La Trobe University acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Susan Dodds congratulated all students commencing this year for their resilience and determination.

"After completing their secondary education under very difficult circumstances, this year's cohort are to be congratulated for their flexibility and firm focus on pursuing their passion," she said.

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Catherine McAuley year 12 students Piper Dunlop and Abby Perdon were two of the more than 900 students offered spots at La Trobe's Bendigo campus.

Piper said she was relieved to receive an offer at a local university as it would enable her to continue playing basketball for the Bendigo Braves.

"I was really excited to receive my offer into Exercise Science on Friday morning, it's great to know I'll be able to study something I love while I play sport at the same time," Piper said.

"After the last few years we've had, it will be amazing to start a new chapter full of new experiences."

Abby said she is keen to begin her course in physiotherapy this year.

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"It's going to be great to focus and learn the subjects and gain knowledge in something I want to do," she said.

"The uni experience is going to be so new and exciting and I can't wait to see what the future brings."

Acting dean and head of the Rural Health School Carol McKinstry said while schools were tossing up their start dates across Australia, La Trobe would work to get their students back on campus as soon as possible.

"It's important that we make the return as safe as possible," she said.

"We know the last two years have been challenging for our students and we want to get as many back working face-to-face as soon as possible.

"But if it comes to it, we know how to deliver these courses and subjects online so we will do that if we need to."

Many courses at La Trobe are still open for direct application, including an expanded range of fully online degrees.

"We have also witnessed strong interest from those at all life stages in our expanded range of diplomas in arts, business, health, IT, science and teacher education," Professor Dodds said.

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As part of La Trobe offers to students via VTAC in January:

Professor Dodds said La Trobe had not yet made offers to school leavers in NSW and ACT, due to COVID disrupting the release of their year 12 results.

"We look forward to making offers in later rounds to NSW and ACT students and thank them for their patience during this challenging time," Professor Dodds said.

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The University continues to offer a wide range of pathways into its degree programs, such as Aspire, Achieve at La Trobe and Prepare for La Trobe.

"We recognise that an ATAR score isn't always the best measure of student potential, and we're proud to give every student an opportunity to follow their passions," Professor Dodds said.

Professor Dodds also acknowledged the many international students who will be travelling to Australia for the first time over the coming weeks.

"We hope that international students will once again be able to join us on our vibrant campuses, and look forward to enjoying the strong social and cultural contribution they make to campus life," she said.

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