Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) - Undergraduate Admission One-Way Offers and Eligibility Criteria

Sep 5, 2026

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Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) enables NSW/ACT schools to submit early one-way offers for selected undergraduate places to Year 12 students, based on criteria beyond ATAR and, in some cases, without requiring ATAR for unconditional offers. SRS is administered by UAC for partner universities and may be conditional on meeting minimum ATAR and prerequisite subjects. Eligibility includes appropriate Year 12 study status, UAC course application, citizenship or permanent residency categories, and Merici College application requirements, with student rating based on academic performance, attendance, subject standing, effort and behaviour, commitment, and AST attendance. Applications follow a two-stage process via Merici Careers coordination then the UAC website. The policy is approved by Merici Executive with implementation July 2017 and updates through July 2022.

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Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS)

Purpose and administration

Offer types and key eligibility criteria

Student rating criteria and marginal review

Application process (two stages)

Policy approval and update information

Nil Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) is one-way institutions make early offers of undergraduate admission to Year 12 students, using criteria other than (or in addition to) the ATAR. The Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) provides students with an opportunity to secure an offer to selected universities if recommended by your school for admission to university. The scheme is administered by the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) on behalf of NSW/ACT universities. This scheme enables schools to nominate students for entry into a given course within the University by rating the student's personal aptitudes including their capacity for tertiary study. Not all undergraduate courses are open to entry via the SRS. More information about SRS and the full list of courses is available on the universities website. SRS offers can be either conditional (based on ATAR) or unconditional. Conditional Offers will be conditional on gaining a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), provided that students have also completed any relevant prerequisite subjects or additional selection criteria. Unconditional offers means that students don’t need an ATAR to apply for SRS. Merici College determines the unconditional offers based on a range of criteria. To be eligible for the SRS students must meet the following criteria: • Be attempting an Australian Year 12 qualification or International Baccalaureate • A UAC applicant for an undergraduate course • An Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident or hold a permanent resident humanitarian visa. • Merici College application criteria All of the following criteria is used to rate potential students for SRS: 1. C Grade average in academic package (T or A) 2. Good attendance record 3. No Voiding of subjects 4. High standards of effort & behaviour in class based on semester report 5. Commitment to College 6. Attendance at AST sessions Marginal: IfATAR estimate at the end of semester 3 is below 50 or in low 50s, the applicant will need additional review and planning for their final semester to be eligible for a School Recommendation. This could include a meeting with parents/guardians to determine targets for term 3 assessment or consideration of other pathways to university. Note: The SRS application is based on ATAR estimate only. The final ATAR may be subject to change. The process of applying for SRS application is a two-stage process: 1. Students must submit a Merici College application to Careers Coordinator which requires student to identify their leadership roles and community service etc. Additional documentation required includes copies of most recent semester report & BSSS report 2. After the Merici College application has been submitted, students are then required to return to the UAC website and apply for the SRS. The College will rate the student on their capacity for tertiary study after both steps have been completed by the student. Approved by: Merici Executive Implementation Date: July 2017 Policy last Updated: July 2022 Merici Contact Officer: Deputy Principal Development

FAQs

What is the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) and who runs it?

SRS is a pathway where schools can nominate Year 12 students for selected undergraduate course entry. The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) administers it on behalf of NSW/ACT universities.

What is the difference between conditional and unconditional SRS offers?

Conditional offers require students to meet a minimum ATAR and complete relevant prerequisite subjects or additional selection criteria. Unconditional offers do not require an ATAR, and the college determines these based on a range of criteria.

What criteria and rating factors are used to assess students for SRS?

Students must be attempting an Australian Year 12 qualification or International Baccalaureate, apply via UAC for an undergraduate course, and meet citizenship/permanent residency requirements plus Merici College application criteria. Rating factors include academic grade average, attendance, no voiding of subjects, effort and behaviour, commitment to college, and attendance at AST sessions.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Finn