Special Entry Applicants

The university has developed special access schemes to provide opportunities for those without formal qualifications, or uncompetitive qualifications, to apply for entry to its programs. Detailed information on applicants' eligibility to apply under the 'mature age' provisions of the special entry sub-quota is available in the SATAC Uni Guide.

Applicants may be eligible to be considered for admission via multiple pathways or sub-quotas, with their rank in one sub-quota in no way affecting their rank in another. This illustration helps demonstrate this. Eligibility for admission is assessed on the applicant's rank for the sub-quota in which they perform best.

Special Entry
(often known as mature age entry)

Special entry caters for applicants who are 21 years of age or over by 1 January of the year for which they seek admission*, and who either do not have the formal qualifications to satisfy standard entry requirements or whose qualifications are insufficiently competitive for them to gain entry. Detailed information on eligibility for consideration via the special entry sub-quota is available in the SATAC Uni Guide. Special entry applicants must apply through SATAC. Applicants who wish to enter a bachelors program at the university, are required to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), for which a separate fee applies. Information on applying to sit the STAT can be found in the SATAC Uni Guide.

For many programs applicants may also submit a personal competencies (PC) statement and, if applicable, an employment experience (EE) statement to assist in selection. Consideration of PC and EE statements by the various programs is indicated in the Selection criteria and also the SATAC Uni Guide.

The university's Professional and Continuing Education department offers programs on preparing for the STAT.

*The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme

Wilto Yerlo is responsible for administering the special entry access scheme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to all programs offered at the University of Adelaide. These schemes are intended to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's entry to the university. Wilto Yerlo also operates a student support program for Indigenous students at the university.

Wilto Yerlo also manages the delivery of foundation programs in the areas of Music and Humanities and Social Sciences. These programs do not provide access to undergraduate programs but serve as a foundation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who may be interested in progressing to undergraduate study.

Humanities and Social Sciences

Applicants who have completed at least half a year of full-time equivalent (FTE) non-award study within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Adelaide may apply for admission through SATAC to some programs within the faculty on the basis of their non-award studies. Selection is competitive. Further information is available from the faculty.

All applicants should ensure they meet the program prerequisites of any program they list as a preference.