ACCESS scheme

The University of New South Wales is committed to the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action in education. The ACCESS Scheme is part of this commitment and is provided for new to higher education students who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage.

To be eligible for consideration you must:

You are not eligible for the ACCESS Scheme if:

The range of circumstances that may have contributed to educational disadvantage could include:

Applicants for UNSW’s ACCESS Scheme lodge an Educational Access Schemes (EAS) application (refer to How do I Apply?) and their circumstances are assessed at UAC according to guidelines agreed to by all participating institutions. UNSW uses the EAS assessment data to award successful ACCESS applicants bonus points to their admission rank. This means that an applicant’s selection rank is increased and they compete with all other applicants for a place in the course on the basis of academic merit. The allocation of bonus points does not guarantee entry to UNSW or to the applicant’s preferred course; applicants must meet UNSW’s published cut-off for the course they are applying to.

NSW Priority Schools Program (PSP) or Country Areas Program (CAP) Schools

Any student who attended a school that is under the NSW Priority Schools Program (PSP) or Country Areas Program (CAP), will automatically be awarded bonus points when applying for the university through UAC and do not need to send in an EAS application. However, if the student attended a PSP or CAP school and experienced any of the educational disadvantages considered under the ACCESS scheme (listed above), they may be eligible for extra bonus points. To be assessed for extra bonus points, students must complete an EAS application.

Students who are unsure if their school is under the NSW Priority Schools Program or Country Areas Program, should ask their school's Careers Adviser.

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:

Successful ACCESS applicants who accept a place at UNSW are expected to participate in the support service program offered by the ACCESS Scheme Office. This includes attendance at an orientation seminar and attendance at group or individual meetings with the ACCESS Scheme Co-ordinator as required.

For further information contact:

Student Equity Officer (ACCESS and Programs)
Student Equity and Disabilities Unit
Tel: +61 2 9385 5434
Email: SEADU@unsw.edu.au

If you wish to apply for the ACCESS Scheme you must lodge two applications with the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants will apply for university entry through the UAC's apply-by-web. See UAC website for details.

Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage can lodge an application for Educational Access Schemes (at one or more universities) through UAC. Applicants complete a common form for Educational Access Schemes (EAS) at all 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 is 30 September 2008. UAC will accept late EAS applications until 28 November but applicants should be aware that to be guaranteed for consideration under UNSW's ACCESS Scheme for Main Round offers EAS applications must be submitted by 30 September 2008.

UNSW does not accept late direct applications for the ACCESS Scheme.

Remember any student who attended a PSP or CAP school and experienced any of the educational disadvantages considered under the ACCESS scheme, must complete an EAS application to be assessed for extra bonus points.

Head, UAC Admissions & Equity Programs
UNSW Admissions Office
Tel: 02 9385 3228
Email: ugadmis@unsw.edu.au

UNSW Admissions Office (ACCESS Scheme)
The University of New South Wales
UNSW Sydney NSW 2052