First published 11 September 2024
QUT celebrated the successful conclusion of its two-year Get Uni Ready pilot program with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, August 31, 2024, held at Gardens Point Campus. The event marked a significant milestone for the program, which has supported senior high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to explore and prepare for post-school pathways, particularly higher education.
The event recognised the achievements of 140 graduates out of the 160 students who enrolled in the inaugural cohort two years earlier, with 120 poised to receive an Early Offer from QUT. This initiative is designed to dismantle barriers to university access by empowering students with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to succeed academically and see higher education as an achievable goal.
Launched in 2022, the Get Uni Ready program focused on students from low-SES postcodes, rural and remote areas, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, aiming to bridge the gap in educational opportunities for students. The program offered participants from 18 partner schools tailored mentorship, workshops on academic writing and career planning, and access to QUT’s Early Offer Scheme, which provides alternative entry pathways for students traditionally excluded from higher education due to systemic inequities.
The program’s impact on students has been transformative. One of the students shared their personal journey from uncertainty to confidence: "Get Uni Ready enabled me to have the knowledge and resources to make decisions and create inspiration for my future" said Marly. "I've grown really confident as a person... I'm more confident in my career choices and what I want to become in the future and what subjects I need to choose to get into that pathway."
A parent of a graduating student reflected on how the program helped them to improve their participation at school: "My child’s attendance at school improved heavily. I found Get Uni Ready strongly valuable.
The graduation ceremony, which featured keynote speeches, a presentation from QTAC, and personal stories of growth from student participants, was a celebration of both individual and collective achievement. Program presenters highlighted the significance of this initiative in closing the educational gap for underrepresented groups.
Program lead and QUT faculty member Brent McKnoulty, emphasised the broader impact of the program: "This graduation marks the beginning, not the end. These students have developed academic skills, resilience, and a sense of belonging in the university environment, all of which will contribute to their future success."
Get Uni Ready was modelled after similar successful widening participation programs and saw strong results from its pilot, with a high proportion of graduates now planning to apply for university through QTAC's Early Offer Scheme. The program’s evidence-based approach shows that with the right support, students from disadvantaged backgrounds can thrive in higher education, often outperforming their peers once given access.
QUT’s Student Inclusion team is committed to continuing this mission and plans to expand Get Uni Ready in 2025, incorporating additional schools and regions. By doing so, they hope to further reduce barriers to higher education and support even more students in realising their academic and career potential.
For more information about QUT's Student Inclusion programs, visit QUT Student Inclusion.
