VTAC offers: what if you don’t get your first preference

With VTAC offers around the corner, your heart may be set on a specific course. But what happens if you don’t get your first preference? Is your dream career out of reach? 

Good news: it isn’t at all! There are several paths you can take to get to your dream career – even if you don’t get into the course that provides an exact pathway. 

Tips for VTAC offer release  

1. Accept your VTAC offer, no matter what it is. You can always withdraw from it later. 
2. From 10am on the 23rd, until 4pm on the 24th, the second COP period will open. If you didn’t receive an offer for your dream course, still leave it as your first preference to ensure you can still be considered for the course in future VTAC offer rounds. 
3. If need be, re-arrange your preferences so that your pathway courses sit at preference two or three. If you’ve received an offer into your pathway course, simply accept it as per the first step, and leave your dream course as number one. 

When you receive your VTAC offer, it’s critical to think about the career ahead of the degree; think about where you want to end up as opposed to pathway you’re taking to get there. There is always a way, even if it’s a slightly different pathway to the one you expected to take. 

Bridging pathways at Deakin University 

There are a number of ways into your dream course at Deakin University. If you fall short of the required ATAR for a particular course, or if you don’t receive a VTAC offer for the course you were hoping to get into, you can complete a bridging course at Deakin University. 

There are three types of bridging courses, an associate course, a diploma or a transferrable bachelor course. Each of these bridging courses can ultimately get you into your desired course. 

As the name suggests, a bridging course essentially helps you bridge the gap between where you are now with your ATAR and your dream bachelor course.  

If a course requires a prerequisite in an area that you don’t have experience in, these pathways will enable you to gain the relevant knowledge to easily transition into the second year of the bachelor course you desire.  

By completing a course with Deakin College you can gain the credits to move straight into the second year of the bachelor course of your choice.  

Test out your pathway options here. 

Complete a Diploma at Deakin College 

Diplomas are a common pathway for students who receive an ATAR less than what is required for their desired course.  

Diplomas are available in a range of study areas that correspond to a related bachelor course. 

Diplomas are often more practical and skills focused. They are also a nationally recognised qualification. A diploma can be completed in a few months or up to three years depending on the subject and institution.  

There are three different types of diplomas: 

• Postgraduate diplomas: aimed at students who have already completed a degree but want to gain specialised skills in a particular field. 

• Advanced diplomas: aimed at students who want to focus on specific knowledge and advanced skills in a specific area. 

• Vocational diplomas: focused on practical skills for specific trades or industries. 

Deakin College works in partnership with Deakin University, allowing you to complete a diploma that meets the entry requirements for the course you want to get into. 

Find out more about Deakin College’s diplomas here. 

Study an associate degree at Deakin 

Deakin University offers three associate degrees in education, arts and business. These are two year courses that don’t require an ATAR. Each of these associate degrees offers guaranteed entry into a Deakin bachelor degree, counting for around 1.5 years-worth of credit.  

If you have an interest in an education, arts or business bachelor degree at Deakin but your VTAC offers show that your ATAR is below the requirements, this is a great pathway into your desired course. 

Alternatively, you may be able to study your preferred course at another Deakin campus with a lower ATAR entry requirement. 

Transfer courses at Deakin University 

You can also consider the ‘transfer’ pathway. To do this, you can enrol in a course that is similar to your desired course (but with lower ATAR requirements) and then transfer into your preferred course.  

There is an application process you will need to follow and acceptance into your desired course will be based on availability of places and academic performance.  

Find out more about course transfer at Deakin University here. 

When are VTAC offers released? 

January offer round one will run from 23 December at 10am until 24 December at 4pm.  

January offer round two will run from 10 January at 4pm until 16 January at 4pm.  

February offer round one will run from 28 January at 4pm until 29 January at 4pm.  

February offer round two will run from 4 February at 4pm until to 6 February at 4pm.  

The final round will run from 11 February at 4pm until 12 February at 4pm.