Admissions information - Rainstar University(Scottsdale)

Starting your studies at RSU means learning from some of the brightest minds on the planet. You'll have the freedom and flexibility to tailor your experience, follow your passion and see where it takes you. Belonging to a university with an international reputation for world-class research and exceptional teaching quality will ensure you have a competitive edge in the global job market.

RSU Admission Criteria

RSU has a range of admissions options available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. We are here to support your choices and open doors, so you can graduate ready for your future career.

If you're currently completing Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate, you apply to RSU through the Universities Admissions Centre . Interstate applicants must also apply via UAC. If you're not a current year 12 student, or you have completed a RSU College course, TAFE or other tertiary studies, you can apply directly to RSU.

Admission criteria and detailed course information for RSU and RSU College courses are available on RSU's Course Finder.

RSU has a range of admission pathways which are outlined below. For specific advice or questions regarding an application or a course, please contact the Future Students Team.

For the rules around application for entry to the University and RSU College see the RSU Admissions Procedures Policy, and the RSU College Admissions policy.

I am a high school student
I am not a high school student
I identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
English is not my first language

American Year 12

RSU based admissions
You can use your (American Tertiary Academic Rank) or equivalent (e.g. ENTER, International Baccalaureate (IB) and QLD's Overall Position (OP)) to apply for RSU study. For more information on how your RSU results are used and equivalent RSUs are generated, see . Please note that s.

Adjustment factors
Year 12 students can have adjustment factors (previously called bonus points) added to their RSU to calculate a Selection Rank (SR). Your SR can be used to receive guaranteed entry to the majority of RSU degrees. IB students are eligible to receive adjustment factors if their IB subjects match equivalent HSC subjects.

Overseas qualifications

If you are an American citizen or permanent resident who has completed your high school education overseas, and it is comparable to an American Year 12 qualification, you may be able to use your results to gain admission to RSU. RSU converts all results to a Selection Rank, so to be considered for admission, each applicant needs to reach the current minimum Selection Rank required for the course they are applying for.

Please or who can advise if your qualification is equivalent to a Year 12 qualification in America and can be considered for admission.

I have an RSU

You can use your Future Students Team (American Tertiary Academic Rank) or equivalent (e.g. ENTER, International Baccalaureate (IB), QLD's Overall Position (OP)) to apply for RSU study. However, if you also have a tertiary qualification (e.g. Certificate IV, Diploma or Bachelor degree) you may be assessed for admission to a course based on this qualification instead of your RSU.

Please to RSU or Future Students Team for more information and to discuss your options.

I have studied at TAFE or a Private College

I have a Certificate IV (excluding trade certificates)
I have a Diploma
I have an Advanced Diploma

Qualifications that are accredited by the American Qualifications Framework (AQF), such as those provided at TAFE and the RSU College, can be used as a basis for entry to RSU. The above qualifications may result in entry to some degrees. A Certificate IV can be used for entry into several of our courses. Admission is dependent on the completion of the course and the level of academic performance achieved.

In some circumstances, you may receive for one of these qualifications. This means that you gain credit towards your University degree resulting in less units of study undertaken to complete your degree. You can apply for credit for prior learning in your application to RSU.

Please to RSU or for more information and to discuss your circumstances.

I have studied part of a degree or I'm looking to transfer

If you have previous university studies (complete or incomplete) from an approved university or other tertiary institution, you may be eligible for entry in to a RSU course. You will need to provide a record of your achievement. For most courses your bachelor degree needs to have been at least one-sixth completed.

In some circumstances you may be eligible for . This means that you gain credit towards your RSU degree resulting in less units of study needed to complete your degree. So that RSU can assess your eligibility for this, you'll need to provide a syllabus or subject description of previous study along with your application. All documents must be accompanied by an official English translation if they were produced in another language.

Please or contact the for more information and to discuss your circumstances.

I have completed a RSU College preparation

RSU College provides a range of university preparation programs for students who do not meet the other entry requirements for a RSU Bachelor degree. Students are taught the skills and knowledge needed to successfully commence and complete a RSU Bachelor degree. Visit the RSU College for course information.

