Avondale University College (Avondale) offers undergraduate, postgraduate, Vocational Education and Training (VET), as well as professional development and education (i.e. short courses, micro-credentials, and non-award units of study) in a range of study areas. There are various ways to gain admission and this depends on your highest level of study at the time of applying.

The main types of qualifications offered by Avondale are undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational.

• An undergraduate degree is typically your first university degree. Undergraduate courses include Associate and Bachelor's degrees.
• After you complete an undergraduate degree, you can undertake postgraduate study. Postgraduate courses include Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master and Doctorate (PhD) degrees.
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are nationally recognised competency-based training qualifications.

Step 1: Choose your course and semester

Choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, creative arts and humanities, ministry and theology, nursing, mathematics and science, teaching, and vocational. Other study includes short courses, micro-credentials, and non-award units of study. Once you have selected the course you are interested in and the semester you want to commence your studies, check the academic calendar for application open dates.

FIND A COURSE

OTHER STUDY

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Step 2: Review the admission criteria

To be considered for entry, you must meet the minimum admission criteria. The minimum admission criteria are different for undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational courses.

UNDERGRADUATE

POSTGRADUATE

VOCATIONAL

Step 3: Submit your application

Avondale accepts applications for undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational courses directly through the online applicant portal. Click here if you are applying for micro-credentials or non-award units of study.

APPLICANT PORTAL

INTERNATIONAL

Step 4: Provide your documents

When you apply, you will receive an acknowledgement email from our Student Administration Services team within five (5) business days of applying and your acknowledgement email will include:

• Your unique Avondale student number
• A request for documents to evidence your qualifications and/or admission criteria
• Other information needed to progress your application (if applicable)

Once you provide the documents and/or information specified in your acknowledgement email, your application will be assessed by Student Administration Services. Some admission criteria require assessment by a course convenor and/or Avondale's academic registrar.

The assessment generally takes up to two (2) weeks, provided you have submitted the relevant documentation and/or information. Assessments may take longer during peak admission periods or if further information is required. Once your application is assessed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. If successful, the outcome is an offer of admission to study at Avondale.

Step 5: Respond to your offer

Your offer letter will include instructions for how to accept, defer or decline your offer. To secure your spot, we recommend accepting or deferring your offer within the 28-day deadline. Once you accept your offer, follow the steps set out in getting started.

GETTING STARTED

Where to get more information

Admissions appeal and grievance processes
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your application, for example not receiving the offer you expected, contact Student Administration Services. If you are not satisfied with the rationale for why you were unsuccessful in your application, you have the right to appeal against the decision.

Appeal Grievance Policy

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
TEQSA is Australia's independent national regulator of the higher education sector. TEQSAs national register lets you search for accredited higher education courses and providers.

NATIONAL REGISTER

Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
The federal government's QILT website enables you to easily compare the study experience and employment outcomes of Australian higher education institutions. You can also compare the different study areas of different institutions, with all results based on thousands of surveys completed by students across Australia.

QILT WEBSITE

Contact

Student Administration Services
P: +61 2 4980 2377
E: study@avondale.edu.au (course advice)
E: studentadmin@avondale.edu.au (existing applications)

Your previous study, work experience, or training may count as credit towards your Avondale course. This can reduce both the length and cost of your course. Follow the steps below if you think you might be eligible for advanced standing (credit for prior learning).

Before you apply

Before you apply for advanced standing, read through each step including the following important information.

• Advanced Standing may be granted for up to a maximum of 50% of the course.
• Typically, units being assessed for advanced standing must have been completed within the last seven years for the Bachelor of Nursing and 10 years for all other courses.
• Overseas qualifications will be assessed using the Australian Government Country Education Profile (CEP) website as well as the Australian Qualification Framework, before being assessed for advanced standing in accordance with our Advanced Standing Policy.

CEP WEBSITE

AQF WEBSITE

ADVANCED STANDING POLICY

Step 1: Apply to study

Before you apply for advanced standing, you must make an application to study at Avondale.

APPLY TO STUDY

NOTE: Your application for advanced standing will not be assessed until we receive your application to study.

Step 2: Obtain evidence

Once you have applied to study at Avondale, you will need to obtain evidence to support your application for advanced standing. This includes a copy of every subject/unit outline you wish to have assessed for credit, along with a certified copy of your certificate of completion and transcript(s).

Bachelor of Nursing
On entry to the Bachelor of Nursing, eight (8) units (one year of full-time study) is awarded if you:

• Are registered as an enrolled nurse (EN) with no conditions on practice, through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA);
• Have completed a Diploma of Nursing within the last five years through a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approved program of study.
• Supply a certified copy of your academic transcript and testamur;
• Supply a detailed work history showing evidence of practice/working as an enrolled nurse.

