What is the ACCESS Scheme?
UNSW is committed to the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action in education. The ACCESS Scheme (established in 1987) is part of this commitment and is provided for students new to higher education who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage. The ACCESS Scheme allows UNSW to take the circumstances of individual applicants into account when allocating places in undergraduate programs.
Who is eligible to apply for the ACCESS Scheme?
To be eligible to apply for consideration under the ACCESS Scheme you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia (includes holders of a permanent humanitarian visa) AND
- have experienced long-term educational disadvantage so that your Year 11 and/or Year 12 studies (or equivalent) have been affected by circumstances beyond your control.
Who is not eligible to apply for the ACCESS Scheme?
You are not eligible to apply for consideration under the ACCESS Scheme if:
- you are an international fee-paying student
- you are currently enrolled in or have previously undertaken university, TAFE, college or other tertiary level studies either here or overseas (tertiary being defined as Diploma level or above)
- you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are applying for entry through the Nura Gili Indigenous Admission Scheme.
Types Of Disadvantage considered under ACCESS
The range of circumstances considered under ACCESS include:
- financial hardship/low SES
- English language difficulties
- refugee status
- disability or long-term illness/medical condition
- severe family illness/death
- attendance at a rural or disadvantaged high school.
Do you attend a Disadvantaged School?
If you are a current Year 12 student attending a school which is part of one of the following programs:
- NSW Department of Education and Training Low Socio-economic Transitional Equity Funding Program (formerly Priority Schools Funding Program - PSFP) or similar program or
- NSW Department of Education and Training Geographic Isolation Program (formely Country Areas Program - CAP) or similar program or
- Australian Government National Partnership for Low Socio-economic Status School Communities Program
you do not need to submit an Educational Access Scheme (EAS) application if this is the only Type of Disadvantage claimed, as UAC generates an 'electronic' application so universities can take this into account in the selection process. If you are claiming additional Types of Disadvantage (eg. financial, illness) you must lodge an EAS application.
How does the ACCESS Scheme work?
Applicants for UNSW’s ACCESS Scheme lodge an Educational Access Schemes (EAS) application (refer to 'How do I apply?' below) and their circumstances are assessed centrally at UAC according to guidelines agreed to by all UAC participating institutions. UNSW uses the centralised EAS assessment to award successful ACCESS applicants EAS bonus points to their admission rank.
This means that if you are eligible for the ACCESS Scheme your admission rank is increased and you compete with all other applicants for a place in the course. The allocation of EAS bonus points does not guarantee entry to UNSW or to your preferred course - you must meet the published cut-off for the course you are applying to. UAC will send you an Eligibility letter to advise of your eligibility for EAS consideration at all UAC participating institutions - see UAC's EAS Booklet for details. If you are eligible for UNSW's ACCESS Scheme you will receive up to ten EAS bonus points depending on the degree of educational disadvantage you have experienced.
How do I apply?
If you wish to apply for consideration under the ACCESS Scheme you must lodge two applications with the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
1. UAC Undergraduate - admission to university application
You apply for university entry through UAC. See the UAC website for details.
2. UAC Educational Access Schemes (EAS) application
You complete a common form for Educational Access Schemes (EAS) at all UAC participating universities. Booklets containing an EAS application form are available from Careers Advisers at your school or from UAC. There is no charge for lodging an EAS application.
The closing date for on-time EAS applications for admission in Semester 1 2014 is 27 September 2013. To have your EAS application assessed in time for the Main Round of offers you must submit it to UAC no later than Friday 3 January 2014.
On-going assistance, ACCESS accommodation and equity scholarships
UNSW provides many forms of assistance for students. ACCESS students can receive additional help throughout their studies. Some of the support services which will be available to you are:
- Assistance with studies if you have a disability
- On-going assistance with Academic Study Skills
- Counselling
- Careers and Employment Services
- Consideration for accommodation and equity scholarships
Successful ACCESS applicants who accept a place at UNSW are invited to participate in the SMART START orientation program run by SEADU in February. The Student Equity Officers co-ordinate online groups and events and provide ongoing advice, support and referral for enrolled ACCESS students.
For further information contact:
Student Equity Officer (ACCESS and Programs)
Student Equity and Disabilities Unit (SEADU)
+61 2 9385 4734
SEADU@unsw.edu.au
To download SEADU's brochure on Making Uni Accessible please click here.
