By the time a child reaches Year 12, most parents are accustomed to the natural changes in the relationship. You’ve moved through all the stages of parenting and you’re both preparing for independence.
But when the first step to independence occurs at the same time as final exams, career selection, and education pathway considerations, it can be overwhelming to everyone. Having good resources for parental support can make all the difference between a bumpy ride and smooth sailing.
A lot is written about the stress teenagers feel as they get ready for university. What often goes unnoticed is the upheaval parents experience as they support their Year 12 student. While it’s a huge transition for everyone, it’s an exciting time and it doesn’t have to be stressful. By getting on top of key information, you might be surprised at how much you enjoy the whole process.
Learning the lingo
The first step to gaining credibility is to demystify ”uni-speak” for your child. If you’re planning to visit our campus for an upcoming event, you might be feeling in the dark about all the acronyms and jargon used by students and professors. Understanding uni-speak is a lot easier than learning a foreign language and it’s a great way to lend parental support that will benefit both you and your child.
Admission pathways into university
Year 12 students graduating in 2024 and planning to study at university in Semester 1, 2025, can apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) from May 2024 until January 2025.
If your teen is applying for an early offer to study a course at Murdoch, they have until December to apply. They can use their Year 11 ATAR subject results, Year 12 mid-year ATAR subject results, or recognised pathway (e.g. Certificate IV or an enabling program) to meet entry requirements.
This means your teen can be offered a place at Murdoch, with the condition that they either complete Year 12 (for ATAR students) or another approved pathway (for non-ATAR students).
Applying through TISC can be broken down into five simple steps:
- Register at the TISC website. Make sure to get your WACE number from your school before you start.
- Select six career preferences and rank them in order of desirability. (Confused? Find out more about choosing TISC preferences.)
- Complete your online application.
- Submit the supporting documents listed on the application.
- Wait for your TISC email confirmation.
Exploring other university admission pathways
Not every student is going to study a recognised university pathway, or achieve the ATAR you would like for them, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make their way into uni. We have a number of pathways to study to help students who didn’t excel in high school get ready for university. The good news is they’re free of charge for most students. Here are a few options to consider:
- OnTrack Sprint – an intensive 4-week program for students who have recently completed Year 12 and aspire to complete a university degree, but do not qualify for direct entry into Murdoch University.
- OnTrack Flex – a course held over one semester on campus or online, designed to qualify students for admission to any course that has a minimum Selection Rank of 70.
- K-Track – a 14-week course for Indigenous students to help them develop the skills needed to succeed at university.
Make sure to check out all the ways you can get into university.
