No ATAR? No worries. Your path to Uni starts here

2025-11-27

Finishing school can feel like a whirlwind, especially if you’re waiting on an ATAR or wondering what comes next. For many Year 12 students, questions about prerequisites or unexpected results can add even more pressure. But here’s the good news: you don’t need an ATAR to study at The Gordon, and you certainly don’t need one to reach university.

The Gordon offers clear, stress-free pathways designed to help you move confidently toward your dream career. Our Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas provide hands-on, industry-focused training, giving you practical skills now and the option to transition into university, often with credit (RPL – recognised prior learning) that reduces your time and cost at uni.

Group of students working remotely in a park

In fact, hundreds of students every year use The Gordon as their pathway to a degree with 68 students transitioning to Deakin last year alone showing just how powerful these opportunities are.

Our strong partnership with Deakin University and Torrens University means your goals don’t have to be put on hold.

Having TAFE and university in the same city means you can study close to home, stay connected to your support network, and access clear pathways into a bachelor degree. The Gordon’s partnership with Deakin University reinforces the value of quality local education and opens strong opportunities for your future.

Whether you’re exploring your career options or already focused on a dream profession, The Gordon’s university pathways program helps you get there, all without the pressure of an ATAR.

Pathways from TAFE to University

There are almost endless opportunities to shape your journey. With around 80 guaranteed-entry pathways into 37 Deakin bachelor degrees, you can:

  • continue on in the same discipline to build on your TAFE skills, or
  • pair your diploma with a degree to take your career further.

Popular TAFE to university pathway course areas include:

  • Engineering
  • Nursing
  • Social Work
  • Business/Commerce
  • Building Design/Architecture
  • Arts.

Get ahead faster! 

At The Gordon, your hard work counts. Eligible Diploma and Advanced Diploma graduates receive guaranteed recognition of prior learning (RPL) when they transition to Deakin, meaning you can save time, reduce costs and create a plan to move into your chosen degree.

Some examples of Gordon qualifications leading to RPL at Deakin include:

  • Diploma of Nursing → Bachelor of Nursing
  • Diploma of Community Services → Bachelor of Social Work
  • Diploma of Engineering – Technical → Bachelor of Engineering

A few things to remember when progressing from The Gordon to Deakin:

  • Guaranteed entry and RPL apply only when you complete a Diploma or Advanced Diploma at The Gordon.
  • You have five years to enrol at Deakin after finishing your Gordon qualification.
  • Certificate IV courses don’t meet university admission requirements.

Your journey starts here

If you didn’t get the ATAR you expected, or didn’t receive one at all, your goals are still absolutely within reach. You can begin studying the field you’re passionate about, build hands-on skills and keep doors open to university through our trusted partnership with Deakin University.

Whether you want to explore your options or dive straight into a career pathway, The Gordon is your place to start strong and go further.

Learn more about university pathways