If you’re a high school student preparing to start uni, you’ll know VTAC preferences are paramount when it comes to studying something you love.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about preferences, how and when to change them, or how to access support and advice – you’re in the right place.

On this page you’ll find:

What is Change of Preference?

Between August and February, there are various periods when you’ll be able to select and arrange your ultimate shortlist of dream uni courses – also known as your VTAC preferences.

The window just after your ATAR and Year 12 results are released is a crucial Change of Preference period. This is your opportunity to make changes to your eight preferences for the main offer round in December.

You might want to tweak your preferences because your results were better than expected, you're considering alternative pathways to a degree, or just because you’ve changed your mind.

This is why you’ll be invited onto Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus during the Change of Preference period for advice on courses, pre-requisites and your VTAC preferences.

How Change of Preference works

  • Step 1: Submit your preferences

    Part of applying to uni as a Year 12 student involves submitting your preferred courses via VTAC in the order of most-preferred to least-preferred.

    Once your preferences are submitted, you can then use the various windows throughout December, January and February to alter your list if you need to.

  • Step 2: Your results are released

    Once your Year 12 results are released in December, you can evaluate your options.

    Perhaps you did better than expected. You might be considering different pathways to your dream degree. Or maybe you’ve just had a change of heart. Here’s your first shot at rethinking your list.

  • Step 3: Visit Swinburne for expert and tailored advice

    During the Change of Preference period, you’ll be invited to Swinburne’s Change of Preference Expo to access straightforward course and preference advice.

  • Step 4: And now we wait – for offers

    Enjoy a hard-earned holiday break knowing your preferences are resembling your uni goals and wait until the offers roll in, beginning with the December offer round.

    If you find that you’re still wanting to swap things in and out or up and down your list, there will be more opportunities to change your preferences throughout the January and February offer rounds.

ATAR Calculator

Want to know where your Year 12 results could take you? Just enter the score you’re aiming for – or thereabouts – and the ATAR Calculator will show the Swinburne courses available to you.

Try it

Why choose Swinburne?

Swinburne students have completed placements at Pfizer, Zoos Victoria and The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing as part of their Work Integrated Learning

Our graduates are Oscar-nominated, Nobel Peace Prize-winning, and Untitled Goose Game-creating

You’ll have access to tailored support at Swinburne, including Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, disability support and more

Year 11 & 12 Hub

Want to know how pathways work? Want the rundown on scholarships and supports available to Swinburne students, or how to book a one-on-one appointment or a campus tour?

Head to our Year 11 & 12 Hub, the home of everything you need to know as a high school student preparing to transition into uni.

Visit the Year 11 & 12 hub

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