ADMISSION TO UNDERGRADUATE

COURSES POLICY [A.02]

Avondale College of Higher Education (hereafter referred to as Avondale)
welcomes applications from all prospective students and no test of religion,
politics, race or gender is applied to determine admission as a student,
graduation or the enjoyment of any benefit, advantage or privilege of the
institution. Admission is dependent on intellectual competence and a
willingness to conform to Avondales values and regulations. Several
pathways are available to admission but the onus is on the student to
demonstrate his/her capacity to succeed in tertiary education. Avondale will
accept various forms of documentary evidence to support this claim.

Year 12 Satisfactory Completion

Australian and New Zealand students may provide evidence of satisfactory completion of
Year 12 (Australia) or Year 13 (New Zealand). This may be through achieving at least
the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score (or equivalent), as
published in the relevant course booklet available on the Avondale web under course
information. New Zealand applicants who submit NCEA Level 3 results must attain
University Entrance for entry into a degree course.

TAFE Qualifications
Successful completion of a Vocational Education and Training (VET) award at Certificate
IV or higher at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (or equivalent) will
normally be considered to meet the entry requirements into the undergraduate degree
courses at Avondale. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements. A VET
trade certificate is not accepted as entry into the Bachelor of Nursing course.

Foundation Studies
Successful completion of a Foundation Studies Course at a recognised Australian
institution, designed to prepare students for tertiary education, may be used to gain entry
into the undergraduate degree courses at Avondale.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

An appropriate score in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be provided by
applicants who do not have a satisfactory ATAR or its equivalent, and who are at least
nineteen years of age by the census date in the commencing semester of studies.

International Baccalaureate
Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with a minimum of
24 points

Special Consideration
Special consideration may be extended to people who have suffered economic or social
disadvantage. Disadvantage may be the result of many factors including: low socioeconomic background, non-English speaking background, family disruption, high mobility
in childhood, little encouragement to continue study, primary care of children, remote area
background, excessive travel time to school, personal illness, injury, disability, or refugee
status. In such cases, the onus remains with the applicant to demonstrate a level of
knowledge that indicates a capacity to succeed at tertiary level. This may be done by
undertaking the STAT test (at the discretion of the Academic Registrar the age
requirement may be waived in special circumstances), relevant VET qualifications, or by
recent passes in at least two units completed while enrolled in a degree level course at a
recognized tertiary institution.

Admission to Undergraduate Courses [A.02]

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Specific pre-requisites
Some courses have specific pre-requisites and these are listed with the information about
that particular course later in this Handbook.

For applicants eligible for Commonwealth supported places in education and

nursing
Offers of places are made in order of academic merit (based on ATAR score or its
equivalent, or other entry qualifications as assessed by the Academic Registrar).

For courses involving contact with vulnerable people

Applicants for courses offered by the Faculty of Nursing and Health, the School of
Ministry and Theology, and the School of Education and any other courses that include
contact with children, young people, the ill, or other classes of vulnerable people are
required to sign a self-disclosure form (Prohibited Persons Declaration) and consent to a
criminal record check. These checks may be required by organisations providing
professional experience placements, fieldwork, clinical placements, work experience or
professional internship placements. Applicants should note that in order to run the
criminal records check, an employer body or other agency may require Avondale to
provide it with personal information including name, date and place of birth, citizenship
status and current address.

For courses including fieldwork

Some courses require professional experience placements, fieldwork, clinical
components,
work
experience or
professional internship placements. If
organisations/agencies providing such placements decline for any reason to permit a
student to undertake this aspect of his/her studies, then he/she may not be able to
complete the requirements of the course. Avondale will do all that is reasonable to
arrange an alternative location for the student to undertake such compulsory
components. However, Avondale cannot guarantee that such an option will be available.
Students should therefore note that, in such circumstances, they may not be able to
graduate with the anticipated award.

Other courses such as nursing also require adherence to relevant NSW Health Department
vaccination and screening guidelines that are in place during the time of their course. This
may require completion of some vaccinations or undertaking of particular screening for
exposure to, or protection from, certain diseases. Non-participation in this vaccination and
screening program may prevent the completion of compulsory clinical placements and hence
the student may not be able to graduate with the anticipated award.

