However, a UOW spokesperson said while domestic student numbers are looking healthy, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic international applications are down by almost 45 per cent compared to last year, and that gap is expected to grow as border closures continue.

Undergraduate January Round 1 offers will be released this week.

Read more: Illawarra students among thousands to secure university offers

This is the second offer round for Year 12 students based on ATARs.

The spokesperson said the university is "cautiously optimistic" about domestic student numbers for 2021.

"Compared to the same time last year, offers to domestic students through UAC and the Early Admissions program are up by 24 per cent," the spokesperson said. "However, there is strong competition for domestic students this year and the annual student recruitment cycle is at a very dynamic stage as students change preferences and choose between various study options.

"Reliable student numbers will not be available until census date, at the end of the current applications and enrolments cycle, at the end of March 2021."

Data from UOW's Early Admissions program and UAC offer rounds show that health sciences, psychological sciences, social sciences and business are popular fields of study among potential 2021 first year students.

"In particular UOW is seeing strong demand for nursing courses, both at the main Wollongong campus and at the university's regional campuses," the spokesperson said.

"UOW now has six nursing training facilities across metropolitan and regional NSW.

"In Wollongong there has also been strong demand for primary education, exercise science, pre-medicine, science and health, and medical and health sciences courses."

Details: www.uac.edu.au.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.