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Changing your uni preferences? Here's what you need to know

There are several reasons to change your university preferences. The good news is you can change your VTAC preferences at any time except during selection periods, which occur just before offer rounds are released. Here are some things to keep in mind when updating your uni preferences.

Consider your ATAR

Now that you have your ATAR, it's time to check you’re making the most of your VTAC course preferences.

Is your ATAR higher than expected?

Take the opportunity to explore new options or reorder your preferences accordingly. Remember, the order of your preferences is important. You’ll receive only one Round 1 offer based on your highest eligible preference – so it’s important to list courses in the order you want to study them, not the order in which you think you will get in.

Is your ATAR lower than expected?

If your ATAR is slightly below your desired course requirement, it’s a good idea to keep it on your VTAC preference list because the lowest selection rank may change. Additionally, other selection processes like the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) or Deakin Guaranteed ATAR may allow you to qualify for a course even with a lower ATAR.

Waiting to get your ATAR? No worries. Use Deakin’s VCE ATAR Calculator to easily estimate your ATAR.

Did you know?

You can change your preferences as you like. Even if you accept your first offer you can still change it later to a course you’ve listed higher in your preference.

Explore different pathways to uni

If you didn't get the ATAR required for your dream course, check out alternate pathway options that can allow you to transfer after one or two years. There’s always a pathway to Deakin!

Same course, different campus. Some courses offered at Deakin's Warrnambool Campus or Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus have lower ATAR entry requirements than Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood Campus.

Study something similar. For example, if your ATAR isn't’ high enough to get into the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, you could major in exercise science within a Bachelor of Health Sciences instead.

Deakin College. Study a diploma in your area of interest with Deakin College on-campus in Melbourne, Geelong or Jakarta and you can enter straight into the second year of your chosen bachelor degree.

TAFE pathways. After completing a diploma with a registered training organisation (RTO), you can apply for recognition of prior learning and study your chosen bachelor degree at Deakin.

Associate degree. The Associate Degree of Arts, Associate Degree of Business and Associate Degree of Education help set you up for success at university, with smaller class sizes and guaranteed entry into select Deakin undergraduate courses.

I have absolutely loved starting with the Associate Degree of Education to bridge into primary education. It’s given me the best start to university...I have been given the right tools and advice from amazing and inspiring teaching staff, to help me succeed.

Donna Jervies

Associate Degree of Education student

Be open to taking a different path

Deakin student, Ellen Zhang, was initially devastated to miss out on entering Deakin’s optometry course because her ATAR was 0.5 points lower than required.

However, accepting her third preference to study a combined science and teaching course was a great way to transition into her dream course.

She was able to study a few optometry units within the combined course and was eventually able to apply to change to optometry. She was even able to receive credits for the optometry units she completed in her combined degree.

Taking a slightly different path ‘allowed me to settle into university coursework and understand the requirements and study load needed to do well,’ Ellen says.

#1 Victorian university for student support*

Feeling overwhelmed about getting your ATAR and how it might impact your course preferences? We’re here to help you make an informed choice about your preference list and get you one step closer to your ultimate course.

Make an informed choice

Before you think about changing your VTAC preference list, familiarise yourself with key dates and course entry requirements.

If you’re rethinking your course preferences, ensure you meet all the prerequisites and extra requirements. For example, some courses may require an interview for entry, even if you ATAR exceeds the lowest selection rank.

It’s also important to check the opening and closing dates for change of preference in Victoria. Visit the VTAC website for key dates and change of preference FAQs.

Get course advice from our experts, call 1800 693 888 or hit us up on live chat. We’ve also pulled together some helpful information about change of preference to help you feel confident about your future.

Footnotes

*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.