After years of hard work and COVID interruptions, more than 1,600 students will receive offers from La Trobe University as part of the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) January offer round, bringing the total offers - including November and December offer rounds - to 6,471.
The University has increased the number of recent school leavers receiving a VTAC offer by 20 per cent compared to 2022.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, congratulated all students commencing this year, and said they had shown great determination under difficult circumstances.
"The final years of secondary school are always challenging, but this year's cohort have had to contend with extra complications due to the pandemic - including adapting to online learning," Professor Dewar said.
"They have shown great resilience and flexibility in achieving their results, which is a tribute to them and their families and supporters."
Professor Dewar said the University was also looking forward to welcoming many international students, with numbers on track to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, and that the strong interest in regional campuses was particularly pleasing.
"With post-study work rights and other incentives such as Destination Australia, many international students are choosing to study at our regional campuses, where they can receive a world-class education while enjoying the regional lifestyle," Professor Dewar said.
"It's wonderful to see our campuses reinvigorated, and the social and cultural contribution our international students make to campus life."
Professor Dewar said the University was committed to supporting both school leavers and non-school leavers who wanted to pursue higher education.
"In addition to VTAC offers, La Trobe has made many offers to direct applicants and those wishing to return to study, undertake a degree as a mature age student or re-train in a new discipline," Professor Dewar said.
"As well as degree programs, diplomas and graduate certificates are providing pathways into new careers for people at all stages of life."
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional), Associate Professor Melanie Bish, said it was wonderful to see students choosing La Trobe's regional campuses for their studies.
"We are delighted to see strong interest from rural and regional students who want to study locally, as we know many of these skilled graduates will stay in the regions and contribute to local communities in areas such as health and education," Associate Professor Bish said.
"We are committed to ensuring better equity and access to higher education, and continuing to work hand-in-hand with regional communities to address workforce needs and undertake vital research."
As part of La Trobe offers to students via VTAC in the November to January period:
- The largest number of offers made were in nursing, health sciences, business, arts, science, biomedicine, psychological science, sport and exercise science.
- La Trobe has also seen another year of strongly increased demand for its IT degrees and diplomas including computer science, information technology and cybersecurity.
- Amongst school leavers, La Trobe continues to be the most popular institution of choice for physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
The University continues to offer a wide range of pathways into its degree programs, such as the recently streamlined Aspire program, which recognises more than just a student's ATAR when considering their university application.