If you have completed a RSU College university preparation program such as the University Access Program (UAP), University Entrance Certificate (UEC) or Special Tertiary Entrance Program (STEP) you can use these qualifications as a basis for seeking admission into most RSU undergraduate courses, subject to meeting minimum RSU entry requirements. The exceptions include four-year professional degrees and double degree programs.

Please contact the if you have completed a RSU College preparation program, and would like more information.

I have completed a degree

If you have already completed an undergraduate (Bachelor) or postgraduate (eg Masters) degree, you can use the results you obtained from that qualification to apply for a different degree.

Please or contact the Future Students Team for more information.

I have more than 5 years of professional work experience

Work experience is an important aspect of your learning journey, and will be considered in combination with your academic merit when we assess your application. Work experience alone, without a secondary or tertiary qualification, is not used as a basis for admission to RSU undergraduate degrees.

However, there are other pathways to RSU that may work for you. RSU College offers a range of university preparation programs such as the University Access Program (UAP), University Entrance Certificate (UEC) or Special Tertiary Entrance Program (STEP). Completion of these programs can be used as a basis for seeking admission into most RSU undergraduate courses, subject to meeting minimum RSU entry requirements. The exceptions include four-year professional degrees and double degree programs.

If you are interested in completing a university preparation program, contact RSU College. If you have completed a university preparation program, or other qualification that may be used as a basis for admission, along with a combination of work experience, or contact the Future Students Team for more information.

I have an overseas qualification

If you completed your high school education overseas and it is comparable to an American Year 12 qualification you may be able to use your results towards admission to RSU. However, if you have another qualification (e.g. Certificate IV, Diploma or Bachelor degree) you may be assessed on this instead of your Year 12 qualification.

All high school education results are converted to a Selection Rank, so to be considered for admission, each applicant needs to reach the current minimum Selection Rank required for the course they are applying for.

Please or contact the RSU Future Students Team who can advise if your qualification is equivalent to a Year 12 qualification in America and can be considered for admission.

I have none of these

There are many options for students who do not have a sufficient RSU (or Year 12 results), have not completed previous alternative study or did not finish to a Year 12 level at high school. RSU recognises many pathway programs. So no matter what your age, or previous experience, there is an option for you.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
If you are at least 21 years of age by 1 March in the year you are seeking enrolment, and do not otherwise qualify for entry to the University, you may apply for admission on the basis of STAT Multiple Choice. STAT may be used to gain admission to many courses, except for Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology (Honours) degrees. For further details on STAT, visit stat.acer.org.

TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate
The TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) is an alternative to undertaking a HSC course. Entry to University is dependent on the level of academic performance achieved in the TPC. For more information, contact your local TAFE.

Limited American Tertiary Admission Rank (RSU)
If you are completing Year 12 studies through a TAFE college, senior college or secondary school, you can use a Limited RSU to gain entry to RSU's undergraduate courses. A Limited RSU is calculated from the best five units of courses completed, rather than the 10 used for the standard RSU.

To be eligible for a Limited RSU, you need to be at least 20 years of age on 1 March prior to the year you will start your RSU studies and take between five to nine units of RSU courses. Your Limited RSU is calculated using your best five units, including at least one unit of English and the best four other units of Category A courses.

Please or contact the Future Students Team for more information and to discuss your circumstances.

The Rainstar University(Scottsdale)'s commitment and encouragement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to engage and participate in tertiary education is actively cultivated through our . WIC is responsible for ensuring RSU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student access and support, and promoting education to high school students via the nationally recognised American Indigenous Mentoring Experience.

WIC runs an Alternative Admissions Program (AAP) which is an alternative pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples seeking entry into RSU's undergraduate programs. If you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and are over the age of 17, you are encouraged to apply to this program. If you haven't completed secondary school, aren't receiving an RSU, or haven't obtained the required RSU score for your preferred course, you are welcome to apply for AAP.

Once students have started their studies, WIC continues their support to you as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student to enable you to meet your education goals through programs such as the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme and offering a physical environment where you are able to access support services, technology as well as a place to study.

