Entry Requirements

Domestic students

ENTRY TO POSTGRADUATE COURSES

Applicants for postgraduate courses must satisfy one of the following entry requirements:

1. Completion of a Bachelor degree or higher in media production or a related creative industries field (obtained within the last 10 years); OR

2. Experience-Based Entry – at least five years of documented relevant work experience related to media production or a related creative industries field, with evidence of artistic ability and achievement or practice comparable to that of undergraduate degree holders in relevant disciplines, combined with the successful completion of Year 12 or higher.

POSTGRADUATE EXPERIENCE-BASED ENTRY SCHEME

SAE recognises that learning may be acquired from both formal study and professional experience. Applicants without a Bachelor degree can apply for Experience-Based Entry into any Graduate Certificate course and, on successful completion, can progress to the Graduate Diploma, Bachelor degree, and Masters.

Please read the section on Experience-Based Entry. For more comprehensive information, go to Section 6.4 of SAE's Student Selection, Admission and Transfer Policy.
Alternatively, phone our friendly Course Advisors on 1800 723 338 or reach out online here: ENQUIRE NOW

Additional postgraduate application requirements:

1. Evidence of qualification

2. CV detailing skills and expertise in media production or a related creative industries field (with web links to online portfolio/showreel if appropriate).

ENTRY TO ASSOCIATE AND BACHELOR DEGREE COURSES

If you want to study for an Associate or Bachelor degree you must satisfy one of the following requirements:

1. Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (your Year 12 certificate) or equivalent; OR
2. Completion of an Australian Diploma level qualification (for example a TAFE Diploma) or higher; OR
3. Experience-Based Entry – for applicants who do not meet the requirements of entry criteria 1 or 2 above. Please read the section below on Experience-Based Entry. 
   Alternatively, phone our friendly Course Advisors on 1800 723 338 or reach out online here: ENQUIRE NOW

ENTRY TO DIPLOMA COURSES (excluding SAE Adelaide)

If you want to study a Diploma course at any campus (except for SAE Adelaide – see entry below), you must satisfy one of the following entry requirements:

1. Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (your Year 12 certificate) or equivalent; OR
2. Completion of a Certificate IV qualification or higher (for example a TAFE Certificate IV); OR

3. Experience-Based Entry – for applicants who do not meet the requirements of entry criteria 1 or 2 above. Please read the section below on Experience-Based Entry.
   Alternatively, phone our friendly Course Advisors on 1800 723 338 or reach out online here: ENQUIRE NOW

ENTRY TO DIPLOMA COURSES (SAE Adelaide)

If you want to study a Diploma course at SAE Adelaide, you must satisfy one of the following entry requirements:

1. Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education at Year 10 level or equivalent; OR
2. Completion of a Certificate IV qualification or higher (for example a TAFE Certificate IV); OR

3. Experience-Based Entry – if options 1 and 2 cannot be met, applicants will be assessed via a combination of Experienced-Based Entry as well as a literacy and numeracy assessment. Please read the section below on Experience-Based Entry.
   Alternatively, phone our friendly Course Advisors on 1800 723 338 or reach out online here: ENQUIRE NOW

ENTRY TO CERTIFICATE COURSES

If you want to study a Certificate course, you must satisfy one of the following entry requirements:

1. Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education at Year 10 level or equivalent; OR
2. Completion of a Certificate II level qualification (for example a TAFE Certificate II); OR 

3. Experience-Based Entry – for applicants who do not meet the requirements of entry criteria 1 or 2 above. Please read the section below on Experience-Based Entry.
   Alternatively, phone our friendly Course Advisors on 1800 723 338 or reach out online here: ENQUIRE NOW 

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING AND CREDIT TRANSFERS

SAE will recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for a VET or a higher-level program. This is applied where previous learning is considered equivalent to the content and learning outcomes prescribed for modules within the program. For full details, please refer to SAE's policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.

