09 Dec 2024
Media releases
University preferences for 2025
THE 91ÌÒÉ« Admissions Centre (91ÌÒÉ«) has released a snapshot of applicants’ preferences for university study in 2025.
The accompanying table provides an overview of applicants’ preferences as of 30 November 2024. However, it’s important to note that applicants frequently revise their choices, meaning these figures are subject to change daily.
While first preferences offer some insight into demand, caution is advised when using these numbers to gauge interest in a specific institution or to compare perceived quality among universities.
Year 12 applicants tend to list the maximum of five preferences. In many cases the courses they include as their first and second preferences reflect aspirational goals – courses they would really like to receive an offer for, but which have a higher cut-off than the rank they expect to achieve.
Non-Year 12 applicants tend to list fewer preferences, often only two or three preferences, demonstrating a more focused approach. Factors such as work, family and time commitments often play a significant role in their decision-making process.
All applicants can change their preferences at any time but preference changes peak following the release of the ATAR. This year, NSW HSC students will receive their ATARs at 9am on Wednesday 18 December. Historically, 91ÌÒÉ« expects about 20,000 students to change their preferences after receiving their ATAR, aligning their choices more realistically with the courses for which they may qualify.
When comparing preference statistics across universities, it’s important to consider institutional size. Larger metropolitan universities attract a greater number of applications compared to smaller regional universities.
For a detailed breakdown, download the preference statistics for 2025 admissions*
For further information, call the institutions on the numbers listed below.
| University | Contact |
|---|---|
| Australian Catholic University | Louise Crossen |
| Australian National University | Jess Fagan Media Manager 02 6125 7979 jessica.fagan@anu.edu.au Media and Communications team media@anu.edu.au |
| Charles Sturt University | David Neil Media Manager 0407 332 718 dneil@csu.edu.au |
| Macquarie University | Media Unit |
| Southern Cross University | Sharlene King, Media Officer sharlene.king@scu.edu.au 0429 661 349 Media unit scumedia@scu.edu.au |
| University of Canberra | Reshma Jayesh 0408 826 362 ucmedia@canberra.edu.au |
| University of New England | Media unit (02) 6773 2551 media@une.edu.au |
| University of Newcastle | Communications and Media 0438 837 166 media@newcastle.edu.au |
| University of Sydney | Media Office (02) 8627 0246 (diverts to mobile) media.office@sydney.edu.au |
| University of Technology Sydney | Newsroom 0419 293 261 newsroom@uts.edu.au |
| University of Wollongong | Ben Long, Media & Public Relations Manager 0429 294 251 media@uow.edu.au |
| UNSW Australia | Larissa Baiocchi Head of Communications 0452 229 349 l.baiocchi@unsw.edu.au Media and Communications 02 9386 2864 media@unsw.edu.au |
| Western Sydney University | Media Unit 0461 393 416 media@westernsydney.edu.au |
* Preference statistics only include 91ÌÒÉ« participating universities with their main campus in NSW and the ACT. Private higher education providers are not included.
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For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:
Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, 91ÌÒÉ« on 0436 459 603, or
Kim Paino, Interim Management Director, 91ÌÒÉ« on 0409 155 112.