Anxiety of Year 12 Students Wholly Unjustified. An ATAR is NOT Necessary for Tertiary Studies.

Posted on 9th Apr 2020 by Ed Consult

The Victorian Premier, Mr Andrews, whose eldest son is in Year 12, said the Victorian Government was committed to ensuring all students were able to get an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

“It is my aim,” he said. “If they can get an ATAR, if not within this calendar year, then very soon thereafter. We’ve got six or eight weeks at the end of the year that we can catch up.”
Victorian Premier Mr Andrews

This is where the ignorance of our politicians and education leadership about what education can look like is failing Australian teenagers today causing wholly unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Students do not need an ATAR to start university

With only an average of 25% of all university admissions utilising the ATAR system, clearly 75% of successful applications to university studies demonstrates that there are other ways for year 12 students of 2020, to enter university without the school ATAR system.

Ed Consult has published a comprehensive list of alternative pathways. If you are looking for information on university access, then start right here

Whether you have had your year 12 studies interrupted, or are simply home educated, there are many alternative pathways to start your tertiary education studies. There is no need to repeat year 12 as suggested by the well meaning but ill informed Victoria Premier, Mr Andrews.

Further invaluable information for alternative pathways to tertiary studies in Australia.

Directory for Australian Universities

Tertiary Preparation Course Information

STAT or SAT examinations

Ed Consult. Supporting Home Educators Across Australia.

What Have We Learnt with Ed Consult this February 2020?

Posted on 5th Mar 2020 by Ed Consult

There is so much to learn about home education in Australia. In February 2020, there was a focus on HSIE – Geography and History as well as a Tertiary Education Mini Series and some helpful blogs on satellite internet, dealing with prejudice and the home educated child’s edge, time. Here is a list so you can stay informed and up to date.

Tertiary Education Special

A Focus on Geography / History and the NSW HSIE KLA

Technical and Personal Support Blogs for the Home Educator in Australia

And the Latest Videos from the Ed Consult YouTube Channel

Remember to hit the subscribe button to stay up to date with the latest video release.

If you have any particular home education issue relevant to Australia that you would like to know more about, or you think needs to be clarified in the community, then leave a comment below or send a message to contact@edconsult.com.au

Ed Consult. Supporting Home Educators Across Australia.

2. Alternative Pathways to Tertiary Education

Posted on 29th Feb 2020 by Ed Consult

TAFE and TPCs

This is the second blog in the series on alternative pathways for entry into Tertiary education. To get the full story, click on the links below.

1. Alternative Pathways to Tertiary Education A general overview of many of the options.
2. Alternative Pathways to Tertiary Education A focus on Tertiary Preparation Courses.
3. Alternative Pathways to Tertiary Education Open university or sitting an exam.
4. Alternative Pathways to Tertiary Education Apprenticeships, TAFE courses and how to choose the right university for you.

For home educators who purchase a complete curriculum some providers offer accredited courses to transition to university. Confirm which universities accept these courses before committing to this pathway.

Tertiary Preparation Courses or TPCs can be completed through TAFE, other Registered Training Authorities or at universities, and will provide students with an ATAR. The ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. It may interest you to know that a mere quarter of all university admissions now use the ATAR system so clearly the majority of uni students are using alternative pathways. Not just home educated students.

TPCs are usually designed for applicants who haven’t completed Year 12 at school. Minimum age requirements may apply and the length of these courses differs between institutions. For admission purposes, most institutions will consider the tertiary preparation courses offered by other institutions. You are strongly advised, however, to check which courses each institution considers.

As an example, TAFE NSW offers a TPC, teaching

How to apply ethical practices in your studies.

How to read and respond to written text for further study.

Core essentials in mathematics, science, humanities and English studies, and more.

The Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation is available to study full-time, part-time or through flexible learning options.

On completion, the student will be awarded the Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC), a qualification recognised by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), NSW universities and some interstate universities.

By way of example, from TAFE in NSW:

Western Sydney University applicants, for TPC graduates gaining a TES (Tertiary Entrance Score) of 168 out of 300 or higher, and for Charles Sturt University applicants (a TES of 157 out of 300 or higher), have guaranteed entry into many bachelor degree programs.

Some universities even offer a TPC for free such as Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory. So keep an eye out for savings like these.

Video 2 in a mini series designed to assist home educating parents transition their students to University

So keep in mind that each TAFE or RTO may have specific relationships with universities around the country that make the pathway clearer for your student.

Ed Consult. Supporting Home Educators and Parents Across Australia.