Non-current school leavers

How to apply as a mature age student.

GO FURTHER AT WESTERN. THE UNI THAT CARES MORE.

Want to apply for a degree at Western? We know it can be confusing working out how to go about it. So, we’ve broken the steps down into bite-sized chunks. We have information on how to apply that's tailored to you.

If it’s been a while since you finished your HSC or IB, you’ll be applying as a Non Current School Leaver (NCSL). It’s what we call a Mature Age student. Here’s what you need to do.

Ready to Apply?

Apply today through Western (it’s free) or through the Universities Admissions Centre (application fees apply).

Assessment criteria

To get into uni as an NCSL, you’ll need at least one of the following:

  • TAFE or tertiary studies, e.g. a Certificate III or above, or prior university studies. If you did your studies overseas, you might have to provide proof of proficiency in English.
  • At least one year’s full-time, paid work experience. It doesn’t have to be related to your program.
  • Professional or paraprofessional degrees, e.g. hospital-based nursing certificates or professional-body awards that require examination.
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) - This optional, multiple-choice exam is administered through the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and assesses general skills in Mathematics and English.
  • Secondary school TER, UAI, ATAR or Year 12 equivalent.

English proficiency requirements

If you have undertaken your studies in an overseas country or you have not completed 4 years of continuous full-time secondary education in Australia, you may need to provide proof of proficiency in English.

Please refer to the UAC website for detailed information about Western's English language proficiency requirements.

Start your unlimited journey today.

Non-award study

If you want to study single subjects at Western Sydney University, without undertaking a full program, then you can apply for admission as a Non-Award student. Non-Award study is perfect if you're looking for professional and personal development.

Are you eligible for a scholarship?

To help you cover your uni costs, Western Sydney University offers $25 million in undergraduate scholarships every year, which includes a generous range of University and donor-funded opportunities. Check out your options with our Scholarships Search Tool. It’s that easy.

Got questions?

Contact our Course Information Team on 1300 897 669 or Live Chat.