Maria has both a TER and has completed the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), having met the eligibility requirements for special entry outlined in the SATAC Uni Guide. She is therefore eligible to be considered under both the year 12 and special entry sub-quotas, with her rank in each sub-quota considered independently of the other. Maria's TER is uncompetitive and insufficient to secure entry to her chosen program. However, she performed well in the STAT and has a competitive special entry rank against which her application would also be considered. Therefore, it may be that Maria gains entry through the special entry sub-quota, despite being ineligible on the basis of her TER.

Selection Criteria

The admission requirements tables for all undergraduate programs and some postgraduate and graduate entry programs set out the selection criteria for each University of Adelaide program that requires application through SATAC.

The admission requirements tables may use some terms that are unfamiliar to you. This glossary provides a brief explanation of relevant terms.

Understanding Sub-quotas

Programs can have several different applicant pathways, or sub-quotas. The four most common for undergraduate programs are year 12, higher education, TAFE, and special entry.

Under the selection criteria for each program, the pathway or sub-quota is divided into two columns. The first column ('Eligibility') lists the entry criteria for the sub-quota, i.e. the set of conditions and requirements an applicant needs to meet before being considered for entry to the program. The second column ('Ranking') lists the criteria against which an applicant is ranked for competing in that sub-quota.

Sub-quotas are not mutually exclusive. An applicant may meet the eligibility criteria for more than one sub-quota for a program. In these cases applicants are considered in multiple sub-quotas, with their rank in one sub-quota in no way affecting their rank in another. Applicants are automatically considered under every sub-quota relating to their listed preferences for which they are eligible (see this illustration). Eligibility for admission is based on the applicant's rank for the sub-quota in which they perform best.

Prerequisites and other Entry Requirements

Entry to programs is usually based solely on academic merit, though some programs list other requirements, such as auditions in the case of Music. Some programs list program prerequisites that must be met by all applicants for them to be eligible for consideration. Selection is competitive as the number of applicants generally exceeds the number of places available. Therefore applicants are encouraged to make full use of preferences to enhance their opportunity of receiving an offer.