Admissions Guidelines – Headstart
- Background
Headstart is a transition program that provides the opportunity for Year 11 and 12 students to study USC courses while still completing high school.
- Application requirements
2.1. Application requirements for students enrolled in a registered school
These requirements relate to students enrolled in a registered state school, independent school or school of distance education. Applicants who are home-schooled may be considered on a case-by-case basis (refer to Application requirements for home-schooled students).
Applicants must:
- be domestic students or international students who are not on an international student visa. Students on an international student visa are not eligible for Headstart;
- speak English as their first language or have achieved a minimum grade of B in English, English Extension or English for ESL Learners throughout Year 11;
- be enrolled in a full workload of Year 11 or 12 curriculum through a registered state or independent school, including the School of Distance Education. Applicants who do not speak English as their first language must have completed Year 11 and be enrolled in a full workload of Year 12 curriculum;
- have a Learner Unique Identifier issued by the QCAA; and
- be achieving a minimum B average.
2.2. Application requirements for home-schooled students
These requirements relate to students who are home-schooled.
Applicants must:
- be domestic students or international students who are not on an international student visa. Students on an international student visa are not eligible for Headstart;
- speak English as their first language or have met the minimum English language requirements for their chosen course;
- be registered with the Home Education Unit of the Queensland Department of Education;
- be turning at least 16 years of age during the semester they wish to study; and
- provide evidence that demonstrates a high level of achievement in areas of study equivalent to Year 11 or 12 curriculum.
- Documentation requirements
All applicants are required to submit the relevant application form and provide supporting documentation to enable their application to be assessed.
3.1. Application form
Applicants for their first course are required to complete a Headstart Application form. Applicants for their second course are required to complete a Headstart Continuing Enrolment form. The form is to be signed by the student, the school Headstart Coordinator and the parent/guardian. For students who are home-schooled, the Teacher Statement of Support should be signed by the person registered with the Home Education Unit of the Qld Department of Education as being responsible for the applicant’s education.
3.2. Report cards
Applicants enrolled in a registered school are required to submit their most recent report card that included grades. For study in Semester 1, submit the Semester 2 report card from the previous year. For study in Semester 2, submit the most recent graded report card. This may be Semester 1 of the current year, Term 1 of the current year (if the report contains grades) or Semester 2 from the previous year depending on the timing of the application. USC reserves the right to request more recent or older reports at any time. Applicants who are home-schooled but have recently attended a registered school should provide copies of their most recent report card.
3.3. Work samples
Applicants who are home-schooled are required to provide work samples to support their application that they feel best display their academic achievements to date. Work samples should demonstrate the student’s writing ability as well as ability in the area related to the Headstart course they are applying for. For example, if applying for a mathematics based Headstart course work samples provided should include a written piece to demonstrate written communication skills and mathematics pieces to demonstrate mathematical functions the student is capable in.
3.4. References
Applicants who are home schooled are also required to provide copies of written references from community members who can vouch for their abilities, work ethic and maturity such as instrumental music teachers, sports club officials, etc.
3.5. Other documentation
Applicants who have completed other qualifications at AQF Certificate III level or higher may include copies of transcripts and completion certificates to support their application.
3.6. Cases for special consideration
Schools who wish to submit applications for applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirement of B average or higher are required to submit a written case for special consideration outlining the reasons why the student may not be achieving at the required level and what support the school has in place for the student.
- Assessment of applications
Prior to submission of the application to USC, the school Headstart Coordinator will determine the student’s eligibility in terms of B average, meeting prerequisites and capability to undertake university level study. Schools should not submit applications for students who they believe do not meet the requirements.
Applications will then be assessed by the USC Admissions team.
Applicants for language courses may be required to undertake language specific tests as part of the assessment of their application.
Home-schooled applicants supporting documentation may be referred to the relevant Course Coordinator for assessment.
Home-schooled applicants may also be required to attend an interview with the relevant Course Coordinator to determine eligibility.
- Late applications
Applications should be submitted by the on-time application date for the relevant semester as per the USC Application dates web page. Late applications may be considered on a case by case basis after this date at the discretion of the Team Leader – Admissions. Late applications will not be considered after the commencement of USC classes.
- Courses
6.1. Maximum number of courses
Students can complete a maximum of two (2) courses under the Headstart program. Students can enrol in a maximum of one (1) course per semester.
6.2. Approved courses
Each semester, Marketing & External Engagement will liaise with both Faculties to determine which courses are approved for Headstart students to study. The list of approved courses will be published on the USC website and in the Headstart Guide.
If a course is approved as a Headstart course, it will be available to Headstart students at any campus on which the course is available in the semester of offering.
6.3. Course prerequisites
Some courses have prerequisites for Headstart students including relevant high school study (eg Authority Biology), enrolment in a particular Year level at high school (eg Year 12 only), prerequisite university courses or language assessments. Applicants are required to meet any such prerequisites prior to admission. Only students completing a standard Queensland school curriculum or equivalent (eg IB) are eligible to apply for courses with specific subject prerequisites.
