USC is gearing up for its biggest year yet, with a record number of people receiving offers today to begin study here in 2015.

A total of 3,175 offers for places at USC have been made so far by QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) – up five percent on this time last year.

That number will increase further as QTAC’s offer rounds are completed next month, with the influx of new students tipped to boost the University’s student population to 11,000 by the time Semester 1 classes begin on Monday 2 March.

The Bachelor of Nursing Science remains USC’s most sought-after degree, with 277 offers made, followed by other health-related programs like Paramedic Science, Sport and Exercise Science, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Biomedical Science.

The 3,175 offers include 2,442 to applicants from the Sunshine Coast and neighbouring regions, 527 to residents from other areas of Queensland (including Brisbane) and 192 from interstate.

USC’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill congratulated those who received offers and encouraged all new students to join in Orientation activities from 23-27 February.

“A university education opens many doors for students and graduates,” he said. “I’d like to encourage our new students to make the most of the opportunities that will be presented to them.”

Professor Hill also urged new students to attend USC’s Program Information and Enrolment Sessions (PIES) on 21 and 22 January to gain information about study planning.

2015 is set to be an exciting year for the University, with the introduction of some new degrees like Animal Ecology and Criminology and Justice, and the planned completion of a massive engineering education complex.

The major round of offers was released online through QTAC at 9am today. Enrolment packs from USC will arrive in applicants’ mailboxes over the next few days. Students have until Thursday 22 January to respond to this offer round.

Anyone who has received an offer to study at USC but does not receive an offer pack from the University within the next few days should contact USC’s Student Administration Office on 5430 2890.

Those who did not receive an offer can also contact USC’s Student Administration Office for advice about the second round of QTAC offers on Thursday 5 February.

USC also has a number of alternative entry pathways to university, including its innovative free Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) program.

— Terry Walsh