Use your ATAR to find your Deakin course
Many Year 12s browse courses filtered by ATAR to help them confirm preferences and make an informed decision about their future.
What is change of preference?
In your final year of school? Congrats, it's the culmination of many years of life and learning experiences. It's huge. Around mid-year, you likely applied to uni through your state or territory's tertiary admissions centre. Did you know that when you submit an application, you can then update or change your course preferences at different times? This is what we call 'change of preference'.
So if you change your mind, change of preference allows you to add, remove or re-order courses on your preference list. Every year, thousands of Year 12s log in to their state or territory’s tertiary admissions centre to change preferences. Sometimes multiple times.
Why change your preferences?
You might want to change your preferences because your ATAR was lower or higher than expected, or you might have had a change of heart. The last chance to update your course preference starts when you get your Year 12 results – right before we start to make the main university offers in December.
Change of preference dates
If you're a Victorian resident, dates can be found on the VTAC website. For the main university offer round in December 2023 – change your preferences during 12 to 14 December (closes 4pm). You can also change your preferences during the January and February offer rounds, too. Not a Victorian resident? Your state or territory’s tertiary admissions centre will have info on how to apply and application closing dates. You can also check out our key dates for all the information you need.
Is your uni application ready?
If you’re a current Year 12 student, you can submit your application to VTAC in seven easy steps. Remember that every state and territory is different, so familiarise yourself with all the acronyms, like SEAS (special entry access scheme), by checking out your local admission centre or VTAC resources.
Ready to change your preferences?
Login to your your VTAC account or local admission centre account and open the course applications section.
- check your course entry requirements closely
- add, remove or reorder courses on your preference list – if you need to
- click on the ‘change my preference’ button to submit your change.
Remember, VTAC will offer you a place in the highest preference you’re eligible for. So, while it’s important to include courses you think you’ll get into, your top preferences should be the courses you want to get into – shoot for the stars!
Not in Year 12? Find out how to apply directly with Deakin.
Did you know...
Order is important. You only receive one offer per round for the highest preference you are eligible for – so list courses in the order you want to study them, not the order in which you think you’ll get in. Remember, if you don’t get the offer you want in the first round, we recommend you accept your first offer, but try again for your preferred course during the second round.
Waiting to receive your ATAR?
Our handy tools make it easy to take charge of your future. Use our ATAR calculator to estimate your ATAR, or estimate your scaled and raw study scores using our VCE study score calculator.
Didn’t get an offer to study at Deakin?
If you didn't get an offer to Deakin, you can still change your course preferences between offer rounds, as many times as you like. There is a pathway to Deakin!
Match your ATAR to another course at Deakin
If you didn’t get the ATAR you hoped for, there are a range of pathways to your ultimate course. Many students use alternate pathways to uni, like bridging courses and associate degrees. Or you could study the same course, but at a different campus.
Did you know...
You can change your preferences as often 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 preferences.
Ask a Deakin expert for help
Don’t miss the opportunity to have your questions answered at our change of preference campus events. Take advantage of personalised discussions with Deakin experts and get all the information you need about courses, pathways, scholarships and the VTAC process.
Ask your parent or caregiver for help
It's only natural to have lots of questions as you prepare for uni. Our Deakin experts have heaps of course advice and guidance through enrolment, but your parent or caregiver might have some great advice too. They survived VCE!
Have you thought about a scholarship?
When you preference Deakin you have access to a bunch of fantastic scholarships. Our scholarships recognise your achievements in and outside the classroom, and provide a financial boost throughout your journey at university.
Want to explore more?
Changing your uni preferences? Here's what you need to know
Arm yourself with the right information to refine your list of preferred courses.
Tips for choosing your uni preferences
Selecting your uni course preferences doesn't have to be daunting. Here are some useful tips to help you create your perfect preference list.
Got a question but can’t find the answer?
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions our awesome future student advisers get about applying to Deakin.
Year 12s
Skip to next topicWhat is Change of Preference (COP)?
Change of Preference (COP) is a stage in the VTAC application process relating to the input of course preferences. You can include up to eight course options on your preference list. During COP periods, you can change the order of your preferences, as well as add or remove courses.
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When is COP?
COP closes on 14 December 2022 at 4pm, two days after ATAR release. COP reopens on 13 January 2023 after January offers are made. COP closes again on 19 January 2023 and reopens on 1 February 2023, after February offers are made. Final close is 15 February 2023.
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What does preferencing a course mean?
Preferencing a course is when a Year 12 student ranks up to eight courses they'd most like to study in order of preference in VTAC's application system. Once preferences are in, they may receive an offer for their highest eligible course based on the entry requirements.
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Can I add new courses to my preferences list?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to check the prerequisites and extra requirements for any new courses you're interested in before you add them to your preferences.
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What's the difference between a raw score and a scaled study score?
The VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) sends each student's raw score per subject to VTAC where they're converted into scaled study scores. The scaled study scores are then used to calculate the student's ATAR. Raw scores are used in conjunction with prerequisites.
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Do I accept my offer straight away, or wait until all rounds are done?
We recommend you accept each offer as you receive them. You’ll still be eligible to receive additional offers in other rounds for any higher-preferred courses in your preference list, regardless if you’ve previously accepted, declined or deferred an offer.
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How do Year 12 students apply?
Current Year 12 students must apply through VTAC. Applications open on 31 July. When you apply, you can list up to eight courses, in order of preference, within the VTAC application system. Once ATARs are released, applications will be assessed and offers will be sent out in the December, January and February 2024 rounds.
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Who can help me with my VTAC application?
Need help with your VTAC application? Refer to VTAC for additional support. For technical assistance, visit VTAC Technical Help.
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Do I have to meet all course prerequisites?
Yes, regardless of your ATAR, if you don't meet the course requirements as listed on VTAC then you aren't eligible to receive an offer for that course. Why not think outside the box and use our pathway finder to explore what other options may be available to you.
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Can I change my preferences after I receive an offer?
Yes, you can change your preferences after receiving an offer. You're also still eligible to receive an offer for any courses listed above your current offer, i.e. if you receive an offer for your third preference, you may still receive an offer for your first and second preferred courses.
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How many times can I change my preferences?
You can change your preferences as many times as you like within the COP timeframes. Find out more about VTAC key dates
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Will my first preference still be considered if I receive an offer for a lower preference?
Yes, whether you're applying through VTAC or directly to Deakin, you may still be considered for your first or higher-preferred courses regardless of whether you've accepted, declined or deferred an offer for a lower preferred course.
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What's the difference between each offer round from November to February?
The November offer round is for non-Year 12 students who have applied through VTAC within the timely offer period and meet the relevant eligibility criteria. The January and February offer rounds are for current Year 12 and IB students in all states.
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How many offers can I receive?
You can receive one offer per round. Any offers you receive will be for the highest eligible course on your preference list, assuming you've met all criteria for each course listed.
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If I receive an offer in January, can I still get other offers in later rounds?
Yes, you can still receive additional offers in later rounds even if you've previously accepted, declined or deferred an offer in January. However, if you receive an offer for your first preference and don't adjust your course preference list before the next round, you will not receive any further offers.
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Who do I contact for help about my Deakin offer?
Get in touch with our Prospective Student Enquiry Centre. Call the team on 1800 693 888 between 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday, or discuss your options via live chat 8am–7pm, Monday–Thursday and 9am–5pm on Fridays.
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How will I know if Deakin's making offers in later rounds?
Deakin courses that won't be making any further offers in later rounds will be indicated against your preferences in VTAC.
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Do entry requirements change between offer rounds?
No – entry requirements, including folio submissions and interviews, remain the same when applying through VTAC, regardless of the offer round.
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If I get an offer in January, can I defer and wait for a better offer in later rounds?
Deferral means to put off accepting an offer for up to two years. If you intend to start studying in the next intake you should accept, as you can still receive additional offers in later rounds even if you've previously accepted, declined or deferred an offer.
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What does 'Lowest selection rank to which an offer was made' mean?
The lowest selection rank is the adjusted value – ATAR plus additional points (if eligible) – you would have needed to get into a course the previous year. If you achieve this rank you're likely to get in, unless it's since increased or entry requirements also include other criteria, e.g. a folio.
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Will the ATAR shown on the course page stay the same for the 2024 intake?
The selection rank published on the course page will vary each year depending on a number of factors, including demand. It should be used as a guide only.
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Does Deakin offer guaranteed pathways?
Yes, we offer many different pathways into Deakin and a number of these are guaranteed. Use our handy pathway finder to explore the different options that may be available to you.
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How do I apply for special consideration?
Applying for special consideration is simple, and in some cases, you won't need to provide any details outside of your course application. The process is different for each VTAC category, or Deakin's programs, so please visit the relevant special consideration page for step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
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What is SEAS?
VTAC's Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) is for those who may not have been able to reach their full potential for study due to a range of challenging factors. SEAS enables institutions to consider the circumstances you've experienced and their impact on your studies when making selection decisions.
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What are SEAS aggregate points?
The Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) adds points to your aggregate to reflect the level you may have achieved if your circumstances had been different. This can increase your chance of receiving an offer but does not guarantee it. Deakin will give a maximum of 15 aggregate points per applicant.
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Are SEAS or subject adjustment points added directly onto my ATAR?
No, adjustments or bonus points are added to your aggregate score, not your ATAR. Your total aggregate score is then converted into your ATAR.
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Footnotes
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.
We're here to support you every step of the way
We're ready to help you make an informed choice. Our friendly Deakin experts are available to speak to you one-on-one about your preferences and how we can help you start your study journey at Deakin.
Domestic students
1800 693 888
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International students
+61 3 9034 6205
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