SAE University College
SAE Brisbane Cnr Jane Street and Riverside Drive WEST END QLD 4101 Australia
About
SAE University College (SAE) is the leading global specialist in creative media education.
SAE offers master, bachelor, associate degree, diploma and certificate course in Animation, Audio and Music, Design, Film and Games Development. In Australia, SAE has campuses in Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, as well as a network of campuses globally.
For more than 45 years, SAE University College has earned a strong reputation in education and creative media for delivering skills and knowledge in a practical environment, with industry connections and real-world opportunities.
SAE was designated as a ‘University College’ in December 2023, recognising its sustained delivery of quality and excellence in teaching and learning, student outcomes, quality assurance, and academic integrity and leadership.
It delivers diploma, bachelor and postgraduate degree programs in: Animation; Audio; Creative Industries; Design; Film; Games; and Music. And fast-tracked learning pathways mean graduates can be on their way to their dream job sooner.
State-of-the-art facilities, expert teaching staff with current experience and small class sizes provide students with an unparalleled creative media learning environment.
With six campuses across Australia – in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Melbourne, and Perth – about 3,000 SAE students each year share the same curriculum, enabling them to connect and work with more of their peers, and even study interstate. SAE also offers online and blended learning, and has a global network of 12,500 students annually at 47 campuses in 19 countries.
SAE holds self-accrediting authority from Australian regulator TEQSA, with course content structured to align with current local and global industry practices. It includes intensive training in world-class facilities with cutting-edge equipment and software, as well as embedded industry-based work placements and internships.
SAE’s relationships and connections enable SAE students to engage in collaborative multidiscipline real-world projects. This ensures students hone their technical knowledge and analytical skills while developing their creativity, and assist in employment pathways.
SAE offers flexible payment options, including payment plans, as well as access to FEE-HELP and scholarships.
Entry requirements
At SAE we consider your creative potential and commitment to the Creative Industries, not just your academic history. This is why you don’t need a minimum ATAR to study with us.
Visit sae.edu.au/how-to-apply/domestic-entry-requirements for more information on entry requirements.
Student support services
SAE has a range of services to support students during their studies. The Student Services team assists with learning support, administration support and student wellbeing, as well as supporting students with disabilities.
Payment options
SAE offers flexible payment options including payment plans, as well as access to FEE-HELP and the Scholarships Program.
Facilities
Located in Brisbane’s creative hub in West End, the campus facilities include:
• Six large digital and analog recording studios
• Five live recording rooms
• Premium Consoles: SSL AWS 900 SE+, Audient ASP8024, Audient ASP4816
• AVID S6 (Post Production Suite) – the latest in high-end control surface technology and our most recent acquisition. The studio is configured as a state-of-the-art multi-purpose setup for 5.1 surround sound film mixing.
• Industry-standard Cyclorama film studio
• Large multi-purpose soundstage
• Film theatrette with cinema seating
• Oculus Rift, Quests and HTC Vive virtual reality headsets
• Student Learning Centre
• Industry standard animation and design equipment including DSLR Cameras & Wacom graphics tablets
• On-campus café
Visit sae.edu.au/campuses/brisbane for more information about the facilities.
Early entry program
SAE offers an early entry program that allows Year 12 students to apply for their tertiary studies with SAE before the final school results are released.
For more information about the early entry program, visit sae.edu.au/how-to-apply/early-entry-program.
Find out more about SAE
If you’re keen to kick-start your creative career, find out more at sae.edu.au.
Interested in seeing what our talented students are working on? Check out our Youtube Channel by searching SAE Australia.
Admission Criteria
To be offered a place in a course you must meet the course entrance requirements and be selected in competition with other eligible applicants. SAE admission criteria vary depending on the course chosen. Check the course description for entry requirements relevant to that program and visit the SAE website.
SAE offers opportunities for prospective students with considerable industry experience and/or previous academic qualifications to apply for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning. For details read ‘Advanced standing’ below.
Applicants with previous VET studies must satisfy one of the following minimum entry criteria:
- For bachelor and associate degree courses, completion of a Certificate IV-level or above qualification issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
- For diploma courses, completion of a Certificate III-level or above qualification issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
SAE recognises that preparation for study is not restricted to formal educational attainment and that valuable cognitive and skills development can be gained through experience.
SAE will review applications on a case-by-case basis if the applicant:
- is at least 18 years of age
- does not have formal qualifications for entry
- seeks admission to courses on the basis of aptitude for higher learning and skills development through professional, work, life experience and non-accredited study.
