About award courses
A TAFE SA award course comprises a structured sequence of study units or subjects, which, when successfully completed, entitle the student to a qualification or award.
TAFE SA offers award courses that range from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma and Degree. Many awards are nested, meaning that the lower level certificate is incorporated into the one above. This allows students to complete the required certificates in sequence and progress through to the higher level awards.
For example, upon completion of a certificate-level course, a student is generally allowed direct entry to the next level. Alternatively, students who meet the requirements and enter a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Degree-level course, may be allowed to exit that course early with a lower level qualification.
Minimum entry requirements
Before applying for a course, it is essential that applicants meet the minimum entry requirements for their chosen course.
All award courses require applicants to be:
In addition, entry requirements vary according to the level of qualification obtained.
Minimum entry requirements for:
Application process
All applications for TAFE SA award courses are to be made via SATAC via its online TAFE SA admissions book, TAFEWeb.
Applications open in the months before classes begin. Generally, applications open in August for courses that begin the following February; applications open in April for courses that begin in July.
Refer to the list of important dates for the current or next enrolment period.
To apply, visit satac.edu.au and follow the link to the TAFE section of the website. TAFEWeb contains information on courses as well as helpful information regarding the application process.
After applying via TAFEWeb, users can log back in to
- check or change preferences
- check or change contact details
- check or respond to an offer
- check the status of an application at the time of the main offer round
- pay any outstanding fees.
Selection process
Selection for courses is based on the above minimum entry requirements. Applicants who meet these requirements will be eligible for a course.
However, if the number of applicants applying is greater than the number of places available, applicants will be scored against the selection criteria and ranked accordingly.
Selection cohorts
Also, applicants will be assessed and ranked against other applicants in the same cohort, that is: school-qualified applicants, post-school applicants and TABS and STAT applicants.
Applicants can be in more than one cohort, giving them multiple chances of being selected.
Offers will generally be made on a proportional basis; eg if 20% of applications for a course are from school result cohort, 20% of offers will be made to this cohort.
Enrolment
When offers are made through SATAC, recipients are advised of enrolment dates for their course.
Enrolments are held at various times of the year depending on when the selection process for a particular course is held. The enrolment process involves filling out an enrolment form and paying the appropriate fees.
At the enrolment stage, applicants should ensure they have received general information on:
Applicants should also ensure they have read information specific to their course, such as:
- the accreditation status of the course
- start date and length of the course
- time commitment involved in the training
- qualification/certification to be issued on satisfactory completion or partial completion
- study requirements
- articulation arrangements
- expected employment outcomes
- assessment expectations
- detailed costs.
For further information, students can view their
course page or contact the course coodinator or a student services officer at their
campus.