Almost 2,100 new students, including 450 from overseas, had their first taste of academic and social life at USC today as the University kicked off its Semester 2 Orientation Week.

Students explored dozens of market day stalls, which featured local clubs and interest groups, before joining in workshops about study skills to prepare for the start of classes on Monday 24 July.

Fun and serious orientation activities will continue until Wednesday this week at USC’s main campus at Sippy Downs for those who have enrolled mid-year in a wide range of study programs.

Tomorrow, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Birgit Lohmann and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) Professor Karen Nelson will address the new cohort during an Official Welcome at 10am, before students attend a range of specific information sessions on study programs.

Social activities for new students over the next two days include live music, barbecues, team sports and a movie screening.

Special orientation days are also planned for USC Gympie on Thursday and USC Fraser Coast on Friday.

USC offered mid-year entry to more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate study programs at its main campus at Sippy Downs, including Creative Industries, Design, Engineering, Health and Humanities.

— Gen Kennedy