HOW TO APPLY AND ENROL

If you have read the entry requirements above, spoken to one of our friendly Course Advisors, and now feel ready to go the next step and apply for a course and enrol in classes, you will find all the information you need at SAE’s application and enrolment section here.

HOW TO APPLY

Experience Based Entry

Whatever your age, your work and life experience count when it comes to entry at SAE. We will consider all your qualifications, studies, employment, and professional experience when you apply to study with us.

The first (and best) thing to do is to phone our Course Advisors for a chat. We can’t stress this enough: contact SAE on 1800 723 338 to check if your qualifications and experience meet the admission criteria for the specific course you want to study. You may be pleasantly surprised that they do! Even if your qualifications fall short, we will suggest what else you will need to do to get into your preferred course.

Our Experience-Based Entry Scheme allows you to be considered for entry to any course based on our assessment of your ability to succeed in higher education.

SAE will consider your application individually if you:

• Are at least 18 years of age (or turning 18 during your first year of study); and
• Do not have the formal qualifications required for direct entry (for example no Year 12 certificate and no TAFE qualifications); and
• Seek admission to a course based on your aptitude for higher learning and skills development through your professional, work, and life experiences, and non-accredited study.

To apply via the Experience-Based Entry pathway, students are required to undertake an interview with SAE and provide supporting evidence that may include:

• Records of any formal educational qualifications attained
• Evidence of any informal studies undertaken
• References relating to work history relevant to the chosen field of study (if applicable)
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• A cover letter
• A portfolio/examples of relevant materials that may demonstrate qualities like creative aptitude, knowledge, technical skills, and abilities, or experience in a creative industries field.

In addition, candidates may also be asked to undertake a numeracy and literacy exam or written assignment to demonstrate their capacity to meet the course requirements.

In all cases, Experience-Based Entry into an SAE course will only be granted to students with a minimum Year 10 level of schooling.

For more information on Experience-Based Entry for a VET Certificate Course, please read the Student Entry Procedures Vocational Education & Training (VET) Courses. Alternatively, phone our friendly Course Advisors on 1800 723 338 or reach out online here: ENQUIRE NOW.

For more information on SAE's Experience Based Entry process, please refer to the Student Selection, Admission and Transfer Policy.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who do not meet the Direct Entry requirements for our courses – whether they are undergraduate or postgraduate courses – are warmly encouraged to discuss their personal circumstances with the SAE admissions team and arrange for an interview. Free call us on 1800 723 338 or reach out online here: ENQUIRE NOW

You may be surprised to find out that your life and work experiences and non-formal study may demonstrate your suitability for entry into SAE courses. 

In addition to our Experience-Based Entry, SAE acknowledges that other factors could also demonstrate your suitability for study. This could include things like your community engagement, volunteering, prior unpaid work history, and family commitments and responsibilities you have shouldered.

Current Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders are also encouraged to apply for our Creative Indigenous Scholarship. (July-October)

International students

International students may be admitted in accordance with Government and SAE’s policies and can apply directly to SAE for admission. International students will be admitted in compliance with the ESOS Act 2000 and its Regulations 2001.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have successfully completed Secondary Studies (High School) and meet English language requirements as outlined below.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

International students have to provide additional evidence of language skills and complete one of the following:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A band score of 6 or higher for an Associate Degree/Bachelor course and 5.5 or higher for a Diploma course (only the Academic Test is accepted), OR

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 60 or higher for an Associate Degree/Bachelor course or 46 (internet-based test) for a Diploma course, OR

• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic score of 54 (or higher) for an Associate Degree/Bachelor, and an Academic score of 46 (or higher) for a vocational education program, OR

• Completion of Year 12 English at an Australian secondary school or college or equivalent with a minimum result of “Satisfactory” or equivalent.

English test scores more than two (2) years old at the time of application will not be accepted

DIPLOMA CERTIFICATE COURSES

SAE does not issue an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) for certificate applications. Part-time courses can only be booked for international students if they have valid entry permission.

For comprehensive International Student Information please click here.