for students for high-achieving students. The Diploma of Philosophy exists within the Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) suite of courses. It is specifically designed for academically high-achieving and gifted students to undertake study in addition to their main degree. The Diploma can also provide entry into bachelor's level study, however, specific units may need to be completed for articulation.

Successfully completed HAP units may be credited to a relevant degree (e.g. bachelor's degree) when the student enrols at the University of Tasmania. Credit can be used for successful completed HAP units studied within the Diploma of Philosophy in most bachelor’s degrees.

Yes. All students on the High Achiever Program will be guaranteed a place on a University undergraduate program, subject to meeting entry requirements and excluding quota courses. When you have completed your Year 11/12 studies, you will need to apply for entrance to the University as a Year 12 leaver through the standard procedures if you wish to gain a place in the degree program of your choice at UTAS on completion of your year 12 studies. However you can apply for credit for the units you have studied.

All assessments for HAP units will be exactly the same as if you were a University student. Depending on the unit, you may be required to submit assignments by the due date and/or sit exams during the assigned exam period along with your fellow class members.

If you are having problems meeting the deadlines for the internal assessment it might be a good idea to talk to your school High Achiever coordinator and/or your unit Lecturer. It is possible to get extensions if there is very good reason and they will be able to assist you in looking into this option. However it is very important when participating in the High Achiever program that you have good time management and don't leave everything to the last minute.

High Achiever Program students will have access to a range of support and information services.

See the Current Students website for more information on services such as:

• the University Library and related resources
• computer facilities on campus
• recreation and social activities (subject to age restrictions)
• a University identification card and email address
• academic and pastoral care support
• student discount programs, including UniGym membership

No, you are most welcome to wear what ever you feel comfortable in. You may feel more at ease in casual clothes.

Yes. Even though HAP students are not liable for HECS they still need to fill out the online eCAF form prior to census date. This form can be found through the UTAS eStudent online portal.

The High Achiever Program Guide to completing the eCAF form (PDF 765.8 KB).

If you don't have a Tax File Number you can skip this question when completing the eCAF. You can supply your TFN at a later date.

It is very important to check your UTAS email account regularly as this is the main mode of communication used by the University and you don't want to miss out on any important information. If your HAP unit has a MyLO presence, again it is vital to check this regularly for updates on unit information such as timetable changes, assessment and other information.