Mature Study

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has strong links with industry and a distinctive focus on practice-oriented teaching, learning and research. UTS courses are academically rigorous as well as practical and many courses include the opportunity to gain experience working in industry. UTS provides a range of professional services to support students  including housing, health, special needs, careers, financial assistance, learning skills, counselling and IT support. Many courses offered by UTS can be studied part-time or fast-tracked by doing extra subjects in the summer.

To be eligible to attend the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) applicants must meet at least one of the minimum admission requirements and be selected for enrolment in competition with other applicants.  Program intakes are determined by the number of places available and the number of eligible applicants seeking entry to those programs. If you have completed an approved tertiary preparation course or alternative entry scheme you will be assessed on the results of that scheme alone, unless you have undertaken subsequent study.  The Special Tertiary Admissions Test  (STAT) is generally used as the basis of admission for mature age applicants aged 20 years or older who have no year 12 tertiary or post secondary qualifications.

UTS has a range of alternate entry pathways. If you are 20 years of age or older you may qualify as a mature age student at UTS. Mature age in itself is not enough to gain entry to UTS and your application will depend on your previous qualifications (if any) or entry pathways such as the The Special Tertiary Admissions Test. UTS may also take into account relevant work experience and your motivation to study as part of your application. To identify any additional selection criteria relating a particular course at UTS refer to the course descriptions of the UAC Guide to ascertain whether you need to submit a Personal Statement or Questionnaire. If you are a non current school leaver and have not completed year 12 you are strongly advised to submit a Personal Statement for many courses.

If you are applying for a place at UTS and you have been disadvantaged in your education by a disability or long term illness you may be eligible for entry through the inpUTS Educational Access Scheme. The scheme is open to both current and non current school leavers and Australian residents or permanent citizens. To apply applicants must lodge a form with the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). UTS also has a Special Admission Scheme for people who have been disadvantaged in their education and who fall outside of the guidelines for the inPUTS scheme. For further information contact the UTS Equity and Diversity Unit on (02) 9514 1084. Before submitting an application it  is recommended that you contact a UTS Special Needs Coordinator on (02) 9514 1177.

UTS offers a range of bridging courses for students who do not meet the assumed knowledge requirements for their preferred courses. Most of the courses are offered in late January or early February between enrolment and the start of the semester.

To assist prospective students with disabilities identify a course and profession UTS Careers Service provides a free career counselling session. The UTS careers service can be contacted on (02) 9514 1471. Prospective students interested in studying at UTS can also seek advice from a UTS Special Needs Coordinator if they are not sure whether they will meet some of the course requirements due to the impact of their disability. The Special Needs Service can be contacted on (02) 9514 1177.

Refer to Worksheet 2 - Finding a course that is right for you (worksheet 2 as text 27KB or worksheet 2 as PDF 85 KB) and Worksheet 4 - Understanding your study requirements (worksheet 4 as text 63KB or worksheet 4 as PDF 94KB) to assist you identify the impact of your disability on tertiary study.

The Disability and Special Needs Service coordinates and provides services  for students with disabilities and ongoing medical conditions studying at UTS. If students are disadvantaged by a disability or ongoing illness in their assessment tasks the university can make arrangements which will minimise or eliminate the impact of their disability. To be eligible for this assistance students still need to demonstrate they can meet the learning objectives of their subjects. The arrangements made involve modifications to assessment tasks that maintain the academic standards of a course. The Special Needs Service can be contacted on (02) 9514 1177.

UTS also has a range of scholarships for students who have been disadvantaged in their preparation for university. 

If you need financial assistance you may be eligible for a student loan from UTS. The UTS student loan fund provides interest free loans to students enrolled at the university. The scheme is only open to students who have financial needs which they cannot meet from any other source. Loans are available for bills, rent, one off living expenses and emergencies. Further information can be obtained from the Financial Assistance Service on (02) 9514 1177.

Refer to Worksheet 6 - Financial planning (worksheet 6 as text 27 KB or worksheet 6 as PDF 79KB) to assist you budget for tertiary education.