University of New England
Studying at UNE
On campus
At the University of New England (UNE), you get more than a degree, you get a complete university experience: a vibrant, supportive community, small classes, and easy access to your expert lecturers. This means that you get every opportunity to reach your potential and get the very best start (plus some great memories along the way).
UNE remains one of the few universities to provide the complete on-campus experience, combining affordability, student support and community, as well as extensive sporting facilities. Study with UNE and see why we get the maximum five-star rating from graduates for Overall Experience in The Good Universities Guide 17 years in a row.*
*The Good Universities Guide Ratings 2007–23. The Good Universities Guide provides the only independent performance ratings of Australian undergraduate courses and their providers.
Online
Future Fit your life
At UNE we know it takes more than being online to be a great online university. It takes time, and a lifetime’s experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s. And we’ve been perfecting it ever since. Our mission is to help ordinary people Future Fit their life in response to the rapidly changing world in which we live.
We now have more than 18,000 online students studying over 170 online courses.
We provide 24/7 tutor support and even our exams are online. We have three teaching periods (trimesters), commencing in February, June and October, giving students greater choice about when and how much they study each year.
Campus visits
A campus tour at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW is a great way to experience the lifestyle of a university student. Campus tours are conducted on Monday and Friday at 9.30am and 1.30pm each week (excluding public holidays) and take approximately two and a half hours. Bookings are essential. Book a free campus tour online at une.edu.au/campustours or call 1800 818 865.
Important dates
Trimester 1
Monday, 26 February – Friday, 24 May 2024
Orientation Week: Monday, 19 February – Friday, 23 February 2024
Trimester 2
Monday, 24 June – Friday, 20 September 2024
Orientation: Friday, 21 June 2024
Trimester 3
Monday, 21 October – Friday, 31 January 2024
Orientation: Friday, 18 October 2024
Pathways
If it’s been a while since you last studied or if you don’t have entry qualifications, UNE offers a range of pathways to help get you on your way, including the: Pathways Enabling Course; Undergraduate Certificates in a variety of areas; selected discipline specific Diploma courses as pathways to Agriculture, Business, Information Technology, Science or Law; or the TRACKS Tertiary Preparation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
The Pathways Enabling Course is studied fully online, has no tuition fees and will give you entry and credit to most undergraduate degrees at UNE. Visit une.edu.au/pathways for more information or call 1800 818 865
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
UNE’s Oorala Aboriginal Centre provides coordinated academic services and study facilities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Oorala also offers dedicated pathways to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants seeking admission to UNE. The Internal Selection Program is a one-day testing and assessment program which focuses on each participant’s study skills and career goals.
Following an interview, participants are recommended for admission to either mainstream UNE courses or the TRACKS Tertiary Preparation Program and advised on suitable alternatives for study in their chosen field.
The TRACKS Tertiary Preparation Program is a flexible, on-campus or online university preparation course. The program provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the opportunity to access and explore tertiary education, while also developing the skills required for undergraduate study. Successful completion of TRACKS will provide entry into an undergraduate degree program.
To find out more, visit une.edu.au/oorala.
Selection rank adjustments
UNE will increase your selection rank by a maximum of five points across the following categories:
Equity adjustments – for students who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage. Submit an EAS application through QTAC. Visit qtac.edu.au/educationalaccess-scheme for more information.
Location adjustments – for students who live in regional, rural and remote locations. Adjustments are applied automatically to a QTAC application. Adjustments are not applied to applications for the Joint Medical Program and B Music. For details, and a link to an eligible postcode look-up tool, search for ‘adjustment factors’ at une.edu.au.
To be eligible for admission to a UNE course, you must satisfy all entry requirements. These requirements include English language proficiency, subject prerequisites, entry score (ATAR/selection rank) and, for some courses, course specific requirements.
You are selected on the basis of an ATAR or selection rank for most courses. A selection rank can be assigned to a range of recognised qualifications as well as admission pathways such as paid work experience and special admissions tests.
UNE will generally use the best of the ranks assigned (age restrictions and other requirements may apply for some qualifications and entry pathways, and some course exceptions may also apply).
