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High school students offered a Headstart to University
High school students interested in gaining a headstart to tertiary study have been invited to a special information session at the University of the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 21 March.
The event at the USC campus at Sippy Downs from 7-9pm will outline USC’s Headstart program which gives Year 11 and 12 students a chance to experience university life so they can decide if tertiary study is for them.
The information session is for students who are currently in Years 10-12 and their parents. It will outline Headstart course options and provide details about how much time is involved, fees, support services and scholarships.
Current and past Headstart students will discuss their experiences in the program which was recently praised by the Australian Universities Quality Agency, an independent organisation that audits every Australian university.
USC External Relations Coordinator Kylie Russell said Headstart offered students an authentic pre-taste of lectures, tutorials and lab work and helped overcome some of the problems that first-year university students experienced.
“Headstart gives you a idea of what university life is like and helps prepare you for future study,’’ she said. “It provides guaranteed entry into a USC degree if you successfully complete two courses within the Headstart program and obtain a senior certificate from your school.”
Ms Russell said more than 400 high school students had been involved in Headstart during the past four years, with many of them continuing on to study at USC.
“More than 80 students from 24 Sunshine Coast schools have enrolled in Headstart this semester and more students are expected to enrol in Semester 2,’’ she said.
“Forty-one percent of students enrolled are the first in their family to participate in university education.”
Students from Caboolture to Gympie can register for the Headstart event by emailing schools@usc.edu.au or by calling Marion Allan on 5459 4795.