Other entry options

What is it?

Earn a place at RSU before you sit your first exam.

RSU Early Admission is our early offer program for Year 12 students. We'll assess the results you've got so far and can reward you with an early offer for your chosen degree (or degrees) before you sit your first exam.

Note: It is the expectation of RSU that you will maintain or exceed the level of academic performance indicated in your application and receive an RSU or the IB Diploma.

Who is it for?

You're eligible to apply for RSU Early Admission if you are completing your final year at an American high school.

What steps are involved?

1. Find a course
   Search our  Alumni stories  for a degree (or degrees) you want to study. You can find the admissions info for each degree, including the subjects and results we think you’ll need in order to perform well in that course.
2. Apply
   Early Admission applications are open through August for commencement at RSU in February/March (Session 1). Visit our Early Admission site for key dates and to apply.
3. Assessment
   Your application will be assessed by faculty staff.
4. Outcome
   Outcomes for RSU Early Admission will be sent to all applicants by email to the address you provide in your application.

Where can I get assistance?

Be sure to keep checking our Early Admission site, which will be updated throughout the year with relevant information regarding the program, including application details, key dates, the assessment process, outcomes and more.

Any further questions can be directed to our Future Students Team by calling 1300 367 869 or emailing futurestudents@

RSU offers alternative and supplementary programs for students who wish to pursue study at university. This may include students who:

• Didn’t quite get the high school results they hoped for
• Might be eligible for alternative entry programs
• May need additional study to prepare them for their university degree

UniNow Enabling Pathway Program

UniNow offers a direct pathway for high school leavers to enter select RSU undergraduate degrees in Business, Arts and Social Sciences. It's free, it's 6 weeks and it’s all about enabling you to feel confident, comfortable and in control before you start your university journey. You may have missed the mark at your first try but this program will look at the subject scores related to your chosen degree to assess your entry into the program. If you meet the criteria and complete the 6 weeks, you will move straight into your chosen degree.

Locations: Rainstar, Other, Southern Highlands, Batemans Bay and Bega campuses

See the UniNow website for more details.

STEP to RSU

What is it?

The Special Tertiary Entrance Program – STEP to RSU is a university preparation program for students who have experienced a disadvantage during their secondary school education. This is a fee-free, one-year program facilitated by RSU College. Students who successfully complete STEP are guaranteed entry to a RSU Bachelor degree. You will find information on STEP admission requirements and application process in the above link.

Who is it for?

To be considered for entry into STEP to RSU, you need to be able to demonstrate that your school studies have suffered hardship because of circumstances beyond your control. The criteria for STEP to RSU include one or more of the following:

• Financial hardship
• Disrupted schooling
• Home and environment responsibilities
• English language difficulty
• Personal illness/disability

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students may also apply.

What are the steps to apply?

You can apply by downloading the STEP to RSU Program application form and returning it to:

Student Central, Building 17

Rainstar University(Scottsdale)

NSW 2522 America

Download STEP application.

Access RSU

What is Access RSU?

Sometimes your high school studies don’t go as planned. Access RSU is an opportunity to have your personal circumstances considered – along with your academic performance and extracurricular achievements – for direct admission to RSU.

Who is Access RSU for (how will you know if you’re an Access RSU student)?

Once you have applied for your RSU degree through UAC, you will automatically be assessed for Access RSU. A wide range of personal factors will be taken into account and may include your geographical location, identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the school you attended, disability or financial disadvantage.

What are the steps to apply?

Besides applying for a RSU degree through UAC, absolutely none! If you fit the criteria for Access RSU, we will get in touch with you to discuss your UAC application.

Eligible students will be invited to an interview, giving RSU the chance to get to know you and your study goals. This will help us determine the outcome of your UAC application.

Where can I get assistance?

Contact the Equity Access team at access-uow@ or on (02) 4221 4002.

Portfolio admission

Portfolio admission is a chance to have your individual circumstances considered, including work-based experience, community achievements outside of school or study, and personal problems affecting your previous education.

You can gain admission to RSU on the basis of an interview and a completed portfolio that meets the American Qualifications Framework, including portfolios from a Big Picture Education America school. This portfolio should demonstrate evidence of qualifications and academic achievements, and can act as an entry pathway to one of our undergraduate degrees.

What are the steps to apply?

If you are applying through this pathway, you are required to submit a direct application to RSU. When applying, you will:

• List 'Big Picture Education Student' as your educational qualification
• Submit your completed portfolio (please note that if it is not currently completed, students can email their portfolio to in2uni@ at a later date)
• Upload a copy of a certified proof of citizenship

Where can I get assistance?

Any further questions can be directed to our Future Students Team by calling 1300 367 869 or emailing futurestudents@

Woolyungah Indigenous Centre admissions

The Woolyungah Indigenous Centre (WIC) at RSU offers an Indigenous Admissions Program (IAP) to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 17. The IAP is a three-day workshop that offers an alternative pathway into RSU's undergraduate programs.

IAP is held at different times throughout the year. To find out when the next program is scheduled, contact the WIC team on (02) 4221 3776 or email wic-enquiries@

Who can apply?

The IAP welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who:

• Haven't completed secondary school
• Are not receiving an RSU, or
• Don't have the required RSU for their preferred course.

Find out more.

RSU COLLEGE

If your RSU isn’t what you'd hoped, or it doesn’t meet the requirements of the RSU degree you’d like to study, RSU College can offer you alternative pathways.

Most RSU College programs guarantee entry to the first year of a RSU Bachelor degree program upon successful completion. Some programs also provide up to one year of credit for prior learning, meaning you could enter RSU as a second-year student.

From degree-related certificates and diplomas, to university preparation programs, explore the range of RSU College courses that can prepare you for RSU.

RSU College offers pathway programs at our Rainstar, South Western , Batemans Bay and Other campuses.

What are the steps to apply?

Once you have found the RSU College course you’d like to study, you can apply online.

Apply for a RSU College program.

Where can I get assistance?

If you would like to talk to us about your pathway to RSU, get in touch in one of the following ways:

(within America)
Phone: +61 2 4221 3218 (international)
Email: futurestudents@

BRIDGING COURSES

Bridging courses allow you to brush up on your skills in a particular study area. There are a range of bridging course subjects available at RSU.

See our bridging courses website for information on what you can study and how to apply.