To apply via an Experience Based Entry, students are required to undertake an interview with an assigned representative of SAE and provide supporting evidence that may include:
- records of any formal qualifications attained
- evidence of any informal studies undertaken
- employment references relevant to the chosen field of study
- a curriculum vitae.
In addition, candidates may also be asked to undertake an exam or written assignment to satisfactorily demonstrate capacity to meet the course requirements.
In all cases, Experienced Based Entry into a higher education course will only be granted to students with at least a Year 10 level of schooling.
To set up an Experienced Based Entry meeting, contact SAE on 1800 723 338.
Applicants must prove completion of Year 12 by providing a copy of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education that has been awarded by an agency or authority of the correspondent state of territory.
Australian Year 12 students
Applicants who are Australian Year 12 students, or have previously undertaken Year 12, are assessed on the basis of successful completion of Year 12 and a phone-based or campus interview.
We hold interviews with all prospective students to ensure we can meet their expectations and education goals. The interview is informal and helps us to understand personal motivations, previous study, relevant experience and expected course outcomes. For further information, visit the SAE website.
Applicants with overseas Year 12 study
Visit the SAE website for information on overseas secondary qualifications.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Creative Indigenous Scholarship
Indigenous scholarships are awarded to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students who have shown high academic achievement, strong leadership skills and a creative passion during secondary school. The aim of this scholarship is to assist Indigenous Australians and provide them with an opportunity to develop skills and achieve their goals within the creative media industry. For terms and conditions, visit the SAE website.
Acceptance of an offer
Applicants who meet the entry requirements will receive a letter of offer, which details important information such as course, campus, indicative cost, and acceptance and enrolment procedures. For more information visit sae.edu.au/admissions/application-process.
Deferment
Deferment is available to all applicants, for up to one year only.
Credit transfer
Prospective students with considerable industry experience and/or previous academic qualifications can apply for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning. The precise nature of credit will vary according to individual circumstances and depends on the course you are applying for.
Applicants who hold a qualification from another accredited institution, or have formally completed components of another qualification, should submit certified evidence of those achievements to SAE.
Applications for advanced standing must be made at enrolment and will be reviewed by the relevant Campus Academic Coordinator who will make an appropriate determination about the amount and kind of work that will have to be undertaken in order to complete the qualification sought.
Fees and charges
For fee information, visit the SAE website.
Tuition fees are paid in instalments at the beginning of each trimester, with the first payment due on the course commencement date. Alternatively, students may apply for FEE-HELP.
Australian or New Zealand citizens or holders of a humanitarian visa may be eligible to pay tuition fees via FEE-HELP for higher education courses offered at SAE University College
Contact SAE on 1800 723 338 to request the Fee Schedule or visit the SAE website.
Youth and student allowances
For details of Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY, visit the Department of Human Services website.
Loans
FEE-HELP is available for higher education courses offered at SAE. Australian or New Zealand citizens or holders of a humanitarian visa may be eligible to pay tuition fees via FEE-HELP. For further information, visit Study Assist.
Scholarships
SAE offers scholarships to outstanding creative media applicants. SAE scholarships are awarded to recognise creative talent coupled with academic excellence and outstanding leadership. For more details, visit the SAE website.
Course admission information
For course admission information, refer to the individual course entry in Course Search.
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students to SAE. It provides data on students who commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date for semester 1, 2019, including those admitted through all offer rounds, across all Australian campuses and international students studying in Australia.
| STUDENT PROFILE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applicant background | Semester 1 intake 2023 | |
| Number of students | Percentage of all students | |
| (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 215 | 19% |
| (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study | 78 | 7% |
| (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | 564 | 49% |
| (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR/selection rank (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | N/A | N/A |
| Admitted where both ATAR/selection rank and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR/selection rank) | N/A | N/A |
| Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR/selection rank was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, school recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR/selection rank requirement, VET qualification completed during school) | 244 | 21% |
| (E) International students | 57 | 5% |
| All students | 1158 | 100% |
| Notes: <5 – The numbers of students is less than five. N/A – Students not accepted in this category. N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than five students. | ||
SAE courses do not have an ATAR requirement.
SAE courses do not have an ATAR requirement.
Key Dates
| Course Offer Dates |
Term 1 2025
Term 2 2025
Visit our Course Search for all SAE courses. |
| Course Vacancies |
| Term 1 2025 All courses are open. Term 2 2025 All courses are open. |
| Institution Dates |
Trimester 3 2024
Trimester 1 2025
Trimester 2 2025
Trimester 3 2025
|
Check out the SAE website to find out more about Open Days and other SAE events.
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