A door into uni, no matter your ATAR

Worried about your ATAR? Daniel didn't let his results hold him back.

On ATAR release day, Daniel was one of many Year 12 students across Australia in no mood to celebrate. “I thought all of my hard work didn’t really equate to the mark that I received back” he says.

Nobody in Daniel’s family had been to university, but they held the idea of education in high regard, and wanted more for Daniel than they had themselves.

Open Universities Australia student Daniel, walking outside with a coffee.
Daniel - Studied Business with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia.

In the blink of an eye, Daniel’s options for traditional uni became limited. He was also working full time, so he wasn’t able to plan his life around the demands of a timetable. After coming across an ad for Open Universities Australia (OUA) on TV, Daniel jumped onto the website and started exploring his options.

Through OUA, if you don’t have the required ATAR to enter a full degree, you can become eligible by passing a few undergraduate subjects first. That’s exactly what Daniel did – he took on some subjects, proved himself capable, and was accepted into the Bachelor of Business with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia.

Open Universities Australia student Daniel.

After a few years of study, Daniel can call himself a graduate. In fact, he has already joined the workforce. He’s employed as a Graduate Analyst for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. His job keeps him on his toes, providing plenty of variety and opportunities to grow as a professional.

Because Daniel studied online, he was able to take on more subjects at a time than he could have on campus, giving him the advantage of graduating a year early. This allowed him to apply sooner for graduate positions—reaching the finish line before all of his classmates.

Open Universities Australia student Daniel, looking out a window at a high rise building.

As Daniel proved, an ATAR score doesn’t indicate your intelligence, or your worth. Sometimes it’s the pressure of Year 12, particularly in an exam environment, that can keep a person from performing at their full potential. And most importantly, there are other pathways into the career you’ve been dreaming of.

Get into uni through Open Universities Australia

Getting into university to study a field you’re interested in? Open Universities Australia can help you achieve it, no matter your ATAR results. Many degrees available through OUA allow you to start studying by passing pre-requisite subjects. Better yet, you can enrol in these subjects today.

Not only can Open Universities Australia help you get into university, through OUA you can study online, in your own time and space.

Browse  thousands of courses from leading Australian universities.

Or complete the form on this page to chat to an advisor about study options.

Explore courses

Related blogs

Does your ATAR really matter?

And is it the end of the world if you don't get the score you wanted? Find out why the ATAR doesn't hold as much weight as it once did.

Help me studyStudy options

The change of preference period explained for Year 12s

Once ATAR results are out, you’ll have one more chance to change your course shortlist before main round uni offers. Here are the most important things to understand about this crucial change of preference period.

Help me study

What to do if your ATAR is low

It's nerve-wracking to think about, but here's what you should do if you land a low ATAR—plus other tips for your ATAR results. 

Help me studyStudy options

Why single subject study could be perfect for you

Did you know you can take a single university subject without committing to the whole qualification? It’s a great way to upskill—or to give your degree a test run. 

Featured courseStudy options