Glossary

Academic transcript

An academic transcript is a complete record of your study, showing all the subjects you have taken and the grades you received. You may be asked to submit your transcript to SATAC to support your application.

Adjustment factors

Extra points that can be added to your university aggregate. This adjusted aggregate is then used to calculate your course selection rank. 

Admission pathways

The different options available to prospective students that allow them to meet the minimum entry requirements for a course or program.

Advanced standing

A form of credit for any previous learning (Australian Qualifications Framework definition) – see also the definitions for “credit transfer” and “recognition of prior learning”.

Applicant and prospective student

The term applicant and prospective students are used by tertiary admission centres and higher education institutions to describe people at different stages of their application processes. An applicant is generally taken to be a person who has already lodged an application to study a specific course. A prospective student is generally taken to be a person who is thinking about lodging an application to study a particular course but has not yet done so.

Assumed knowledge

The background understanding in a SACE/NTCET Stage 1 or Stage 2 subject (or equivalent), or a particular skill, that will help a student better understand the content of a given undergraduate course.

ATAR

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a rank, not a mark or score. It is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that shows how a student performed compared with all students who completed an Australian Year 12 program in the same year. SATAC calculates the ATAR for SACE and NTCET students.

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

A rank between 0 and 99.95 that shows how competitive you are compared to other Year 12 students in Australia (not just students at your school). It reflects how well you have performed overall in your final year of study compared to all other Year 12’s in your given study year.

Authority

An organisation or official body that has the legal power to make decisions, set rules, or approve something. A regulatory authority has the additional powers to enforce legislation, ensure industry standards and revoke permissions.

Bachelor degree

A bachelor degree – also sometimes called an undergraduate degree – is a common university qualification you can undertake after finishing high school. It usually takes three or more years of full-time study (or longer if you study part-time) to complete.

Bridging course

A course designed to cover subject knowledge, which assists students to gain knowledge in specialist areas that are a core component of the course. If a course requires a prerequisite in an area that students have not studied or worked with before, a bridging course will help students to bridge the gap in that knowledge and gain admission. 

Census date

The last day a student can withdraw from a university course or subject without incurring student fees or grades.

Census date

The date when enrolment and fees are finalised at an institution. This is the deadline for students who wish to withdraw from a course or subject without financial or academic penalty (having to pay the fees, and/or receiving fail grades).

Commonwealth supported places

A place at university where the Australian Government pays a portion of the course fees. The remaining amount is the 'student contribution.

Competitive courses

Competitive courses have more applicants than places available to offer.

Concurrent degree

When a student studies two degrees at the same time.

Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA)

The CSPA is a tool that measures your reading, writing, and numeracy (maths) skills. Achieving a satisfactory result in the CSPA is a course admission requirement (CAR) for a number of TAFE SA courses.

Course Admission Requirements (CAR)

These are the criteria applicants must meet to be eligible for selection into certain TAFE SA courses. You can find the details for each course in the course entry information on your SATAC application or on the TAFE SA website.

Credit transfer

A process that provides students with agreed and consistent credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes between matched qualifications (Australian Qualifications Framework definition).

Direct application

Application made directly to a higher education provider rather than through a tertiary admission centre.

Domestic student

A student who is an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a person who holds an Australian permanent residency visa at the time of enrolment.

Early offer

Where an offer of enrolment is made to a recent secondary school student prior to release of ATARs or equivalent (e.g. International Baccalaureate (IB)). Such offers are generally conditional on other requirements being met, such as successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or achievement of a specified minimum ATAR.

Eligibility

Applicants are eligible for a place in a course or program if they meet the selection criteria, including any prerequisites or additional entry requirements, such as an interview or portfolio, as specified by the institution. However, being eligible for a course does not mean you will receive an offer (see “competitive courses”). 

Eligible

Meeting the requirements to apply for or take part in something, such as a course, scholarship, or program.

Equal consideration

The principle that all applicants with the same selection rank and applying with similar qualifications will be treated the same in the selection process. This applies as long as you apply by the relevant dates, pay the required SATAC fees, and meet the application requirements.

Experience based entry scheme

A selection method used by higher education providers to assess and select students who may not have educational qualifications sufficient for an offer of admission to a course but who have other relevant work and life skills and experience that make them a suitable candidate.

External study

External study, also known as distance learning or online study, usually does not require regular attendance on campus. You may instead complete your studies online or at another location.

Fees

Fees can refer to several types of charges. They may include SATAC fees for processing an application, or student contributions/tuition fees charged by the institution for your study.

SATAC fees apply to undergraduate and postgraduate applications, as well as applications through ACER if sitting the STAT. For information about tuition fees, contact the relevant institution directly.
 

Foundation Studies

A preparation course that helps students build the skills and knowledge needed to enter higher education. These courses are usually delivered at universities or TAFE.

Foundation studies, bridging or enabling programs

A course designed to provide students with skills needed for success in further study, to assist in the transition to tertiary education – for example study techniques or English language skills. Successful completion helps prepare a person to be admitted to a course that leads to a higher education award.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

In higher education, a GPA is a numerical value that shows the average of all the grades a student earns over a set period. It is calculated using the final grade for each course, the grade point value of each grade, and the unit value of each course.