For more information about admissions policies, refer to the Course Rules and Plans tab of each course on the information web page in the UNE Course and Unit Catalogue.
If you have undertaken previous recognised higher education level study (e.g. AQF bachelor degree level and higher) this will be assigned a selection rank based on the level, duration and Grade Point Average (GPA) of the study.
If you have several selection ranks calculated (e.g. ranks based on year 12 results, VET study, higher education study, employment), you will generally be considered on the highest rank. Exceptions may apply to some courses and courses with additional entry requirements.
You are also required to meet relevant subject prerequisites for the course you are applying for. These can be satisfied by successfully completing Senior secondary subjects (or equivalent). You must also satisfy any additional entry requirements.
Credit transfer/recognition of prior learning
Information on credit transfer for previous study can be found under the heading Advanced Standing and credit for Prior Learning in the Entry Requirements section of each course information web page in the UNE Course and Unit Catalogue.
Credit referred to in the catalogue as based on ‘admission to candidature’ will be automatically assessed with your admission application. Some courses rules provide for pre-approved credit for a combination of prior study and relevant employment experience.
Similarly, credit for previous UNE units of study can also be assessed with your admission application. In these cases, there is no need to apply separately for credit.
All other credit assessments require formal lodgement of a separate credit application with supporting documentation such as a certified official academic transcript and unit descriptions for the units you are relying on for the credit to be granted. Refer to Part C – Credit of the UNE policy on advanced standing for more information.
Bridging and enabling course entry
UNE recognises a number of bridging and enabling courses undertaken at recognised Australian providers for entry. Contact UNE for more information.
Completed competency-based and graded AQF certificates III and IV, AQF diplomas and sub-degree level study (based on level, duration, Grade Point Average (GPA) will be assigned a selection rank.
If you have several selection ranks (e.g. based on year 12 results, VET study, higher education study, employment), you will generally be considered on the highest rank. Some course exceptions may apply.
You must also meet relevant subject prerequisites for the course you are applying for. These can be satisfied by successfully completing Senior secondary subjects (or equivalent).
Subject prerequisites are not generally able to be met through certificate-level study.
You must also satisfy any additional entry requirements.
Credit transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning
Information on credit transfer for previous study can be found under the heading Advanced Standing and credit for Prior Learning in the Entry Requirements section of each course information web page in the UNE Course and Unit Catalogue.
Credit referred to in the catalogue as based on ‘admission to candidature’ will be automatically assessed with your admission application. Some courses rules provide for pre-approved credit for a combination of prior study and relevant employment experience. Similarly, credit for previous UNE units of study can also be assessed with your admission application. In these cases there is no need to apply separately for credit.
All other credit assessments require formal lodgement of a separate credit application with supporting documentation such as a certified official academic transcript and unit descriptions for the units you are relying on for the credit to be granted. Refer to Part C – Credit of the UNE policy on advanced standing for more information.
Post-secondary professional and paraprofessional qualifications and service will be considered, including:
- some creative arts, language and civil aviation qualifications
- memberships of professional associations for which qualifying exams are undertaken
- police, defence and emergency services experience.
You may also use admission pathways such as employment experience and the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); age restrictions apply. STAT results are not accepted for current Year 12 students or for applicants under the age of 18. STAT is not accepted for graduate entry programs. STAT is only valid for three years from the sitting date of the test.
If you have several selection ranks (e.g. based on year 12 results, VET study, higher education study, employment), you will generally be considered on the highest rank. Some course exceptions may apply.
You are also required to meet relevant subject prerequisites for the course you are applying for. These can be satisfied by successfully completing Senior secondary subjects (or equivalent). You must also satisfy any additional entry requirements.
Applicants without formal qualifications should visit the UNE website for more information.
Bridging and Enabling Course Entry
UNE offers the following enabling courses:
UNE Pathways Enabling Course
The UNE Pathways Enabling Course is a short course which provides a pathway to UNE courses. For more information, visit the UNE website.
TRACKS Tertiary Preparation Course
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) applicants have the option of undertaking the TRACKS Tertiary Preparation Program to be part of a community of other like-minded ATSI students, sharing similar goals and interests that lead to admission into mainstream UNE courses.