NOTE: Older programs that have led to registration as an enrolled nurse may still receive credit, but it may not be all eight (8) units;

If you request advanced standing for units completed at another higher education institution, you must supply:

• A certified copy of your academic transcript and testamur.
• Full unit outlines of all units passed at the institution where the study occurred.
• Records of clinical and practical placements, including clinical skills, venues, hours and clinical appraisals.

NOTE: Advanced standing will not be assessed without this documentation and credit for clinical may not be awarded where poor academic history is evident.

CERTIFYING DOCUMENTS

Step 3: Apply for advanced standing

Once you have obtained your evidence, complete an application form for Advanced Standing. Once completed, submit your completed application form and evidence via email to Student Administration Services.

APPLY FOR ADVANCED STANDING

NOTE: Applications for advanced standing must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the commencement of the semester to ensure sufficient time for processing. Bachelor of Nursing students with approved advanced standing will commence approximately two weeks earlier than students from all other courses.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

The process

• Applications for advanced standing generally take up to two (2) weeks to process. Assessments may take longer during peak admission periods and/or if a high volume of units require assessment.
• Once your application for advanced standing has been assessed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. The email will include details about which units are approved for credit and/or which units are not.
• If your application for advanced standing is approved, you will be asked to sign and return an acceptance form (supplied) by reply email.

Contact

Student Administration Services
P: +61 2 4980 2377
E: study@avondale.edu.au (course advice)
E: studentadmin@avondale.edu.au (existing applications)

Avondale's Early Admission program can earn you an offer to your chosen undergraduate degree before you get your ATAR.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

FIND A COURSE

APPLY NOW

Important Dates

Important dates for Early Admission to Avondale in 2022 are as follows:

10 May 2021 - Early Admission applications OPEN

30 July 2021 - Early Admission applications CLOSE

30 August 2021 - Interviews commence

24 September 2021 - Interviews conclude

27 September 2021 - Interview outcomes released

5 November 2021 - Deadline to meet specific admission criteria (if applicable)

15 November 2021 - Early Admission offers released

Applying for Early Admission

To be eligible for Early Admission in 2022, you must be:

• In Year 12 in 2021; and
• Eligible to be awarded the HSC, International Baccalaureate, or an interstate equivalent at an Australian high school; and
• Eligible for an ATAR; and
• Able to demonstrate that you achieved an average percentage mark of no less than 70% (or a B-Grade average) across all subjects in Year 11.

Early Admission is not open to mature age students, non-school leavers, or international students.

To apply for Early Admission:

• Apply by submitting an Early Admission Application Form
• Prepare a maximum one-page resume, including a personal statement about what matters to you; your key skills; and your hobbies and interests. If applicable, include in your resume details of your awards /recognition; co-curricular/extracurricular activities; and/or employment/volunteer work.
• Obtain evidence of your Year 11 final year results (see note).

Note: Evidence includes a school report and/or a letter from your school (on official school letterhead and emailed to Avondale by a school official). Results are required for every subject as either a percentage mark or a grade. Results submitted as a rank will not be accepted.

What Happens Next?

Your application will be assessed by our Student Administration Services team and if successful, you will be invited to attend an interview either at our Lake Macquarie campus or via Zoom. Keep an eye on your email - everything you need will be sent there!

If your application for Early Admission is unsuccessful, you still have the opportunity to gain admission to your chosen degree by obtaining the minimum entry score, or higher, in accordance with the published scores for admission to the course for which you applied. If you do not satisfy the minimum requirements for direct entry into the course of your choice, you may be considered for entry through one of Avondale's admission pathways.

FIND A PATHWAY

Your Offer

If you are successful at your Early Admission interview and you satisfy the specific admission criteria for your course of choice (if applicable), you will receive an early offer before you get your ATAR - securing your place at Avondale in 2022!

Contact our Student Administration Services team if you have any questions about your eligibility for Early Admission.

Contact

Student Administration Services
P: +61 2 4980 2377
E: studentadmin@avondale.edu.au

Adventist Schools Australia (ASA) is partnering with Avondale University College (Avondale) to offer people who want to retrain as teachers an ASA Master of Teaching Scholarship.

The scholarship is valued at $1,500 per semester to a maximum of $6,000 (covering four semesters for the full MTch course).

The program is available to students enrolled at Avondale in one of the below courses:

• Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)

This is an excellent opportunity for people who want:

• A guaranteed job offer
• To up-skill
• To change careers
• To study via distance education/online
• To work in the Seventh-day Adventist school system
• To have security of a teaching job once graduated

Some of the main criteria is listed below, however, this list is not extensive.

Applicants for the ASA Master of Teaching Scholarship must:

1. Be a permanent Australian resident;
2. Demonstrate authentic practical Christian faith and involvement at local church level and provide two referees, one of which must be their church pastor;
3. Maintain ongoing enrolment in the course approved for this program;
4. Be willing to be interviewed as part of the selection process;
5. Demonstrate competence in meeting professional experience requirements;
6. Meet Working With Children Checks and other legal requirements;
7. Demonstrate a willingness to accept employment in a range of locations.

To maintain a position in the program, applicants must:

1. Achieve at least a Credit grade for all professional experience placements;
2. Have a minimum GPA of 5;
3. Not have any substantiated disciplinary incidents during student years;
4. Not defer the agreed study program without approval from the ASA Education Scholarship Committee, as student deferrals can impact employment availability. Requests for deferral will only be considered for unforeseen emergencies;
5. Satisfactorily graduate from the Master of Teaching course.

Through the duration of the Master of Teaching course, ASA will request details about the student’s performance to validate their ongoing progress in the ASA Master of Teaching Scholarship.

Apply for Master of Teaching

Apply for Scholarship

Student Administration Services
P: +61 2 4980 2377
E: study@avondale.edu.au

Contact

For information and advice regarding the ASA Master of Teaching Scholarship, please direct your enquiries to:

Equip yourself with professional skills and learning experiences in a specific area of study or industry area. Avondale's short, flexible and low-cost qualifications ensure your professional growth remains up-to-date with relevant and emerging practices.

Micro-credentials and Short Courses

Micro-credentials and short courses certify achievement in a specific area of study. These professional qualifications can be completed as a one-off or used to gain credit towards a higher qualification at Avondale.

Complete a micro-credential or short course to:

• improve your employability
• ensure continuous professional development
• remain competitive in your area of expertise
• tighten a skills gap in your fast-paced industry
• break into a particular industry post-graduation
• complement an existing degree
• use as credit towards a higher degree
• pursue a personal interest

Avondale is designing a range of micro-credentials and short courses to suit your needs. The following micro-credential(s) are currently on offer at Avondale:

Food as Medicine (6 credit points)
The Food as Medicine micro-credential is for doctors, health professionals, health educators, and those with a keen interest in nutrition and wellbeing. Offered usually within our Lifestyle Medicine course, this is a unique opportunity to take Food as Medicine as a stand-alone unit.

To be eligible, you must meet the admission criteria for the Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine

FIND OUT MORE

APPLY NOW

Nicotine Addiction and Smoking Cessation (6 credit points)
The Nicotine Addiction and Smoking Cessation micro-credential is for allied health professionals, doctors, and health educators with a special interest in tobacco control and smoking cessation.

To be eligible, you must meet the admission criteria for the Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine

FIND OUT MORE

DOWNLOAD COURSE GUIDE

APPLY NOW

Non-award Study

If you want to keep your knowledge and skills current without taking on a course that leads to a degree, or you have a personal interest in an area of study, you can enrol in a non-award single unit of study.

Units completed as a non-award single unit of study may be eligible for credit towards a degree, should you decide to apply for a qualification at Avondale.

Non-award single units are charged per unit of study and must be paid in full before the relevant census date. The amount charged depends on the unit. Students studying non-award units are not eligible for FEE-HELP or Commonwealth supported places (CSP) and so this includes HECS-HELP.

Guidelines for non-award study

• Enrolment is on the provision that there are sufficient places available in the course and that the enrolment does not preclude a student in an Avondale award program from enrolling in the course.
• A non-award student will not be permitted to enrol in more than 24 credit points in any one academic year.
• Non-award enrolment into a course may be permitted provided that the student has appropriate educational qualifications, satisfies the minimum English language requirements as stated in the Admission to Higher Education Undergraduate Courses Policy, and has met the pre-requisites (if applicable).
• Applications for non-award study are considered by the course convenor, ensuring the student will benefit from the enrolment.

How to apply for non-award study

You will use Avondale's online applicant portal to apply. Please read through each step BEFORE you apply.

STEP 1: Create an account for the online applicant portal. Once your account is created, you will receive an email confirming your applicant ID and password. If you already have an account, go to STEP 4;

STEP 2: Select the correct course code:

• For undergraduate non-award study - choose course code 4482
• For postgraduate non-award study - choose course code 4073

STEP 4: Using your applicant ID and password, click on APPLY NOW to complete your non-award study application.

Units & Fees

Apply Now

Audit a Unit

'Auditing' is defined as listening. When you audit a unit, you may attend lectures but not necessarily attend associated tutorials, laboratory or workshop sessions. Assignments and examinations are not included, so the only credential you will be issued is a transcript with a grade of "AUD". Auditing a unit incurs a fee of AU$210. For more information, email Student Administration Services.

