The UNSW experience as a non-school leaver
Making the transition from high school to working life and then uni full time? There's space for every journey at UNSW.
Hear from current student, Jacob Cannataci, on his non-school leaver experience at UNSW.Ìý
Wondering what it’s like to wait before starting uni? Well, my high school to UNSW experience was one of learning, growth, change and being open to new possibilities. Taking time after high school to explore yourself and your career opportunities before stepping into university studies can be daunting but it's most certainly not impossible and I'm here to tell you why.
Why didn’t you head to uni straight after Year 12?
It wasn't a conscious decision, but more a reflection of my environment and upbringing. Growing up in a family of those who only finished year 10 and living in a low socioeconomic area, university wasn’t something that was seen as an attainable option for myself.
In my mind, university was for people who were incredibly smart and destined to be lawyers, doctors, or engineers. I didn’t fully understand the range of opportunities it offered as a 17 year old.
Did you take a gap year? What did you get up to?
After Year 12, I went straight into TAFE, where I completed a Certificate III and then a Diploma in Screen Production. During that time, I made great friends and began to figure out that I had a passion for creating content, particularly through video.
However, the pandemic hit and by the time I turned 19, opportunities in content production, marketing and media had dried up. I shifted into retail, eventually working in sales, which helped me discover more about myself and gain a sense of direction.
At 20, in the midst of COVID shutting everything down, I realised I wanted more out of life. I started researching how further education could help me achieve my goals. I initially enrolled in an undergraduate business degree, thinking it was the right path, but quickly found it wasn’t for me. It was very statistical, full of mathematics and lacked the creative elements I was used to from my diploma.
"TAFE is a fantastic option if you want to get into university without worrying too heavily about your HSC results, my diploma gave me a score of 80 within the selection rank, as someone who left high school without an ATAR at all, I had no idea that my Diploma gave me this advantage."
Explore our TAFE Pathways Program. Your TAFE qualification could help facilitate your path to an undergraduate degree.
What made you choose UNSW?
Reputation and employability
I chose UNSW because of its excellent reputation, not just in Australia but globally. When I attended Open Day, I was immediately drawn to their Media program. Along with this, UNSW is ranked #1 in Australia for employment outcomes* and #1 for median graduate salaries in the Go8^. This was a major factor in my choice to attend UNSW in comparison to other universities — I wasn't just looking for a university to get my degree, but to help me set up my future career.Ìý
Degree customisation
I wanted a degree that wouldn’t box me in — something flexible that would allow me to explore different areas like marketing, advertising, journalism and communications. UNSW’s Bachelor of Media offered me exactly that.ÌýTheir program structure allowed me to tailor my degree to give me a solid foundation in the creative and strategic aspects of advertising, public relations and media content production.
*QS World University Rankings, 2025
^QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (medium-term), 2022
How do you think starting uni as a non-recent school leaver has influenced your uni experience?Â
Starting my degree at 21 in 2023 with plans to finish at 24 in 2025 has given me a real advantage. Unlike when I was 17, by the time I enrolled I had a better understanding of myself and what I wanted out of life. My time working between high school and university allowed me to build real-world experience, which I now apply to my studies.
I’m more focused on my goals and more determined to make the most of my degree because I know what it takes to succeed in the workforce. That sense of clarity has given me a head start in pursuing internships and opportunities aligned with my career aspirations.
What's your advice for Year 12 students considering starting uni later as non-school leavers?
Take the time to understand who you are. Most Year 12 students are between 16 and 18 years old, and at that age, it’s hard to have a firm grasp of your identity or future direction. The personal growth I’ve experienced from 16 to 23 has been immense, and I’m still figuring things out. Don't rush the process. Taking a gap year or starting uni later can give you the space to make more informed decisions about your career and your life.
You only have one life—study what excites you and do what’s best for you.
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 Have questions about your journey to uni?
If you have any questions about studying at UNSW as a non-recent school leaver or how you can make your studies work for you, contact us below. We’re here to help.