- Application requirements for a second course
Students may continue into a second Headstart course providing they successfully complete their first Headstart course (Pass grade or higher).
Applicants for their second course are required to complete a Headstart Continuing Enrolment form. The form is to be signed by the student, the school Headstart Coordinator and the parent/guardian. For students who are home-schooled, the Teacher Statement of Support should be signed by the person registered with the Home Education Unit of the Qld Department of Education as being responsible for the applicant’s education.
If the second Headstart course applied for has prerequisites, an updated Report Card must be provided.
USC checks previous semesters’ results for continuing Headstart students to ensure they have successfully completed the first course. If a continuing Headstart student fails their first course, their enrolment in the second course will be cancelled and they will be withdrawn from the Headstart program.
Students who have withdrawn from their first Headstart course prior to census are permitted to reapply as a New Headstart student.
Students who have withdrawn from their first Headstart course after census are not permitted to reapply.
Students who have withdrawn from their second Headstart course prior to census are permitted to reapply as a Continuing Headstart student.
Students who have withdrawn from their second Headstart course after census are not permitted to reapply.
- Tuition fees and scholarships
8.1. Course contributions
8.1.1. Domestic students
8.1.1.1. First course
USC subsidises the tuition fees for domestic Headstart students. Students in their first Headstart course will not be charged a course contribution fee.
8.1.1.2. Second course
Domestic students undertaking a second Headstart course will be charged a course contribution fee of $400.
8.1.2. International students
International students who are eligible for Headstart are required to pay full fees for both first and second Headstart courses.
8.2. Additional costs
All students are expected to meet the costs normally incurred with the course including textbooks, photocopying, printing, travel, field trips and any other study-related costs.
8.3. Scholarships
Scholarships are available each semester for domestic Headstart students which cover the $400 course contribution fee that applies to the second Headstart course. Eligibility requirements apply.
- USC student policies
Headstart students will be issued with a student number and will have access to the University Library and to the University IT services. Students will be subject to the provisions of the University’s statutes and regulations during their enrolment. Each application must be signed by parents/caregivers thereby giving consent to USC to provide full internet access to the student for the purpose of their studies and educational activities and incident to such in accordance with USC’s ICT policies. USC will not be responsible for the content that may be viewed on the internet. By refusing consent, or later withdrawing consent by written notice to USC, the student’s enrolment or internet access as applicable will be cancelled by USC, which may impact on the student’s study results.
Parents/caregivers and the nominated school coordinator are eligible to be granted access to information regarding the enrolment of their student/s during the semester.
- Completion of Headstart
10.1. Certificates of completion
Students will be provided with a Certificate of Completion for each Headstart course that they successfully complete. These will be forwarded to the school Headstart coordinator for distribution to students, with the exception of courses completed in Semester 2 of Year 12. Certificates of Completion for courses completed in Semester 2 of Year 12 will be forwarded directly to students.
10.2. Academic transcripts
10.2.1. Unofficial transcripts
Unofficial transcripts can be downloaded by the student from USC Central at any time.
10.2.2. Official transcripts
Students will be provided with an official academic transcript on the successful completion of two (2) Headstart courses. Official transcripts will be forwarded directly to students after completion of Year 12. Replacement transcripts, or transcripts when only one (1) Headstart course has been completed, can be obtained upon request and payment of the associated fee.
10.3. Entry to a USC degree program
10.3.1. Applying for a USC degree program
Students who have completed the Headstart program apply for entry to a USC degree program through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Students must list their Headstart study on their QTAC application in order to have it considered as part of their application.
10.3.2. Selection ranks
Headstart students who complete two (2) Headstart courses are eligible for a tertiary selection rank via the relevant QTAC Admissions Schedule. This selection rank can be used when applying for entry to a USC degree. Selection ranks are calculated on the grades achieved in the two (2) Headstart courses.
10.3.3. Entry requirements and prerequisites
All students are required to meet all entry requirements to a USC degree program. Completion of two (2) Headstart courses does not automatically guarantee entry into USC degree programs. A Headstart student’s selection rank needs to meet the minimum selection threshold in order to gain entry into a USC degree program. Two Pass grades may not give a high enough selection rank to meet the entry requirements for all USC degree programs. Alternatively, the student may have an OP or ATAR score that meets the minimum selection threshold. Headstart students must also meet any subject or other prerequisites that are required for entry into the USC degree program they are applying for.
10.3.4. Credit for prior study
Students who successfully complete a Headstart course with a Pass grade or higher may be eligible for credit for prior study towards related USC degree programs.
10.4. Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) points
Headstart students will receive points towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) for each Headstart course they successfully complete with a Pass grade or above, up to the maximum allowable limit set by the Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA).