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University entry system in Australia for High School students

Finding a place at University

Each year, thousands of students apply to university in Australia & New Zealand. Often there are more applicants than places, so applicants must be ranked to allow the universities to offer places to the best students.

Taylors College has a history of proven success in preparing students for entry into prestigious universities. Our high school students have achieved outstanding results year on year and our University Foundation programs are dedicated pathways to some of the most prestigious universities in Australia and New Zealand.

Taylors Auckland Foundation Year (TAFY)

The University of Sydney Foundation Program (USFP)

The University of Western Australia Foundation Program (UWAFP)

How the Universities choose students

Each university uses a ranking system, the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) which reflects the performance of each student against students of the same age in the academic year.

For example, the ATAR of 95 in New South Wales is the same as an ATAR of 95 in Victoria and 95 in Western Australia.

The ATAR is relative to your position to other students. For example, an ATAR of 75 means that your position is equal or better than 75% of all the Year 12 students.

On a yearly basis, minimum ATARs are set by individual universities on the basis of demand for a particular course, and the number of places available.