13 October 1999

Early data shows UQ scores highest QTAC first preferences

The University of Queensland continues to lead the State in gaining the highest number of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) first preference applications for places at tertiary institutions.

Preliminary QTAC data for 2000 show UQ is still the most preferred institution among school leavers.

Data as of October 12, 1999 one of the first available review opportunities, indicate that the University has 11,354 first preference applications, or 24.04 percent of the total first preferences and 37,728 all preferences. This data includes all on-time applications.

The University's first preference applications are about 1100 higher than its nearest competitor.

One regional university, James Cook University, which is offering a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery for the first time in 2000, received an extraordinary number of applications for 60 places in that course.

The University's high-tech and heritage new UQ Ipswich campus proved popular with QTAC applicants, attracting 467 first preferences and 3699 total preferences.

The total number of school-leaver applicants is around 1000 more than at the same time last year. However, as a percentage of the total number of applications, about the same number of Year 12s have applied with this year's total being 55.6 percent compared to last year's 55.9 percent.

The increase in the total number of applicants by 2132 may be due to a number of factors including the number of new institutions now offering courses through QTAC.

The main QTAC offers for 2000 admissions will be made on Friday, January 14, 2000 (the major offer round); and Wednesday, February 2, 2000 (final offer round). The data are still subject to considerable fluctuation with the lodgement of late applications. In addition, all applicants can change their preferences by telephone as often as they like until the first week in January 2000.

For further information, contact Meredith Jackson, Director Marketing and Communications 0413 458 317.