Guide to submitting your preferences
Studying at university is a massive step.
Here at La Trobe, we want to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision that's right for you.
You've nearly finished VCE. A whole world awaits. Taking the next steps can be tricky.
That's why we'll support you with a huge range of handy info, from making sure you've ticked every box for close of preferences, to getting all the answers you need to consider preferencing La Trobe.
Plan your way into La Trobe
We understand this is a life-changing decision and you want to get it right.
From tools to help you narrow down your courses to super helpful checklists and 1:1 consultations with our experts – we're here to support your transition to uni.
How to apply through VTAC
If you’re a Year 12 student from Victoria, you’ll usually lodge an application via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Your application will then be assessed based on your year 12 results when they’re released.
Once you’ve found the course you want to study, check the 'entry requirements' section of the course page.
Specific course requirements
Some courses have other requirements like prerequisites or portfolio presentations. These can also be found in the 'entry requirements' section of your chosen course.
It's also worth noting a course's ATAR (minimum selection rank) from the previous year* and its subject bonus criteria. If your ATAR is just below the minimum selection rank, selection officers will consider additional information including:
- results from certain Year 12 subjects
- personal circumstances you may have experienced in your final year of studies.
*Note: ATAR information is published as a guide based on the most recent Semester 1 intake. Minimum selection rank can change from year to year. Meeting minimum ATAR requirements doesn’t guarantee your admission. Your success may depend on your academic record, experience and other factors compared with other applicants.
If you haven't received the right ATAR to be accepted into your course, include a 'pathway' option on your VTAC preferences to improve your chances of being admitted into your preferred course in the near future.
Example: you may want to get into the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, which last year had an ATAR of 80.05. You estimate your ATAR result will be around 75, so you place the Bachelor of Science with an ATAR of 60 as your second preference. This way, if you miss out on the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, you can accept an offer to the Bachelor of Science, get good marks in your first year and transfer into the second year of biomedical sciences.
Find a course by ATAR to plan your pathways into your top course.
There are pathways and entry schemes, even if you didn't finish Year 12 or get the marks you wanted. You could get special consideration to reduce the ATAR you need, do a short program to prepare for university, get another qualification that will take time off your degree or several other options.
Once you've decided on your courses, you can apply through VTAC.
If you’re a year 12 student, you’ll receive your ATAR in December. At this point, you may choose to change your preferences.
If you’re not a year 12 student, you can change your preferences at any time before the deadline.
The ‘minimum selection rank’ for previous years are only a guide, as they often change from year to year. Even if you think you might miss out on a place based on your ATAR, the entry score for this year could be lower. Make sure to use all 12 of your preferences to cover all avenues to your preferred course.
Once you receive your offer, it's important to accept and enrol to secure your place at university. You also have the option of checking whether you can defer your course.
Ready to make your choice?
If you’ve decided on the course you’d like to study, you can make your preferences on the VTAC website.
Need some help finding the right course?
Explore La Trobe
Do you have questions about the application process?
FAQ
VTAC stands for the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. VTAC facilitates student access to tertiary institutions, which is why you need to submit your preferences through them.
If you’re not a Year 12 student, check out our how to apply page for details on how to get into your dream La Trobe course.
You have four periods to get your course application in: timely, late, very late and January applications. It’s important to note the different fee costs for each application period.
Please visit the VTAC website for more details about key dates, as well as fees, scholarships, access schemes, supporting documentation and more.
Once you’ve submitted your preferences, you’ll need to wait for the next offer round to find out if you’ve received an offer.
If you’ve received an offer, you’ll get it via email on the day of release from 2pm (only the December round begins from 10am). Make sure you have access to your VTAC account to check the status of your preferences and offers.
For all your key dates including ATAR score releases and when la Trobe University will send course offers, visit the Future Students Key Dates calendar
Yes, you can change your preferences. If you’ve discovered a new course that fits you better, you can use the Change of Preferences period to adjust your VTAC course list. Changing your preferences is simple, just log in to your VTAC account to get started.
There are a number of windows in which you can change your preferences. Please visit the VTAC website for more information on dates and be aware of when each window closes. Remember, courses can fill up as offers are accepted, so it’s best to get your preferences in as soon as possible.
La Trobe is here to support you during the Change of Preference period, with lots of helpful information about courses, career outcomes and what it’s like to study with us. Check out our Year 12 Hub to learn more about what you can study with us and to hear from first year university students.