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Access
These programs focus on enabling students from targeted groups to enter university. They provide non-traditional pathways to study at ACU. Traditionally, universities use the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or Overall Position (OP) to rank and select school leavers for admission to tertiary courses. In contrast, the programs listed below offer students the opportunity to gain entry to the ACU in ways that do not depend solely on the ATAR/ OP attained.
We collaborate with high schools to deliver the below Access programs.
Access programs aim to:
•Provide academic support to assist students to develop higher order numeracy and literacy skills necessary for successful university entrance
•Offer a range of pathways into university other than by the traditional ATAR entry mode
•Provide opportunities for all those despite their educational background, aspire to higher education
Writers’ Workshop
A series of two, one-day academic skills workshops, focussing specifically on the development of writing skills for Year 12 students. Workshops will cover such topics as improving clarity of expression, improving and developing revision techniques and analysing and answering past paper questions.
Offered to: Year 12
Making Maths Work
A series of two, one-day academic skills workshops conducted on-campus at ACU by university staff and students in the holidays at the end of Term 2 and Term 3. Workshops aim to support and encourage participation in the study of mathematics and to assist students to optimise their maths grades to enhance university entrance. Workshops include consolidation of knowledge in areas such as Statistics, Calculus, Trigonometry and Probability.
Offered to: Year 12
Uni Step-Up & Step-Up Into Teaching
Secondary students are offered the chance to undertake a selected range of first year university units of study. Units of study available and how they are delivered vary according to state.
Currently, courses are available in the areas of Education, Health Science, Exercise Science, Arts and Business.
Students who successfully complete their chosen unit of study, and who choose to enrol in a related ACU undergraduate degree course will receive credit points towards that degree. If students enrol in another university it will be at the discretion of that university to award credit.
Offered to: Year 11 & 12 (Qld). Year 12 (Vic, NSW)
More information on Uni Step-Up
More information on Step-Up Into Teaching (SUIT)
ACUaccess
Students wishing to enrol at ACU who do not have sufficient prerequisites to start a degree course have pathways options that include TAFE and Diploma courses. Faculty course advisers are the persons best able to direct these students to the options on each campus.
ACUcom is developing options for these students. Also, under consideration is a one-semester university preparatory course, consisting of four units of study. These include the topics Numeracy, Information Technology, Academic Writing and Research and Time Management and Planning.
Students who successfully complete the course are able to gain access to an aligned undergraduate degree program.
Offered to: Early school leavers and students with ATARS/OPs below entrance requirements
Principal’s Recommendation Program (PRP)
This program is offered to partner schools and identifies students who have experienced educational disadvantage. In consultation with the principal, Equity Pathways and the relevant Faculty a student is recommended for direct entry to an ACUaccess or degree program. The student is required to participate in ACU Smart and is supported by an academic skills advisor throughout their first year.
Offered to: Year 12
PRP Brochure (PDF, 703KB)
ACU TAFE Pathways Program
ACU currently has formal partnership agreements with three TAFE institutes across Australia to facilitate the entry of TAFE students into degree level courses at the university.
ACUcom is a TAFE provider and provides some pathways courses into ACU. ACUcom is working to develop broader pathway options for students wishing to enter ACU.
Students who enter ACU through this pathway are required to participate in ACU Smart and are supported by an academic skills advisor throughout their first year.
Offered to: TAFE students, non-ATAR students
Education Reconnect
This program is conducted in partnership with a range of community-based organisations. It is targeted at young people who have experienced educational disadvantage, such as their social status, family circumstance or refugee background.
The program aims to improve participants’ self-esteem and confidence through the development of the skills required to re-enter mainstream education and training.
In consultation with the Equity Pathways Office and the relevant Faculty a student may be recommended for direct entry into an ACUaccess or degree program.
When this student enters ACU he/she is required to participate in ACU Smart and is supported by an academic skills advisor during their first year.
Offered to: All
Come to Dinner
An event hosted by ACU whereby Indigenous secondary school students and ACU Indigenous staff and students are invited to sit down to share a formal dinner together.
Secondary school students will be provided with the opportunity to listen to presentations from ACU Indigenous staff and students, and will have the chance to engage in conversation with these university representatives about university life.
ACU Indigenous students will be trained as mentors to assist their effective interactions with secondary school students.
The goals of this program also intersect with those of ACUgate’s Awareness and Aspirations programs.
Offered to: Indigenous secondary school students
