More than 16,000 aspiring students have secured entry into Queensland universities for 2026, following the release of the first round of major offers by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). This marks a significant 4% increase from the previous year, with a notable rise in offers to mature-age students.
The December round saw mature-age students comprising one-fifth of the offers, reflecting a 7.2% increase from 2024. According to QTAC chief executive Chris Veraa, nearly 35,000 offers have been extended for 2026 courses, including early offers made in November and early December.
Mature-Age Students and Early Offers
Across all admission rounds, mature-age students accounted for 37% of the offers, with the remaining offers going to recent high school graduates. Among those who received early entry was Belle Gundrum, a future Queensland University of Technology (QUT) student, who was offered a place the day after her graduation.
“I found out actually the day after I graduated, and even that one night of genuinely not knowing if I’d get into the university that I really wanted to get into – it felt like a huge weight,” Gundrum shared. She has enrolled in dual degrees in business and design, majoring in fashion design, a field she has been passionate about since learning to sew in Year 9.
Gundrum’s twin sister, Rose, also received an early offer to study acting at QUT, highlighting the growing trend of early admissions as a stress-reliever for students eager to secure their academic futures.
Health and Engineering Lead Popular Courses
Health-related courses emerged as the most popular area of study, with 4,331 successful applications for degrees in pharmacy, speech pathology, and veterinary science. This represents a 7.7% increase from the previous year’s December round.
“It’s encouraging to see applicants gravitating toward study areas that align with Queensland’s workforce needs and long-term growth priorities,” Veraa commented.
Engineering also saw a significant number of offers, with the University of Queensland (UQ) leading in the number of courses offered. Lourdes Hill College graduate Sophia Oberhardt was among those accepted into UQ’s Bachelor of Engineering Honours program, the largest course in Queensland.
“I really wanted to get the first offer round, just so that the stress is off … I went ahead and just accepted it straight away,” Oberhardt said, expressing her relief and excitement at joining a cohort of nearly 493 students. She plans to major in mechanical engineering, with aspirations to specialize in aerospace engineering.
Looking Ahead: January Round and Future Trends
While the December round has set a positive tone, many courses will be offered in the second major round in January as institutions finalize their entry criteria. This phased approach allows universities to manage demand and adjust to the evolving educational landscape.
The increase in offers, particularly in health and engineering, reflects a strategic alignment with Queensland’s economic and workforce priorities. As the state continues to expand its educational offerings, the focus remains on equipping students with skills that meet future industry demands.
As the January round approaches, prospective students and institutions alike will be watching closely to see how these trends continue to develop, shaping the future of higher education in Queensland.
