Creative Arts Special Admission Scheme (CASAS)

Secure your place at uni early

Did you know you can apply to get an early offer from the Con before you get your ATAR? If you’ve got the talent and the dedication, we want you.

The Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme offers talented Year 12 students a chance to receive an early offer to study music based on their audition and academic performance in year 11 and 12 so far, prior to getting an ATAR.

Am I eligible to apply?

You must be a domestic student, currently undertaking a recognised Year 12 qualification to apply. All offers will require you to complete your high school qualification. The scheme does not apply to non-recent school leavers.

What music degrees are available under CASAS?

The degrees available under the admissions scheme are: 

The following degrees are not available under CASAS: Bachelor of Music (Music Education) and Bachelor of Music degrees combined with the Bachelor of Advanced Studies.

I am completing the HSC in NSW. How can I apply?

No separate application is needed.

If you are a HSC student in NSW, you must do the following:

Apply to UAC by the relevant August Round 1 or October Round 1 deadline.
List your chosen music degree as your first preference.
Meet the audition/portfolio and interview requirements in the July or September rounds of auditions.

You are encouraged to apply in the July round of auditions (UAC August Round 1) where you will be able to audition live and have a chance to secure an early offer before submitting HSC work or undertaking exams.

For most NSW Year 12 HSC students, no separate application is required, and your Year 11 and 12 results and predicted ATAR will be obtained automatically through UAC by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

What if I am doing a Year 12 qualification other than the HSC?

If you’re undertaking a Year 12 qualification other than the HSC, in addition to the steps above, you will also need to submit your academic results directly to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music through our online audition portal. You must provide your school ratings, year 11 and 12 reports and meet the audition/portfolio and interview requirements by the relevant deadlines.  

Domestic students undertaking the IB in Australia, are eligible for CASAS.
Domestic students undertaking a year 12 qualification in states other than NSW are eligible for CASAS.
International students are not eligible for CASAS.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on your audition /portfolio and interview, plus your academic results from year 11 and 12 so far. Predicted ATAR scores will be obtained by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music through UAC for students sitting the HSC or must be submitted directly if you are an interstate applicant.

What if I do not receive an early offer?

If you are not eligible to receive an early offer, you may still be eligible for an offer in the standard “main round” in December (UAC December Round 2) once your ATAR has been released. Ensure the degree is listed as your first preference in the UAC December Round 2 for another chance to get an offer. All offers will require you to complete Year 12. 

When will CASAS offers be made?

From September UAC Round 1.

What if I want to undertake my chosen degree in combination with the Bachelor of Advanced Studies?

If you’d like to apply to combine your chosen degree with a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies, you can wait until UAC December Round 2 once ATARs have been released and change the degree to your first preference. If you have received a CASAS offer it will remain valid. Alternatively, you can apply to transfer from the single bachelor’s degree into the combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies later in your degree.