Universities across the country made a record number of offers this year, as the Federal Government has lifted restrictions on the number of places it will fund.

Victorian tertiary institutions have made almost 3000 more offers this year, while about 1400 extra students have been offered places at NSW and ACT universities. In South Australia and the Northern Territory there was a 4.4 per cent increase in offers.

Red Cliffs Secondary College’s 2011 dux, Zach Lynch, who received an ATAR score of 96.80, was accepted into courses at the University of Adelaide and the University of Melbourne and spent the last week deciding where to study.

The 18-year-old yesterday said he had just decided to accept Adelaide’s offer to study a pre-veterinary Bachelor of Animal Science as it guaranteed his entry into a veterinary science postgraduate program.

“Both my sisters are in Adelaide, but my decision was based mostly on the course,” he said.

“I’m interested in the conservation and research side of things, rather than just being a traditional vet. Things like working on preserving endangered animals, biodiversity and researching animal species – it’s a bit different.

“It’s always been a pretty big passion of mine.”

Principal David Browne said Zach was one of 25 Red Cliffs students to receive a first-round offer from the 29 who put in tertiary applications through VTAC and SATAC last year.

“We’re very pleased with the figures and wish all our students who are off to university or the workforce all the best,” he said.

Mr Browne said a handful of students had already accepted early offers, while there was also the possibility students would receive second-round offers.

Mildura Senior College graduate Alister Sluiter, the school’s dux with a score of 99.1, yesterday said he would begin a Bachelor of Environments, majoring in architecture, at Melbourne University.