What qualifications do I require to be accepted as a mature age student or Non-Current School Leaver (CSLX)?

How do I prepare my personal statement?

How is my application processed?

What can I do to maximise my chances?

Do I need to speak or understand the Chinese language?

Will I receive recognition of prior learning (RPL)?

Can I transfer from another TCM course at another university/institution and what advanced standing will I receive?

How do I claim Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

How do I apply as a non-award student?

I don’t wish to enrol as a non-award student. Are there subjects I can do in another course and use for RPL in a later application?

Can I apply or start the course in second semester?

What qualifications do I require to be accepted as a mature age student or Non Current School Leaver (CSLX)?

Non current school leavers must have successfully completed the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent studies (eg TAFE accredited Associate Diploma) to apply to the TCM course. You MUST also complete a personal statement.

How do I prepare my personal statement?

It is vital that you download the cover sheet and guidelines for submitting personal statements www.uts.edu.au/study/undergrad.html. UAC applications from mature age students that do not include a personal statement will not be processed.

You should note that the address for submitting the personal statement is to UTS directly, as stated on the application form.

For more information outlining the criteria you should address in your statement, you can download the .

How is my application processed?

Approximately 40 places are offered to individuals annually. The processing of your application differs depending on your status as a current school leaver (CSL ? completed HSC in the year before commencing TCM) or non current school leaver (CSLX). Current school leavers that attain a mark higher than the University Admission Index (UAI) cut-off are normally offered a place. For last year’s UAI refer to the UAC web site www.uac.edu.au.

Non current school leavers must supply a personal statement in addition to their UAC application. Three members of staff grade your personal statement. These marks are then combined with your nominal UAI determined by UAC. The totals are averaged to give a score out of 100 and then ranked. The number of places offered to CSLX depends on the number of CSL applicants with a suitable UAI that take up an offer. TCM student cohorts are normally around 20 to 30% current school leavers and 80 to 70% mature age applicants.

What can I do to maximise my chances?

Current school leavers need to obtain the required UAI for entry. In this respect, it does not really matter which subjects you study in your HSC, as long as your overall UAI is high enough. For last years TCM UAI go to www.uac.edu.au.

Non current school leavers (CSLX) should address the criteria set out in the personal statement guideless in as brief and effective manner as possible.

There are no preparatory courses or subjects recommended. If your application is unsuccessful in the current year, you may wish to study in associated alternative health areas at various private colleges. It is recommended that any course you undertake be accredited by TAFE or the Vocational Education and Training and Accreditation Board (VETAB). Further information may be found through VETAB. Alternately, you may choose to study UTS TCM subjects as a non-award student (refer to FAQ ? How do I apply as a non-award student). These activities may stand you in good stead in future applications, but WILL NOT guarantee future success as the application process is highly competitive.

Do I need to speak or understand the Chinese language?

No, you are not required to speak or understand the Chinese language. All course material is delivered in English. Some Chinese characters and terminology are introduced into the course material, but at a basic level. You may find it helpful or of personal interest to further your studies in Chinese language. UTS does offer a double degree in TCM/International Studies. Students who maintain a credit average can elect to enrol in the double degree program at the end of their second year. The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies has a major in Chinese Language and Culture and includes a one-year, in China, training program concentrating on language studies. A minor component of TCM hospital training is also included.

Do I need to speak or understand the Chinese language?

No, you are not required to speak or understand the Chinese language. All course material is delivered in English. Some Chinese characters and terminology are introduced into the course material, but at a basic level. You may find it helpful or of personal interest to further your studies in Chinese language. UTS does offer a double degree in TCM/International Studies. Students who maintain a credit average can elect to enrol in the double degree program at the end of their second year. The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies has a major in Chinese Language and Culture and includes a one-year, in China, training program concentrating on language studies. A minor component of TCM hospital training is also included.

Will I receive recognition of prior learning (RPL)?

RPL is awarded on a case-by-case basis. RPL may take the form of an entire subject exemption where equivalency is established, or partial (academic) exemption from components of a subject.

RPL claims are normally examined after a student has enrolled within the course, at no cost to the student. Individuals wishing to process RPL claims prior to enrolment may be subject to consultancy fees (as set from time to time by UTS).

Can I transfer from another TCM course at another university/institution and what advanced standing will I receive?

Students wishing to transfer from other institutions are required to follow normal UAC procedures. That is, apply via UAC and if classified as a CSLX, submit a personal statement. If your application is successful, you may apply for recognition of prior learning. UTS is governed by rules regarding the extent to which RPL is granted. At the moment, UTS allows up to 75% credit transfer. The amount of credit transfer permissible changes from time to time. You should seek advice from the TCM course director about the amount of RPL that will be allowed in your particular case.

How do I claim Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

To make a claim for RPL, individuals should supply as much documentation relating to their claim as possible. This will normally include originals or certified copies of previous awards, transcripts of results, and subject outlines of the material covered in a previous course. Where this documentation is not complete, full exemptions may not be granted. This material should be supplied to the co-ordinator of the subject for which the individual is seeking exemption.

Individuals applying for RPL should not assume that they will receive full subject exemptions. Often the structure of the UTS course and subject content differ from subjects offered by other institutions. This will often result in only partial (academic) exemptions.

The best thing to do is to wait until you are enrolled and speak to the subject co-ordinators for which you are seeking exemptions.

How do I apply as a non-award student?

In certain circumstances, you may wish to apply to complete a number of subjects on a non-award basis. This means that the individual will complete all subject assessments and participate in all subject activities. They will receive a result for the subject, but will not receive an award or testamur on completion. If you subsequently apply to the TCM course and are accepted, you may seek exemption from those non-award subjects that you have passed. Completion of non-award subjects will NOT guarantee a successful subsequent application to the TCM course. It does, however, stand your application in good stead, particularly if you have performed well within the subject. All non-award subjects are full fee paying. Fees are based on the number of credit points the subject is worth. Fees and application forms for non-award study can be downloaded from www.uts.edu.au/study/fees.html#fees.

I don’t wish to enrol as a non-award student. Are there subjects I can do in another course and use for RPL in a later application?

TCM subjects are highly specialised and the structure of the UTS TCM subjects often makes RPL a difficult process. Students enrolled in other course may have options to study Western medical sciences and then seek RPL. Again, there are difficulties here as the health sciences for TCM have been specially developed by UTS and follow a non-conventional structure. If you wish to study Western health sciences in an attempt to later gain RPL for these subjects, you should first contact Jennifer.Wyndham@uts.edu.au or David.vanReyk@uts.edu.au.