Become a Clemente student

To be a Clemente student, you need:

• a desire to learn (no formal qualifications needed)
• a readiness/willingness to commit to the program
• available to attend 4 hours per week + study at home
• a sufficient English literacy level
• in stable housing
• be 18 years of age or older

You don’t need a specific qualification or school certificate and there is no upper age limit. Clemente students are a very diverse group and can include people:

• aged 18 to over 60 years old
• from non-English speaking backgrounds
• who have missed out on education because of poverty, illness, homelessness, imprisonment, or age discrimination
• who want to increase their social and community connections.

ACU delivers the academic approved course with community partners providing local co-ordination, social support and services. Learning partners support students with encouragement, study and writing skills.

You will study humanities subjects such as history, literature, philosophy and art. These subjects have the same content, readings and assessment tasks as on-campus undergraduate subjects.

Two subjects are offered each year – one per semester. Each subject is taught over 12-14 weeks with a two-hour lecture each week and a further two hours for tutorials. You sign up for one subject at a time. Classes usually have 15 - 20 students with a focus on open discussion and hearing student voices and opinions.

On successful completion of four subjects, you receive a Certificate in Liberal Arts from ACU. If you decide to continue with your studies, the four Clemente units may be credited towards an ACU undergraduate degree.

ACU sponsors and hosts Clemente Australia, working in partnership with community, education, business and government organisations and individual volunteers. ACU-supported Clemente sites include:

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• Canberra

New South Wales (NSW)

• Blacktown, Sydney
• Surry Hills, Sydney

Queensland (QLD)

• South Brisbane
• Banyo, Brisbane

Victoria (VIC)

• Ballarat
• Fitzroy, Melbourne

Student motivations for starting Clemente include:

• for knowledge
• to prove to myself I can achieve
• wanting to learn
• for personal satisfaction
• to move on from where I am
• to undertake recognised academic study
• to learn additional skills
• to move into employment
• to make new friends.

Student university fees, course books and materials, library access and other support services are covered by ACU and community partners. Community volunteers participate as learning partners, helping you with study and writing skills and supporting you in your learning journey. Most sites have internet and computer access for Clemente students and with each lecture session there is the time to talk and engage with others over light refreshments.