For international applicants whose first language is not English

Courses at Avondale are delivered in the English language. In order to complete the
courses successfully, international applicants from a country where English is not the first
language must demonstrate proficiency in English in one of the following ways:

English
Language Test
or Schooling
International
Language Test
Score (IELTS)
(Academic)*
TOEFL PBT
TOEFL iBT

Diploma of General
Studies *

All bachelor degrees *

6.0 (with no sub-band less

than 6.0)

550
78 (written score no less
than 21 (with no sub-band
less than 18)

Admission to Undergraduate Courses [A.02]

Education

Nursing #

6.5 (with no sub-band

below 6.0)

7.5 (with no subband below 7.0)**

6.5 (with no subband below 6.5)*

575 (written score no less

than 4.55)
90 (written score no less
than 21 (with no sub-band
less than 18)

n/a

575 (written score

no less than 4.55)
90 (written score
no less than 24
(with no sub-band
less than 20)

(excluding Education and

Nursing)

English
Language Test
or Schooling
Cambridge
Certificate in
Advanced English
Pearson Test of
English
(Academic)
English at school

Diploma of General
Studies *

All bachelor degrees *

Education

Nursing #

52

58

n/a

58

54

62

n/a

64

Official documentary
evidence all secondary
schooling was conducted
in English

Official documentary
evidence all secondary
schooling was conducted
in English

n/a

Official
documentary
evidence all
secondary
schooling was
conducted in
English

(excluding Education and

Nursing)

* Test result must not be older than 24 months from date of program commencement
** Test result must not be older than 12 months from date of program commencement

#Subject to consideration by the Dean, Faculty of Nursing and Health, exemptions to this
requirement may be granted to applicants who can provide suitable evidence of
secondary schooling taught and assessed in English or have been awarded the Higher
School Certificate or equivalent with a pass in English in Australia. In some
circumstances, a satisfactory interview and assessment by the Dean of Faculty or Course
Convenor of English language capability may be required.

English Language Requirements for Student Visas for International Students

Overseas applicants are also required to satisfy Australian Government visa requirements.
Applicants from countries deemed Level 3 or 4 by the Australian Department of Immigration
and Citizenship (DIAC) will be required to obtain an IELTS score of 6.0 or better, or equivalent
as approved by DIAC, (however, please note the entry requirements for Avondale courses as
identified above) to be eligible to obtain a visa, even if other options listed above are
demonstrated. The Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the home country
will provide information regarding the visa requirement.
(See http://www.immi.gov.au/students/english-requirements.htm ).
English Language Proficiency Requirement for Teachers in NSW
International students require an (IELTS) of at least 8.0 for speaking and listening as a
requirement for graduating from the program.
English Language Proficiency Requirement for Nurses in Australia
International students may require an (IELTS) of at least 7.0 for nurse registration and
currently require an International English Language Test Score (IELTS) of at least 7.0 on all
bands prior to being employed as graduate nurses in New South Wales Health facilities.
These regulations affecting nurse registration and employment in Australia may change
subject to amendments by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Boards
website should be checked for any updates available.

Admission to Undergraduate Courses [A.02]

Minimum English Language Requirements

The English entry requirements listed above are a minimum level and applicants are advised
to take further English study after enrolment if specific language challenges are encountered.
In exceptional circumstances demonstrated English proficiency to the satisfaction of the
Academic Registrar, subject to DIAC requirements, will be accepted.
If applicants do not meet these English language requirements but satisfy all other academic
requirements, they will be advised to undertake instruction in an English Language program.
For admission to all Faculties except the Faculty of Nursing and Health, this may be taken as
a package offer in which the English course is followed by undergraduate study.
COUNTRY
Botswana

Brazil

Canada

Peoples Republic of
China

Denmark
Fiji

France
Germany
Ghana
Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Japan

Kenya
Korea (South)