Units

APPLY NOW

Contact

Student Administration Services
P: +61 2 4980 2377
E: study@avondale.edu.au (course advice)
E: studentadmin@avondale.edu.au (existing applications)

uniTEST and Tertiary Online Writing Assessment (TOWA)

uniTEST is an exam-style test and is not based on any curriculum or subject areas. The purpose of uniTEST is to assess the generic reasoning and thinking skills that underpin higher education studies. The Tertiary Online Writing Assessment (TOWA) is used to assess your written English skills. uniTEST and TOWA is administered through the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

The uniTEST and TOWA test fee is AUD $150.00.

WHO CAN SIT THE TEST?

Recent School Leavers

If you recently completed your Higher School Certificate (or interstate equivalent), but your ATAR does not give you direct entry into the higher education course of your choice, uniTEST, and TOWA is designed for you.

Mature-age Applicants

If you are a mature-age applicant and you do not have the appropriate qualifications to give you direct entry into the higher education course of your choice, you are required to pass the uniTEST and TOWA, to evidence your ability to study at a tertiary level.

Note: International applicants are eligible to sit the tests provided they are onshore - i.e. reside in Australia at the time the tests are taken.

TEST DATE AND VENUE

Avondale facilitates the tests primarily at our Lake Macquarie campus. Tests can be administered at our Sydney campus on request. Upon applying, our Student Administration Services team will contact you to arrange a test date.

If you are unable to sit the test at either Avondale’s campus, you will need to arrange for someone to supervise you while you sit the exam. The supervisor should be a person holding a position of significant responsibility – i.e. at a university, school, government department, or similar institution.

The supervisor must:

• Be willing to take overall responsibility for supervision of the tests;
• Not engage in coaching you for the tests;
• Not be closely related to you, nor be your current teacher;
• Be willing to keep details of the test confidential, before the examination;
• Administer the test in strict accordance with the instructions provided by Avondale.

Avondale will liaise with your nominated supervisor directly concerning the exact time and venue for the uniTEST and TOWA. The tests should be taken as soon as possible after your supervisor receives emailed instructions from Avondale.

TEST CONTENT

uniTEST is a multiple-choice test that is designed to assess quantitative reasoning, critical reasoning and verbal and plausible reasoning. You will be given two and a half hours to complete the ninety-five questions in the test. An additional ten minutes (approx.) will be required for other aspects of the test such as seating of candidates and distribution of usernames and passwords.

The TOWA aims to assess your ability to write effectively to two prompts, each of which addresses a distinct genre: Task A (Report) and Task B (Argument). Task A (Report) requires you to comprehend, select, organise and present clearly a summary report based on facts, figures, and pictures presented in the stimulus. Task B (Argument) requires you to develop a point of view about an issue and structure a clear, coherent, and logical argument in support of that view. Candidates are given one hour for this test.

Click on the following links for more information about the tests and how to prepare, including sample questions.

uniTEST

TOWA

RESULTS

uniTEST

Candidates receive a scale score out of 100 for each of the three sections of the test (quantitative reasoning, critical reasoning, verbal and plausible reasoning) together with a total scale score and total Australian percentile rank. The percentile rank indicates how a candidate performed in relation to other Australian candidates who have sat uniTEST. For example, a total Australian percentile rank of 47 means that the candidate’s total scale score is equal to, or better than, that of 47% of candidates. uniTEST results are valid for two years.

TOWA

There are two writing tasks, Task A (Report) and Task B (Argument) which are scored holistically. The argument task (Task B) is also scored analytically on language conventions.

Avondale receives your test results from ACER shortly after the test is completed. Your test results will be ratified by Avondale’s Academic Registrar before your results are emailed to you, along with information regarding the next steps of your application. This process can take up to seven business days.

HOW TO APPLY

Before you apply to sit the uniTEST and TOWA, you must make an application to study at Avondale.

APPLY TO STUDY

Once you have applied to study at Avondale, you can apply to sit the uniTEST and TOWA. If you are sitting the test remotely, your nominated supervisor will be required to sign a Supervisor Agreement before we arrange a test date.

IMPORTANT: You (and your supervisor, if applicable) will be provided with instructions before sitting the tests. If you do not adhere to the instructions and therefore fail to complete the tests, you will be required to pay AUD $25.00 for an additional login. Student Administration Services will contact you to arrange payment. You may also be required to finalise the tests at an alternative date and/or time.

APPLY TO SIT THE ENTRANCE EXAM

SUPERVISOR AGREEMENT

Contact

Student Administration Services
P: +61 2 4980 2377
E: studentadmin@avondale.edu.au