Grading system

The methodology used by higher education institutions to show how well a student has performed in a course. Different institutions often use different grading systems.

Higher education

Study you do after finishing high school at a university or similar institution. It includes diplomas, bachelor degrees, and other advanced courses.

Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

Eligible students can choose to defer all or part of their student fees using a HELP loan. The loan is repaid through the tax system once the student earns above a certain income threshold. The most common types of HELP loans are: HECS-HELP for Commonwealth Supported students, and FEE-HELP for full-fee paying students.

Institution

An institution is a university, college of higher education, or VET provider whose courses you can apply for through SATAC. 

International Baccalaureate

An internationally recognised and delivered school curriculum. Students can complete the IB Diploma program instead of, or alongside, other senior secondary qualifications. The IB Diploma is equivalent to Australian Year 12 and can be used to apply for university in Australia.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills (LLND)

The LLND assessment indicates your reading, numeracy and digital skills to make sure that any learning and support needs can be planned for. The LLND is a course admission requirement (CAR) for a range of TAFE SA courses, and may also be used to assess eligibility to access subsidised training.

Non-competitive courses

Non-competitive courses will accept all applicants who meet the admission requirements. 

NTCET

The NTCET stands for Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training. It is the Year 12 qualification issued in the Northern Territory and can be used as a pathway to undergraduate or TAFE study.

Offer

Written confirmation that you have been accepted into a course.

Offer round/s

Refers to the series of dates on which offers of higher education places are issued to applicants throughout the year, whether through a tertiary admission centre or directly by a higher education provider.

Parchment

The official certificate showing that you have completed a qualification, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate. You may be asked to submit your parchment to SATAC as part of your application.

Postgraduate study

Postgraduate study usually refers to qualifications completed after a bachelor degree, such as Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Masters degrees, and postdoctoral studies.

Precluded combination

Two subjects form a precluded combination if they have a significant overlap in content. They cannot both count towards your ATAR.

Preferences

The course selections you add to your SATAC application in the order you would like to be considered. 

Prerequisite

A SACE/NTCET Stage 2 subject (or equivalent) in which you must achieve at least a C- grade to be eligible for selection into a course.

Quota

The maximum number of places available in a course.

Ranking

The order of merit that institutions use to select applicants for their courses. It is usually based on academic achievement, such as your results from previous study or the level of your qualifications.

Recognised Studies

Studies outside of SACE or NTCET that can still count towards your ATAR. These can include International Baccalaureate (IB) subjects, interstate Year 12 subjects, university subjects, or VET awards. To count, the studies must be approved by the SACE Board for SACE/NTCET and approved by universities to contribute to your ATAR.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

A process used to assess an individual’s relevant prior learning (including formal, informal and non-formal learning) to determine the credit that may be granted towards completion of a qualification (adapted from Australian Qualifications Framework definition).

SACE

The SACE stands for South Australian Certificate of Education. It is the Year 12 qualification issued in South Australia and can be used as a pathway to undergraduate or TAFE study.

SATAC

SATAC stands for South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre. SATAC processes and assesses applications for tertiary study in South Australia and the Northern Territory, helping students gain entry into universities and TAFE courses.

Scaling

The mathematical process used to compare performance in different SACE/NTCET Stage 2 subjects, which may have different content, assessment, and objectives. Raw scores are scaled to make them comparable before being totalled to produce a university aggregate.

School recommendation

A recommendation from a school or other secondary education provider on the abilities of a student. Previously referred to by some as a principal’s recommendation.

Selection rank

A selection rank shows a student’s competitiveness compared to other applicants for the same course.

Selection rules

The standards and measures institutions use to choose which eligible applicants will be offered a place in a course or program.

Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

An aptitude test designed to measure an applicant’s competency in skills considered important for success in tertiary study.

TAC application

Application made through a tertiary admission centre, namely QTAC, SATAC, TISC, UAC, VTAC and University of Tasmania, in relation to applications to study in that state.

Tax file number

A personal number issued by the Australian Taxation Office. You usually need it for tax, work, government payments and HELP loans for study.

Tertiary Admissions Subject (TAS)

A SACE Stage 2 subject approved by SATAC’s member institutions as providing suitable preparation for tertiary study. Students must complete a minimum number of TAS credits to be eligible for an ATAR.

Tertiary Entrance Statement (TES)

A document showing information relevant to tertiary entrance, including your university aggregate and ATAR. SATAC issues the TES on behalf of Adelaide University, Charles Darwin University, Flinders University, and TAFE SA.

Undergraduate study

Undergraduate study is the level of study you do after finishing high school to earn your first higher education qualification. This can include a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor degree.

University Aggregate

Your total score used by SATAC to determine your course selection rank. It is made up of your best valid combination of 90 credits of TAS subjects and Recognised Studies. This aggregate is compared to all other students in your cohort to calculate your ATAR.

Valid pair

Two 10 credit TAS from the same subject area used instead of a 20 credit TAS in the calculation of an ATAR.

VET

VET stands for Vocational Education and Training. It is practical, job-focused study that helps people gain skills for specific careers or industries.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

VET courses focus on teaching practical skills for work. They include Certificate, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma qualifications offered by TAFE or other registered training organisations (RTOs).