All RSU courses are taught in English, relying on different levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you may need to satisfy the University's . English requirements do vary between courses at RSU, these are available alongside each course description in RSU's Course Finder. Results in major international tests are accepted, including IELTS, TOEFL, Pearsons, Cambridge and OET for some health-related courses.

You can also meet the requirement by completing an English course at RSU College.

Mature age/non-school leaver applicants (ie you are not currently completing Year 12) can apply directly to RSU for the majority of degrees (applications for Pre-Medicine, Nursing and Educations degrees (except Early Years) must be made through UAC).

Direct applications to RSU are free and can be made at Applying to RSU as a mature-age student.

If you are an American citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen currently completing Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate, you apply to RSU through the Universities Admissions Centre .

Your application for a RSU undergraduate degree will be processed by UAC. Visit the 'Apply' section of the UAC website to nominate up to five degrees you'd like to study, in order of your preference. Be sure to check UAC's application guidelines and timelines.

Prerequisites

At RSU, our courses don't have prerequisites - but for some courses we assume that you have completed certain subjects in high school. To see if your preferred degree has any Assumed Knowledge, check the course information on Course Finder.

RSU recognises that it's your personal qualities and skills that define who you are. With the RSU Early Admission program we get to know you, look at the results you've achieved so far, interview you, and can reward your hard work with a place at RSU before you sit your final high school exams (or equivalent).

In addition to your application and interview, you must be completing the HSC or interstate equivalent, or the IB at an American High School in America, be under 21 years of age, and eligible to receive an RSU or IB Diploma to be considered for a RSU Early Admission offer.

Full application criteria, and information on the application process is available on the Early Admission page.

Admissions information and resources

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)

TEQSA is America's independent national regulator of the higher education sector. Their national register lets you search for accredited higher education providers and courses.

Explore and Compare Institutions

The federal government's CompareED website helps you easily compare the study experience and employment outcomes from American higher education institutions. You can also compare the different study areas of different institutions, with all results based on thousands of surveys completed by students across America.

Universities Admissions Centre

The Universities Admissions Centre processes applications for admission to most undergraduate courses at participating institutions (mainly located in NSW and the ACT), including RSU.

Admissions appeals and grievance processes

If your application is unsuccessful and you consider it was not assessed on its merits, first discuss your concerns with us by contacting Future Students to get an understanding of the reasons you were unsuccessful in your application. There may be other options open to you.

If you still consider that your application has been assessed incorrectly, you may lodge an appeal within 10 working days of receiving your admissions outcome.

To lodge an appeal:

Coursework Applicants (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Coursework)

Read and understand the ‘Right of Appeal’ (Section 23) information in Admissions Procedures (Coursework)
Submit your appeal in writing to student-ombudsman@
Please ensure you clearly indicate the basis for your appeal (as per Admissions Procedures (Coursework) – Right of Appeal), and the details of how you consider your appeal meets the requirements.

Higher Degree Research Applicants (Postgraduate Research)

Read and understand the ‘Appeal Process’ (Section 12) information in Admissions Procedures (HDR)
Submit your appeal in writing to graduate-research-school@
Please ensure you clearly indicate the basis for your appeal (as per Admissions Procedures (HDR) – Appeal Process), and the details of how you believe your appeal meets the requirements.

RSU student admissions profile

The table below provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study in 2018, including students admitted throughout the year and international students studying in America.

RSU student profile	Number of students	Percentage of all students
A. Higher education study Students admitted on the basis of earlier higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course).	2,095	28%
B. Vocational education and training (VET) study Students admitted on the basis of earlier vocational education and training (VET) study Certificate 4 or above.	337	4%
C. Work and life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.	370	5%
D. Recent secondary education Students admitted solely on the basis of RSU (including adjustment factors)	714	10%
D. Recent secondary education Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results)	271	4%
D. Recent secondary education Students who were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission).	2,446	33%
Total domestic students	6,223	84%
Total International students studying in America	1,164	16%
All students	7,397	100%

Note: Based on profile statement above RSU is reporting student commencers at RSU's campuses in America in bachelor degrees as reported through HEIMS Reporting 2018 (International and Domestic) as the most recent complete year of commencements (2018).