In 2020, a study from the Mitchell Institute found that just 26% of Australian students enter an undergraduate degree based on their ATAR, casting doubts as to the relevance of the system.
Another report published later that year declared that the ATAR “cannot continue to dominate the education experience”, as the Australian education system adjusts to the longer-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis.
In line with the suggestions from these reports, some schools and universities have been moving to a post-ATAR model of education, offering school leavers new career pathways and opportunities.
This is indeed timely, as many VCE students are understandably worried about their test scores following a tumultuous and disruptive year.
For the first time, VCE students graduating in 2021 will be able to apply without an ATAR requirement for Swinburne University of Technology Professional Degrees, which offers a paid 12-month industry placement.
The Swinburne Early Entry Program had hundreds of successful applicants when it launched last year and is now expanding to cover 44 courses, including the Professional Degrees, across science, technology, engineering, arts, media and other key subjects.
Students complete a short ‘next gen now’ questionnaire as part of the application, which asks how they want to make an impact and how they see people and technology working together to create a better world. Schools are also asked to provide a recommendation and students must achieve an English study score of at least 25 and fulfil any other subject prerequisites for the course that they apply for.
Feedback for last year’s Early Entry Program was overwhelmingly positive, with students noting that the conditional offer for Swinburne gave them confidence going into their VCE exams.
Swinburne Bachelor of Engineering student Anna To, who received a conditional offer as part of last year’s Early Entry Program, says that the program allowed her to focus on doing her best, rather than worrying about a number.
“It was a big relief,” she said. “With the offer, I had a safety net. It made me a lot more confident and helped with all the anxiety I felt about exams and getting into uni.”
Swinburne’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Professor Chris Pilgrim, said the Swinburne Early Entry Program is designed to give students with fresh perspectives and committed mindsets the opportunity to take their next step.
"Final year exams can be a stressful time, especially now with a second year of COVID disruptions," Professor Pilgrim told The Educator.
"By offering talented and motivated students a pathway into university that doesn’t depend on their ATAR, we give school leavers confidence heading into their exams and help them focus on what impact they want to make in the world."
Professor Pilgrim said the program's use of school recommendations and answers to future-focused questions helps the University to ensure it is admitting students with a genuine passion for what they want to study and that might be missed by other programs.
"Using our ‘next gen_now’ questionnaire, we’re identifying students who want to make their mark on the future and bring people and technology together to build a better world."