How to score early entry to university, before your final exams

Feeling the pressure of your VCE exams? That’s totally fair. It can seem like there’s a lot riding on the last few months (or years!) of high school, particularly as you begin to make big decisions about your future.

Bit imagine how confident you’d feel breezing into that exam room, knowing you already had head start. Perhaps some extra ATAR points up your sleeve, a scholarship in your sights, or a Conditional Offer from a university of your choice in your back pocket.

At VU, we’ve tailored a program unique to you – VU Early Entry. With membership coming with a whole pack of perks (think exclusive scholarships, Conditional Offers, ATAR bonus points, and other freebies), it also gives you the opportunity to access expert advice throughout your year when you need it most. 

Scan the below for your "need to know" on all things VU Early Entry. Or, if you know it all already – what's stopping you from applying right now?

Show me where to apply!

Early entry programs like VU Early Entry can take some of the stress out of your final year(s) of school. You can stride confidently towards your future, knowing you've locked in some future moves for yourself and can stress less around exam time. 

An early entry offer doesn’t close off your options either. You can still list your course preferences in your VTAC application, and change them around as you wish, until change of preferences closes. Here are some important preferencing dates you should mark in your calendar.

The ease of pressure that an early entry offer grants can also free you up for other logistics. You can start planning your life after school – such as where you want to live and what kind of part-time jobs may work around your study schedule. 

And if flexibility is important to you while you study, our award-winning VU Block Model® can help you fit study around your life. You'll study one subject at a time, in four-week blocks. That means you can focus your efforts, master your skills, and receive real-time feedback before moving on to the next subject. 

VU Early Entry – your personalised ticket

Here's your "at a glance" list of what VU Early Entry can offer you as a member:

• A Conditional Offer – An early Conditional Offer^# to a VU course in October – so you know where you stand before exams and results.
• Five bonus ATAR points – for all Year 12 students doing scored VCE, five bonus ATAR points will be added to your ATAR score* for VU courses that consider ATAR as part of the admission requirements.
• Exclusive scholarships – we’re offering scholarships to the value of $5,000^, as well as a chance at a free year of accommodation at UniLodge VU
• VU gym access for you and a friend – hit up one of VU's gyms on us with a free 30-use pass for you and a friend, and stay active during your studies.
• Freebies like an ATARNotes+ subscription – valued at $249 and free for members, you'll be able to access all the study notes and flashcards you need (plus other freebies through the year).
• Course advice – we offer one-on-one guidance and support, so you can craft a perfectly personalised VTAC list and feel confident throughout your final year of high school (plus a personalised hotline for you at preference time).

Tips to help you prepare

As part of the application, you'll be asked to tell us a little about yourself by answering the following questions:

• How would studying at VU help you make a difference?
• How do you contribute to your community, school or family?
• Who or what drives you to succeed and achieve your best throughout your VCE journey?

We are looking for applicants who embody the values of Victoria University: progressive, forward-thinking, inclusive and bold! 

This section helps us get to know you beyond your ATAR and makes you eligible for the chance to be awarded a scholarship. You can answer one question or as many as you like – but the more details you share, the better we can match you to our scholarships.

We recommend you allow yourself at least 20 minutes to write your responses.

Need a little inspiration? Check out some sample answers below.

• How would studying at VU help you make a difference? (Answering this question will make you eligible for our $5,000 Innovator Scholarship)

I'm particularly interested in pursuing studies in areas such as physiotherapy and design because I am passionate about improving people's lives – whether through physical health or creative, functional solutions that enhance wellbeing.

VU’s strong reputation in health sciences, combined with its modern approach to education through the Block Model, gives students like me the opportunity to truly focus and engage with each subject.

Additionally, VU’s emphasis on industry partnerships and placement opportunities aligns perfectly with my goal of gaining practical experience while I study.

Studying at VU would allow me to build a career that combines creativity, empathy, and science – ultimately helping others live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

• How do you contribute to your community, school and/or family? (Answering this question will make you eligible for our $5,000 Community Scholarship)

"I have volunteered with The Uniting Care within the last year and have received a Certificate of Appreciation. During this time I assisted with the distribution of food to less fortunate members of the Geelong community. 

I also have a driving passion for environmental health and sustainability. Through my casual employment I engage with management in an attempt to change and improve environmental practices of the business to ensure that a more sustainable approach is taken. This is an important element of business models for the future."

• Who or what drives you to succeed and achieve your best throughout your VCE journey? (Answering this question will make you eligible for our $5,000 Achiever Scholarship)

"My late grandfather inspires me to succeed. At the age of 20 he started his own business and built his dream from the ground up. He migrated to Australia with very little English and was a hard worker who provided for his family and gave back to the community during his life. I have inherited his work ethic, and know that if I have the opportunity to go to university I will be able to go even further and also give back to the community.

I’m inspired to succeed by former prime minister Julia Gillard. She was a trailblazer for Australian women, a leader in politics and a former lawyer – also a male-dominated profession. She fought against discrimination to get to the top of her career and while in power she responded to unfair targeting and slanderous behaviour with intelligence and respect."

If you need more help, don't hesitate to reach out to our team and we can help walk you through it. Just email [email protected] .

^#Conditional Offers are for Year 12 students completing scored VCE (or equivalent Australian Year 12 qualification) who intend to enrol in undergraduate courses only. A Conditional Offer means a place is reserved for you, but conditions still apply – you’ll still need to finish Year 12 and meet other criteria such as ATAR and study score requirements. Conditional Offers are not valid for Bachelor of Education (P-12) and Bachelor of Education (Primary). 

*ATAR bonus not valid for Bachelor of Education (P-12) and Bachelor of Education (Primary).   

^The VU Scholarships team will review your VU Early Entry program responses and award the Achiever, Innovator and Community Leader Scholarships based on this. The Achiever Scholarship will be based on Year 12 academic results.