Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
News

Jump in demand from non-school leavers to study at UQ

14 January 2021
Group of students talking at UQ.

More than 9500 prospective students have now been offered places to study at The University of Queensland in 2021.

Email offers were sent to 4073 students today in the latest Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) round.

In the first year Queensland school leavers received ATAR scores, the average for UQ admissions was 91.8, again making UQ the destination of choice for the state’s high achievers.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright congratulated those who have received offers, including a larger than normal cohort of non-school leavers.

“There has been particularly strong interest this year from people turning to study to enhance their career prospects,” Professor Wright said.

“UQ’s first preferences from non-school leavers were 12 per cent higher than last year.

“We’re also experiencing higher acceptance rates than normal as fewer students take a gap year to travel.”

Professor Tracy Humphrey, Head of the UQ School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, said increased interest in health programs was encouraging.

“As we have seen in other countries, COVID-19 has the potential to place tremendous pressure on the health workforce,” Professor Humphrey said.

“UQ is committed to playing a critical part in educating and training exceptional health workers alongside our industry partners and we’re proud to welcome those students keen to take up the challenge.”

Alongside Nursing and Midwifery, there has been demand for Engineering, Law, Computer Science and Psychological Science this year.

The University will continue to accept applications and changes of preference for many courses in ‘top up’ offer rounds. 

Information about UQ course vacancies is available from the QTAC website.

Related articles

A group of people stand outdoors holding handmade climate protest signs made from cardboard and poster board. Visible messages include “Our House Is on Fire!”, “There is No Planet B,” “System Change Not Climate Change,” “Evidence Over Ignorance!,” and a green sign featuring a melting Earth illustration. The protesters are arranged in a row against a pale sky, with buildings and trees visible in the background. The signs use bold hand-drawn lettering and Earth-themed artwork to advocate for action on climate
Analysis

What makes a winning environmental campaign? We studied six decades of activism to find out

Before the High Court handed down its recent controversial decision on the proposed expansion of a New South Wales coal mine, many environmentalists were bracing for a loss. Time and again, courts have given coal and gas projects the green light over environmental concerns.
29 October 2026
A student sits at the base of a tree in the Great Court, reading on their laptop

Doping Control Officer course delivered for first time in Australia

For the first time in Australia, the International Testing Agency's (ITA) Doping Control Officer (DCO) training course has been delivered at The University of Queensland, training prospective officials responsible for conducting athlete drug testing and protecting the integrity of sport.
26 October 2026

Media contact

Subscribe to UQ News

Get the latest from our newsroom.