Hi. podrunner. It's not that Australian universities preferred international students with A levels over Australia's year 12 qualification. Let's take University X as an example. The minimum requirement for Medicine undergraduate with A levels is 15 points [ 3A's for 3 subjects] and to get 3A's are all depends on your effort during examinations. As long as you have 3A's or points that fulfill the minimum requirement, you're eligible to get an offer. For someone who holds an Australian year 12 qualification, he/she has to achieve the cut-off of let's say ATAR 98. Again, to get 98 means you have to be the top 2%. The problem with Australian year 12 qualification is that your final results are always unpredictable, depending on the entire batch's performance. To get A's in all subjects does not guarantee you to be in top 2%, assuming majority of the students are doing really well and vice versa. That's why most of my friends from the college who're pursuing for medicine in future would rather spend another 6 months sitting A-lvls exams. Australian year 12 qualification is good in developing soft skills and if you want a quick transition to universities. But as a former Aussie year 12 student, I seriously wouldn't recommend this for prospective lawyers, physiotherapist, doctors, dentists and any other courses that requires high-end 90's atar.

I hope that pretty much explains everything. It's all about eligibility. =D

Yeah sure. The link given below is a rough idea on your position in a specific year. This calculator [WACE] counts your best 4 subjects. Assume if you have 80 marks [A] in each subject, 4 subjects will total up to 320. Insert 320 and click calculate for your Atar. Try out a few previous years ago, especially 2007. You'll see the difference. A slight decimal points from the cut-off will reduce to no chances in enrolling the course of your choice.

Atar/TER Calculator

Another link shows the entry requirements for one of Go8 universities. UQ. Do take note on Pharmacy and other great professional courses.
Entry requirements

and International [including A-lvls].

For the second link, you may refer Tertiary Entrance Ranking 2010 for the replacement of Atar if I'm not mistaken, OP for Queensland year 12 holders.

I guess all Australian year 12 qualification holders are treated equally in terms of entry requirements regardless if you're PR, local or international. Not much of difference. OP holders have slightly higher requirements in order to standardise the level of education since every Australian state has different allocation of marks and certain differences in syllabus content.

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Added on February 8, 2011, 5:14 pmAgreed.

This post has been edited by immabee: Feb 8 2011, 05:14 PM

Don't mind dropping such a dumb question. For all these years you guys have been going in and out from Australia, what food have you guys declared and brought in to Australia safely? =D

You sure? Even made in Malaysia milo? Love Malaysian milo version better.

. What you meant Chinese medicine are dry herbs such as dong guai, red dates, American ginseng etc? Salted fish and ikan bilis they also let? Unbelievable



Phew at least my mom doesn't need to worry. It will be alright as long as we tick declare right? Do you guys have gone through any treatment on your food products by the customs? How about biscuits? I believe they also do contain dairy milk.

Wow. So how's urbanest?

What do you guys think of Virgin Mobile, in terms of services and coverage [Perth]. Has anyone use this particular service so far?

Hahahaha. Just touched down to Perth not long ago. Got me quite a shock as I saw the city is even smaller than several Malaysia cities except KL though they have scattered suburbs and really quiet at late night. Needs time to get used with it. I understand how it feels to have the boredom. Was a bit moody area and clearly I have observed what you've just said. It's so true! Was not used with the chinese food here due to the portion and the way they prepared theirs, quite heavy. However, that's not the main purpose to come over to Perth. For my first impression, it's not really the place to be. But you'll never know. Let's just see what happens within a year. I'll keep you guys updated if I've the time. . Sry if you have spent few minutes of your life reading nonsense.

Whoa. I thought you have to go study?

UWA. U there too?

Oh my. Heard that bunch of whining birds making so much noise. Fattest birds that fly. Seagulls hanging around in da city. No doubt it's quite ulu here xD.

Aww man. Why are you leaving so quick xD. UWA is pretty good and good to hangout in ESP if you have friends. Met heaps of asians and ppl like Tom, d*** and Harry and myself take commerce mainly in A&F. *Faints*.