Current Queensland Year 12 ATAR-eligible students will be considered for an offer based on their ATAR (or other recognised qualifications undertaken while at school).
Current Queensland Year 12 students who are ineligible to receive an ATAR may be considered for an offer based on other recognised qualifications undertaken while at school.
Current Interstate Year 12 students will be assigned a selection rank based on their ATAR and will be considered for an offer based on this selection rank (or other recognised qualifications undertaken while at school).
Current International Baccalaureate (IB) students will be assigned a selection rank based on the score from the completed IB Diploma. As agreed by admissions centres around Australia, the IB score is converted to a ‘combined rank’. The combined rank is on the same scale as the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank). This is then converted to QTAC selection rank. For more information, visit International Baccalaureate (IB) studies. IB Diploma students will be considered for an offer based on this selection rank (or other recognised qualifications undertaken while at school).
Results from Home Schooling, Accelerated Christian Education and other non-standard Year 12 programs (with SAT tests) may also be assigned a selection rank and considered for an offer based on this selection rank (or other recognised qualifications undertaken while at school). Contact UNE for more information.
Applicants with Overseas Year 12 Study
UNE will consider equivalent overseas Year 12 qualifications for admissions purposes. Contact UNE for more information. If you have secondary or tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Other Qualifications Completed in Year 12
Other recognised qualifications completed when at school such as completed competency-based and graded AQF Certificates III and IV (completed), diplomas, higher education study, and some creative arts qualifications (in the areas of music, dance, and speech) will also be assigned a selection rank.
You are also required to meet relevant subject prerequisites for the course you are applying for. This will be satisfied by successful completion of Senior secondary subjects (or equivalent). Any additional entry requirements must also be satisfied.
UNE caps the overall number of ATAR/selection rank adjustments for all applicants regardless of the combination of educational access or special entry admission schemes to which they are entitled. The maximum adjustment is five (5) ranks.
Adjustments may be applied under the following schemes:
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
EAS is for students who have experienced difficult circumstances that have adversely impacted on their studies. Applicants applying for on-campus study can apply for consideration under the EAS administered by QTAC or UAC. A maximum adjustment of five (5) ranks may be applied
Location Adjustment Scheme
The Location Adjustment Scheme assists resident of rural or remote areas to gain entry to most UNE courses through an automatic bonus of five (5) ranks. The scheme is open to people living in areas classified as inner regional, outer regional, remote or very remote under the Australian Standard Geographic Classification (ASGC).
The Location Adjustment Scheme is not available medicine, music, or psychology with honours degrees.
Some courses have specific processes to address their entry requirements, such as:
- Joint Medical Program (JMP) – the JMP has a specific yearly admission process; visit the UNE website for information.
- Music courses require an audition. The audition is a separate process conducted in addition to applying for admission to the music degree.
You can find additional entry requirements for courses in the UNE Course and Unit Catalogue.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Oorala Aboriginal Centre is a teaching, research and study support centre for internal and external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of New England. We offer academic advice, tutorial assistance, a computer room, a resource library, tutorial rooms and a student common room for relaxation and study.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are welcome at Oorala and can access the student resource area, a study facility where there are computers, internet, printers, lounge and kitchen.
This area is also available for students to meet with their tutors, other students, or to take time out to relax.
Oorala Aboriginal Centre offers two programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who would like to apply for admission to UNE undergraduate courses:
- The Internal Selection Program (ISP) is a one-day testing and assessment program focusing on each participant’s study skills and career goals. Following an interview, participants are recommended for admission to either UNE courses or TRACKS and advised on suitable alternatives for study in their chosen field.
- The Tertiary Preparation Program (TRACKS) is an enabling course that prepares you for university study and supports you to make informed choices about applying for a UNE undergraduate course. Be part of a community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who share your goals and interests! TRACKS is designed to assist students with the development of study skills and the transition to mainstream university courses. TRACKS offers on-campus or online study.
Domestic students with overseas qualifications
UNE will consider equivalent overseas qualifications for admissions purposes. If you have secondary or tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Call UNE on 1800 818 865 for advice before applying.
