In New South Wales, can home schooled children go to university?

Yes, home schooled children in New South Wales (NSW) can go to university. Open Universities Australia have made it easy for students of all ages to gain access to university courses. Incredibly, they will consider students as young as thirteen! The eligibility requirements for home schoolers to enter university in NSW are similar to those for traditionally schooled students. To gain admission, homeschooled students typically need to:

·         Apply to Open Universities Australia and complete a 13-week tertiary preparation course  OR

·         Submit a portfolio of work or other evidence of their academic abilities OR

·         Attend an interview to demonstrate readiness for university-level studies OR

·         Complete Year 12 via distance education, TAFE or mainstream school OR

·         Complete an equivalent qualification OR

·         Complete a standardised test like the STAT test (Special Tertiary Admissions Test) to receive an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) equivalent

It's essential for home schooled students and their parents or guardians to research the specific entry requirements of the universities they are interested in attending, as these requirements can vary between institutions and programs. Contacting the admissions offices of the universities for guidance and information on their home schooling admission policies can be beneficial. With the right qualifications and preparation, home schooled students in NSW can certainly pursue higher education at universities and often, they can do it a whole lot earlier than their mainstream peers.