Help is at hand for parents and students navigating pathways to university and wanting to get a head start on a degree.
USC will host special information sessions filled with practical advice for Year 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents on Tuesday 20 March at its Caboolture campus, and on Thursday 22 March at its Sippy Downs and Fraser Coast campuses.
The information evenings will include a presentation on USC’s award-winning Headstart program that allows students to complete a USC subject while in Year 11 and 12, and earn credit towards their Queensland Certificate of Education and a degree at the same time.
Parents can also learn more about USC’s parent lounge – a dedicated online space filled with information and tips for parents with children considering university study.
The sessions offer the opportunity to talk first-hand to staff and USC students about the journey to university. Among the students will be former Maroochydore State High School student Jessica Bettega, who will share her experiences of USC’s Headstart program.
“Headstart can help you discover a degree you might have never thought about studying before, or help alleviate some of the stress that you feel about choosing a study pathway,” Jessica said.
She said she found completing a USC subject in Year 11 was the perfect way to narrow down her preferred study options and get a taste of university life while still at school.
“It allowed me to try out creative writing at uni without committing to an entire degree, and while it is still a hobby of mine, I saw that it wasn't the career path for me.”
Instead she chose a science discipline and is now studying Environmental Science after completing a Bachelor of Animal Ecology last year.
“Headstart was an incredible program for developing confidence, pursuing your interests and becoming comfortable in a university environment,” she said.
“It definitely gave me a lot of confidence when navigating the campus, using the online portals, and writing at an academic level.”
Students can choose Headstart subjects from a wide range of study areas, including engineering, graphic design, languages, psychology and law.
The program reduces the overall cost of a degree, with no tuition fees for the first subject and a reduced fee for a second subject. Scholarships are also available.
The information evenings will include campus tours and presentations about career planning and applying to study via QTAC.
— Clare McKay
Media enquiries: Please contact the Media Team media@usc.edu.au