Malaysia

Mauritius
Netherlands

MINIMUM ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of a minimum of 3 GCE A level subjects (at least 2 subjects in one sitting);
or
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university; or
Successful completion of a recognized 3 year full-time equivalent diploma
Provincial High School or Secondary School Diploma satisfying entry to Canadian University; or
Ontario year 13 Secondary School Diploma with 6 University preparation courses with minimum
average of 65%
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university; or
Applicants with completed degrees should provide certified proof of completion including National
Emblem, certificate number and accreditation of their degree; or
Satisfactory completion of a recognised post-secondary Certificate of Graduation or Graduation
Diploma
Successful completion of Danish Studentereksmen (stx) or Hojere Forberedelseseksamen (hf), or
equivalent
Successful completion of Fijian Seventh Form Certificate with minimum average of 60% in best 4
subjects, one of which must be English; or
Successful completion of the University of the South Pacific Foundation Year
Successful completion of the French Baccalaureate
Successful completion of Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeine Hochschulreife
(Reifezeugnis)
Successful completion of West African School Certificate and a minimum of 2 passes in West
African General Certificate of Education at the advanced level
Successful completion of Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (minimum 2 advanced level
passes with minimum grades of C and 3 HKCEE passes with minimum grades of C); or
Successful completion of Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
Successful completion of Indian School Certificate; or
Successful completion of All India Senior School Certificate; or
Successful completion of Senior Secondary Certificate with minimum aggregate of 65% in best 4
subjects other than local languages
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Gakushi (Bachelor degree) at a
recognised university; or
Successful completion of SMU III Secondary School Certificate with a minimum average of 8.0 in 4
academic subjects
Successful completion of one year of full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university or junior college; or
Successful completion of Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho (Upper Secondary School Certificate of
Graduation) with a minimum GPA of 4.5 out of 5
Successful completion of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with a minimum average of B
across 7 subjects, including a B or higher in English
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university; or
Immumgye Kodung Hakkyo Choeupchang (Upper Secondary Certificate) with minimum overall
GPA of 3 out of 4
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university; or
Successful completion of a recognised polytechnic/college certificate, diploma or advanced
diploma; or
Successful completion of Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia STPM (minimum of three advanced level
subjects);
Successful completion of a minimum of 3 General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced level
subjects
Successful completion of Diploma staatsexamen Voorbereiend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs
(Diploma VMO); or
Successful completion of staatsexamen Hoger Algameen Voortgezet Onderwijis (Diploma HAVO)

Admission to Undergraduate Courses [A.02]

COUNTRY
New Zealand
Norway
South Pacific Islands
(except Fiji & PNG)
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Singapore
South Africa
Sweden
Taiwan

Tanzania
Thailand

Uganda
United Kingdom
United States

Zambia

Zimbabwe

MINIMUM ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Completion of National Certificate of Educational Achievemnt (NCEA) Level 3 with university
entrance
Successful completion of Vitnemal fra den videregaende skolen with minimum grade of 3.5
Successful completion of the University of the South Pacific Foundation Year
Completion of PNG Higher School Certificate and a successful preliminary year at Pacific Adventist
University, University of PNG or PNG University of Technology
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university
Successful completion of the Singapore Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced
Level (A level) Examination
Successful completion of the National Senior Certificate (from 2008); or
Successful completion of the Senior Certificate (prior to 2008)
Successful completion of the Slutbetyg Frn Gymnasieskola
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university; or
Successful completion of a Senior High School Diploma or Senior Vocational School Diploma with a
minimum average of 75%
Successful completion of the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education
Successful completion of the Thai Certificate of Secondary Education; or
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university
Successful completion of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education
Successful completion of a minimum of 3 General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced level
subjects (at least 2 subjects in one sitting)
Successful completion of a High School Diploma with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a
minimum score of 500 in the SAT Reasoning Test in each of the Critical Reading, Maths and
Writing sections; or
Successful completion of at least two quarters of a Bachelor degree at a regionally accredited
College or institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 ; or
Satisfactory completion of a diploma or associate diploma at an accredited institution
Successful completion of a minimum of 3 GCE A level subjects (at least 2 subjects in one sitting);
or
Successful completion of one year full-time equivalent of a Bachelor degree at a recognised
university
Successful completion of the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with a
minimum of 3 advanced level passes; or
Successful completion of a minimum of 3 GCE Advanced level subjects (at least 2 subjects in one
sitting);

Prospective students who wish to appeal against a determination made with respect to
admission to Avondale are referred to the Student Grievance and Appeals Policy (see
Academic Grievances/Prospective Student Section) which is located on the Avondale College
website at http://www.avondale.edu.au/information::Policies/display/?s=MjA0

Approved by
Academic Board

Date
23 January 2014

Admission to Undergraduate Courses [A.02]

Upload Authorised by
Academic Registrar

Replaces
v14, 20 Feb 2013

Review
January 2017