Indigenous Students
At the University of Adelaide, we welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to study all of our courses and programs.
University life is full of amazing opportunities and challenges and we're committed to helping you reach your goals and achieve your dreams.
Kaurna welcome
Welcome to Country with Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis O'Brien.
Student experience
Student Matilda D’Antoine shares her experience of being the first in her family to attend university, and how she sees studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science can help her community in the future.
Why go to university?
As a University of Adelaide graduate you will have qualities relevant to the needs of employers, the industry and the community.
Uni graduates find employment
Having a university degree gives you the skills and advantage to secure employment.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates report notably strong employment prospects. 80% are in full-time employment after graduating.*
Employability skills
A university degree gives you the specialist knowledge you will need for a specific career and develops key skills.
Skills that are important to employers:
- communication
- teamwork
- problem-solving
- initiative and enterprise
- planning and organisation
- self-management
- learning
- technology
People change careers several times during their working life. The skills you gain at university will be valuable in many job and life situations.
Great earning potential
Enjoying your time at work is important, getting paid for your hard work is important too.
The average graduate starting salary - what graduates under 25 years get paid in their first job out of uni - is around $49‚000 per year.*
Personal growth
The University of Adelaide is a cultural and ethical place. Wirltu Yarlu supports students and empowers them to grow, develop, and learn valuable life skills.
*Source: Graduate Destinations 2015
*Source: Graduate Destinations 2010
There are many ways to be accepted to study at the University of Adelaide.
What do I need to get in?
Most students use their high school qualification and start after finishing Year 12. If that doesn't apply to you, check out:
- Wirltu Yarlu's University Preparatory Program, or
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme, or
- University entry pathways, where you can find information on alternative entry pathways and criteria
Admission to all of our degrees is limited by quota (in other words, class size) so academic merit is used to determine entry.
Some courses (for example Medicine and Dentistry) also have additional entrance criteria or pre-requisites such as the Undergraduate Medical and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT), and others (for example Music) have interviews or auditions.
TAFE credits
If you have already gained qualifications through VET providers such as TAFE SA, you may be able to gain credit through our growing range of pre-approved pathways.
If you have completed secondary schooling or have formal qualifications through a registered institution, and complete requirements for entry into particular degree programs (if applicable) e.g. prerequisite subjects, UMAT etc. follow the application steps below.
- STEP 1: Get advice
Contact or set up a consultation meeting with a Wirltu Yarlu staff member or with a Future Student Advisor. Our friendly advisors will help you understand all the options available to you, based on your individual circumstances and can guide you through the next steps. - STEP 2: Find your degree
The University has a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs available. Search for our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees by using Degree Finder, and consider both your intended career outcome and your personal interests when selecting a suitable program. - STEP 3: Still have questions?
Contact Wirltu Yarlu, or check out the My Adelaide Knowledgebase if you need help with terminology or have any other questions - STEP 4: Get your documents ready
If you are using old year 12 results, a TAFE, VET or ADF qualification, or prior university study to gain entry, then make sure you have results and transcripts handy. You may require these during the application process. If you are planning to take the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), then you will need to arrange to sit this prior to submitting your application. If you are applying through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme, make sure you complete their application form. - STEP 5: Apply through SATAC
Apply through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) website. Be sure to include any existing qualifications you have such as, certificates or diplomas that could be recognised as prior learning and work toward your program’s prerequisites. If you have more than one result of qualification that makes you eligible for entry you can include them all in your application and we will consider your highest result.
Study pathways
Students who successfully complete the Wirltu Yarlu University Preparatory Program or the CASM Foundation Program can look to further their studies by following the degree process above.
