Your creative pathway into uni

Creativity isn’t confined to just one pathway so why should you be? If you have the motivation to push creative boundaries but don’t qualify for entry into an Arts, Communications or Creative Media course using an ATAR, your portfolio could get you there instead.

Whether you’re a school leaver or a non-school leaver, we encourage you to apply if you meet our eligibility criteria:

  • Demonstration of English language competency by completing two years of vocational educational and training (VET) or Years 11 and 12 at an Australian high school (or a combination of both). You need to achieve English competency for all courses with minimum English requirements.
  • Demonstration of aptitude and ability via a portfolio of work relevant to the course you’re applying for.

You will be assessed by the Academic Chair of your chosen course based on your creative portfolio and application, instead of your ATAR results.

Portfolio requirements for specific courses

This is your chance to show off your creative talents and best work! Find your chosen course below to see what to include in your portfolio. All items listed under your course must be submitted.

Your portfolio needs to be provided to us digitally and hosted on a website we can access (such as Google Sites, Prezi, SoundCloud, Wix, WordPress, YouTube etc.) Remember to set your portfolio to public view so we can access it.

  • Two pieces of creative work up to 2,000 words in total (for example, a short story, creative non-fiction piece, poem(s).
  • Critical analysis of a novel, poem or play of your choice (800 words).

To discuss further, please contact the Academic Chair listed in the Handbook.

  • Five digital media works showing fine art skills (this can include scans of traditional drawings and paintings, or 3D models, digital paintings, animations or game mods).
  • A 100-word synopsis of each piece submitted that describes what the piece is trying to communicate.

To discuss further, please contact the Academic Chair listed in the Handbook.

  • Two finished design pieces demonstrating your creative and artistic ability, along with working drawings/images representing your design process. The design pieces can include 2D animation, 3D animation, motion graphics, website designs, photography, 3D modelling, illustrations or graphic design compositions).
  • A 100-word synopsis of each piece submitted that describes your working process and what the piece is trying to communicate.
To discuss this further, please contact the Academic Chair, Dr Mark Cypher.
  • Five pieces of non-fiction writing showing the scope of your writing talent (this includes essays, stories for a school magazine or website, blogs, film or music reviews etc).

OR

  • Five pieces of photographic, video or audio work of a documentary nature
  • A 400-word explanation of the work submitted.

To discuss further, please contact the Academic Chair listed in the Handbook

  • 10 to 20 JPEG files of your work – black and white or colour; edited or unedited.
  • A 500-word synopsis of your photographic work that describes what you are trying to communicate with your images, your photographic influences and the direction you aim to pursue with your photography.

To discuss further, please contact the Academic Chair listed in the Handbook.

  • One or more video productions, or any style or genre, at a maximum length of 15 minutes. The video can be a collaboration with other students as long as you were a major creative contributor (for example, as director, producer or writer).

OR

  • Up to 20 creative and artistic photographs on any subject in black and white, taken by yourself.

You must also contain one of the following:

  • A script you have written for a short dramatic or documentary production.
  • A two page film analysis of a feature film you have watched. The analysis can be of any type. For example: formal, narrative, genre, symbolic, iconic, historical, psychoanalytic etc.

To discuss further, please contact the Academic Chair listed in the Handbook.

  • Two to four productions that illustrate your ability in an area of sound production, such as music recording and production, editing, mixing, sound for film and television or sound for games.
  • A 400-word explanation of the work submitted including credits which indicate which parts of the work are your own individual work. For example, if a music file is provided, a band may have played the music but the student recorded and mixed all the tracks.

To discuss further, please contact the Academic Chair listed in the Handbook.

The scenario you need to write content for:

Your school canteen has just been awarded five stars in the Star Canteen Accreditation Program run by WA School Canteens (learn more about the Star Canteen Accreditation Program). Your school has asked you to help communicate this good news by writing the following content:

  • a story for the school website (200 words maximum)
  • a social media post for your school’s Facebook page with text and an image (100 words maximum)
  • a speech for your school principal to deliver at school assembly (300 words maximum)
  • a letter to a local newspaper (please name) inviting them to send a journalist to your school to interview the principle about the award.

Important to note:

  • This is a hypothetical exercise so key facts may be invented.
  • This material should not be posted to any social media or public forum.

To discuss further, please contact the Academic Chair listed in the Handbook.

How to apply

Once you’ve compiled the pieces needed for your portfolio, you can complete the rest of the application process.

  1. Download and complete the Portfolio Entry Application form. This includes providing a link to your portfolio, writing a personal statement between 300-500 words and supplying your supporting documentation.
  2. School leavers only: You also need to download Portfolio Entry Principal Endorsement form and have your Principal or a senior teacher (such as a Year 12 Coordinator) from your school complete the final confirmation section.

School leavers

You will need to apply via TISC.  Please refer to the TISC website for dates and deadlines.

Apply now

Non-school leavers

You can apply anytime throughout the year.

If you meet all the eligibility requirements, we will issue you with a formal offer. Then you just need to accept your offer and you’re well on your way to joining our free-thinking community.

If you don’t qualify for the media portfolio pathway, we welcome you to explore our other available pathways.

Apply now

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