How do VTAC preferences work?
The way the VTAC preference system works means that it is best to list your preferences in the order in which you would most like to receive an offer (i.e. by preference).
As a VTAC applicant, you have the option to list up to 8 course preferences in your application. The details of your application are sent by VTAC to all the courses at each of the universities you have listed as a preference. Your application will be considered for all of these courses at the same time, regardless of how high or low each course is on your preference list.
Selection committees for all courses you have listed as a preference inform VTAC by the same deadline if they wish to make you an offer or not. It is then the role of VTAC to process the selection outcomes to determine which course you have been offered that is the highest on your preference list. This is the offer you will receive!
Selection officers do not consider the preference level of their course when deciding whether or not to make you an offer. This means that when they are deciding if they will you offer you a place in their course, they do not take into consideration how high or low their course is on your list of preferences. The order of your preferences will not disadvantage your application in any way.
Example
In this example the applicant will be unaware that their second preference chose not to make them an offer or that their third preference would have made them an offer. The only offer they will receive is the one made by the highest preference – in this case their first preference.
Trying to second-guess the system by putting your dream course second and the course you're sure you'll get an offer for first will most likely result in you getting an offer for your first preference and you'll never know if your dream course would have made you an offer or not.
Don't have an ATAR?
If you studied International Baccalaureate (IB) at school check out VTAC’s 2018 International Baccalaureate Combined Rank and Notional ATAR table to convert your IB score to a notional ATAR.
If you studied overseas for high-school, you’ll need to check if your education provider’s qualification meets the minimum Victorian Tertiary Entrance Requirements.
If you didn’t complete Year 12 and are a non-school leaver, we have an entry pathway through our Access Melbourne program. You’ll need to demonstrate your likelihood to succeed in your application.
If you are already studying at TAFE or University at Certificate IV level or higher you will be able to use those results for your application to study.