A
Academic transcript
A complete record of your academic study showing your subjects and grades for any course you have undertaken. You may be required to submit this to SATAC to support your application.
Adjustment factors
Extra points used in combination with a university aggregate to determine a course selection rank.
Admission pathways
The options available to prospective students which enable them to meet the entry requirements of a course/program.
Assumed knowledge
Background knowledge in a SACE/NTCET Stage 1 or Stage 2 subject (or equivalent), or an identified skill, that will enhance a student’s understanding of the content of a given undergraduate course.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
A rank given to students on a range from 0 to 99.95 to show their competitiveness, or how well they have performed, in relation to other Year 12 students in Australia.
B
Bachelor degree
An undergraduate award of three or more years of full-time or equivalent part-time study.
C
Census date
The last day a student can withdraw from a university course or subject without incurring student fees or grades.
Concurrent degree
When a student undertakes two degrees at the same time.
Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA)
The CSPA is a tool designed to indicate reading, writing and numeracy/maths skills. Satisfactory outcomes from the CSPA is a course admission requirement (CAR) for a range of TAFE SA courses.
Course admission requirements
The criteria that applicants to certain TAFE SA courses must meet in order to be eligible for selection into the course. Details of the course admission requirements for each course is explained in the course entry details in the SATAC application or on the TAFE SA website.
D
Domestic student
A student who is an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or person who holds an Australian permanent visa when they enrol.
E
Eligibility
Applicants are eligible to be considered for a place in a course/program if they meet the selection criteria for that course/program, including any prerequisites or additional entry requirements (e.g. interview or portfolio) as outlined by the institution.
Equal consideration
The principle that all applicants who have the same selection rank for a course, and are applying on the basis of like qualifications, will be treated equally in the selection process, providing they apply by the relevant dates, pay the relevant SATAC fees and follow the requirements of the application.
External study
Also referred to as distance learning or online study, external study normally does not require a student to attend classes on campus on a regular basis. You may instead be required to study at another location or online.
F
Fees
Fees may refer to SATAC fees for processing an application or admissions test, or student contributions or tuition fees charged by the institution for your study. SATAC fees apply to undergraduate and postgraduate applications, and applications to sit the STAT. Information about tuition fees can be found by contacting the relevant institution.
G
Grade Point Average (GPA)
In higher education qualifications, a numerical value which represents the average results of all the grades a student achieves over a specified period of time. The calculation is based on the final grade achieved in each course, the grade point value associated with each final grade, and the unit value of each course.
Grading system
The methodology used by higher education institutions to indicate levels of achievement in a course.
H
Higher education
Study at diploma level or above at a university or equivalent (e.g. a college of advanced education, institute of technology, or institute of higher education).
Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Eligible students may choose to defer all or part of their student fees to a HELP loan. The loan is paid back through tax contributions once the student earns above the threshold. The most common types of HELP loan are HECS-HELP for Commonwealth Supported students, and FEE-HELP for full-fee paying students.
I
Institution
A university, college of higher education or VET provider whose courses you can apply for through SATAC. View SATAC's participating institutions.
N
NTCET
Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training. The Year 12 qualification issued in the Northern Territory which may be used by students as a pathway to undergraduate or TAFE study.
O
Offer
Written confirmation that you have been accepted for a place in a course.
P
Parchment
The official certification of your completion of an award such as a degree, diploma, or certificate. You may be required to submit this to SATAC as part of your application.
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate study usually refers to awards such as Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Masters degrees and postdoctoral studies.
Preferences
The course selections you add to your SATAC application.
Prerequisite
A SACE/NTCET Stage 2 subject or equivalent in which a student must obtain a minimum grade of C- in order to be eligible for selection into a course.
Q
Quota
The maximum number of places available in a course.
R
Ranking
The order of merit which the institutions use to select applicants for their courses. This is usually determined by academic merit on the basis of results from your previous study or the level of your qualifications.
Recognised Studies
Study undertaken other than SACE or NTCET subjects that can count towards an ATAR. Recognised Studies can include International Baccalaureate Diploma subjects, interstate Year 12 subjects, university subjects, or VET awards. Studies must have the approval of the SACE Board to count towards the SACE or NTCET, and approval from the universities to count towards an ATAR.
S
SACE
South Australian Certificate of Education. The Year 12 qualification issued in South Australia by the SACE Board which may be used by students as a pathway to undergraduate or TAFE study.
SATAC
South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre. SATAC performs a range of functions that support and facilitate the processing and assessment of applications for tertiary study in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Scaling
The mathematical process that provides a basis for comparing performance in different SACE/NTCET Stage 2 subjects which have different objectives, content and assessment processes. Raw scores obtained for subjects are scaled to ensure they are comparable before they are totalled to produce the university aggregate.
Selection rank
A selection rank determines a student’s competitiveness relative to other applicants for the same course.
Selection rules
The standards and measures used to choose eligible applicants for admission to a program or course.
Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
An aptitude test designed to assess an applicant's level of competency in skills considered important for successful tertiary study.
T
Tertiary Admissions Subject (TAS)
A SACE Stage 2 subject approved by SATAC’s member institutions as providing appropriate preparation for tertiary studies. SATAC’s member institutions require students to study a minimum number of credits of TAS to be eligible to receive an ATAR.
Tertiary Entrance Statement (TES)
The Tertiary Entrance Statement is a document which shows information relevant to tertiary entrance, such as the university aggregate and ATAR. SATAC issues the TES on behalf of Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and TAFE SA.
U
Undergraduate
A student who is undertaking a program or course of study leading to an undergraduate award, such as a higher education diploma, associate degree, or bachelor degree.
V
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
VET courses are courses that focus on providing skills for work. VET courses include qualifications at Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level from a TAFE or other registered training organisation (RTO).