Not to mention anything but to bring back an additional support for my statement today I came across with 2 Singaporeans in conversation while waiting for my turn for enrolment this early morning.

A: So... why you're here btw? Not going NUS?
B: Can't make it although I've appealed. Got a terrible result. Straight B's and a D How about you?
A: Also bad result.

Starting to have doubts on the effort I've exerted. Apparently, people with A-lvl results can get into Aussie universities easily while students like us going for Australian year 12 qualification have a rough time to be eligible to be in top universities today. Year 12 Aussie competition for top universities is stiff. To get into a certain top % in a particular course is tough whereas A-lvl students can get A's as long as they deserve it. If you're an A-lvl student and wishes to gain an entry into any of these universities in Australia, maybe except for Uni Melbourne etc, as long as you do decently in your exams, the doors are always open.

Don't blame me if I over-emphasize. It's an add on btw.

This post has been edited by immabee: Feb 18 2011, 09:22 PM

AFAIK, aab may work in universities other than University of Melbourne, UNSW, Syd and Queensland. But I seriously agree with atar of 98 and also good isat results.

Mind to tell me why. Don't mind if you can pm me. =D

Perth's weather is drying me crazy. As I have asked a few individuals about summer in Perth, they would see this time was one of the hottest summers ever. Thought my uni library would have air-conditioners everywhere as they wouldn't really need to use during spring, autumn and especially winter. But then, not that much.. just room temperature. Hoping to see some changes in season in days to come. =D

Hey guys, am back. Fully settled down. Anyway, back to the topic. In my case, my university provides us a list of approved calculators. After that, you'll have to go to your respective faculty receptionist to request for a calculator approval sticker. Which means, you are not allow to use or bring any approve calculator without that sticker. Not to worry, the sticker is free.

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Added on March 13, 2011, 12:48 pmHave you thought of environmental factors? Those are main factors that will make you feel comfortable and equipped throughout your study.

This post has been edited by immabee: Mar 13 2011, 12:48 PM

Try ask those seniors who have studied there who's more likely have same attribute as you.

As I like to live in vibrant cities, the least vibrant city I can bear with is KK. Anyway, from my personal point of view, it was really boring. My last visit was 2006. Wasn't my type though. When we reached the city, it looks like as if we're in a suburb/town. Nothing much good places to visit, maybe that's because of my perception. Once woke up early and as I looked across the window, no one does jogging, no kids cycling, no one walks the dog, probably due to cold temperatures. I can guarantee the most lively place in Canberra afaik, is the university during the day. Not many cars around the roads at night and the streets go way dimmer than Perth [Perth's quite dark already for the street I'm living in near UWA]. It's more family orientated there and so far I have not heard any good reviews from my friends who studied there. It's totally different if you have your relatives as you guys always hangout together. Still I would say it's a great place if you're an all time anti-social, retiree, not that keen on outings or entertainment, family-orientated or you would just want to focus in your studies and forget bout the rest in the world that could actually make your life slightly interesting. It depends where you're from too. If you came out from a small town/village, that should be alright.

This post is totally bias but hope it helps.

This post has been edited by immabee: Mar 17 2011, 10:13 PM

If I'm not mistaken, it's February and July.

Same here. Interested to hear.

Perth has become quite chilly for these few days except for today as some Aussies called it the 'actual autumn'. Huge differential of temperature >.<. H8 it when it rains along with the strong breeze blowing in a temperature about 19 degrees? Today's puffect!. Anyway, I just couldn't understand the fact how Aussies and my uni seniors can bear with the cold, still wearing t-shirts and shorts. They're probably immune to something. And finally, my uni UWA has released an advertisement. A boring & non-convincing advertisement but I guess it doesn't matter if you watch it or not. So to any future students who would like to come over and begin their degree or undertake a summer program/transfers/ and cross-institutional, just drop by and ask. The interaction seemed to slow down. Yeap mid sem exams this weekend. Not good.

I'm jealous of your weather now. But still, it's cold at night right?