English language proficiency
UNE requires students to demonstrate that they can speak, write, read and comprehend English to a specified standard. Visit English language proficiency for information on UNE’s English proficiency requirements, including ways to demonstrate English language proficiency.
Timing of offers
UNE makes year round offers for most courses. Trimester 1 offers will take place between August and February; Trimester 2 offers will occur between March and June. Visit Key dates for more information.
Offers
QTAC applicants are notified of their UNE offer by email and must respond to their offer online by the due date.
Deferment
In most cases, students can defer the commencement of their course for a maximum of one academic year, except for students commencing an on campus undergraduate course who can defer for up to two years. Visit here for further information of deferring a course.
Credit transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning
Information on credit transfer for previous study can be found under the heading Advanced Standing and credit for Prior Learning in the Entry Requirements section of each course information web page in the UNE Course and Unit Catalogue.
Credit referred to in the catalogue as based on ‘admission to candidature’ will be automatically assessed with your admission application. Some courses rules provide for pre-approved credit for a combination of prior study and relevant employment experience. Similarly, credit for previous UNE units of study can also be assessed with your admission application. In these cases there is no need to apply separately for credit.
All other credit assessments require formal lodgement of a separate credit application with supporting documentation such as a certified official academic transcript and unit descriptions for the units you are relying on for the credit to be granted. Refer to Part C – Credit of the UNE policy on advanced standing for more information.
Fees and charges
Visit the UNE website for information on fees and charges.
To help you compare the admission criteria and processes of different universities and colleges, UNE publishes information sets that tell you about, for example, your potential student cohort and how applicants are assessed; visit the UNE website.
How you apply to UNE depends on the course you are applying for, your preferred mode of study and the level of course you intend to undertake.
New students to UNE intending to study at undergraduate level on campus apply through QTAC or UAC.
Higher Degree Research applicants apply to UNE’s Research Services.
International applicants apply through UNE’s International Office.
All other applicants apply directly to UNE through UNE’s Online Application Portal.
Specific application processes apply for medicine, nursing and music degrees.
For more information on applying for a particular course, visit the How to Apply page and the How to Apply section in UNE’s Course and Unit Catalogue entry for your preferred course.
For information about application opening and closing dates, visit the Application and Admission Dates page.
For more detail on alternative entry and pathways options, visit Entry Pathways.
Student and campus facilities
The UNE campus has banking facilities, bookshop, newsagency, cafeteria, licensed restaurant, shops plus expansive sporting facilities. Medical, careers, employment, chaplaincy and counselling services are also available to students. Students can also access personalised learning support, IT and library services.
Student accommodation
UNE’s residential system gives you the benefit of academic, social and personal support networks and a rich tradition of vibrant inter-college competitions in sport and cultural activities. Only a short walk from the academic campus, UNE college students are academically and socially right at the heart of the action.
UNE’s residential accommodation houses over 2000 students across multiple colleges, including Wright College which provides 200 modern living spaces complete with private kitchen and bathroom facilities.
All residential colleges are centrally heated. Dining halls, common rooms, kitchenettes, washing machines, dryers and drying rooms are available. We recommend residential college accommodation be arranged before the start of the academic year. Find out more about accommodation.
Financial assistance
Youth and student allowances
For details on Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY, visit Department of Human Services.
Loans
UNE offers interest-free loans for enrolled students who are facing genuine financial difficulty for enrolment-related expenses. Eligibility criteria apply. For more information, visit the UNE website or call (02) 6773 2617.
Scholarships
It’s easier than you think to get extra financial help to pay for the cost of university. Unlike government help that you have to repay when you start earning, a UNE scholarship never has to be repaid. They are open for all to apply and don’t cost you anything.
There are scholarships for:
- high academic achievement
- students who plan to live in a residential college
- students from regional areas
- specific subject areas and degrees
- students who are disadvantaged
- students who excel at sport
Visit UNE scholarships for more information.
Course admissions information
For course admission information (including the ATAR/selection rank profile for semester 1, 2022 admissions) please refer to the individual course entry in Course Search.
Student Pathways
TC Lamble Building
Library Road
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351 Australia