First published 4 November 2024
Year 11 students from select schools are being offered a valuable opportunity to get a head start on university life thanks to the Diploma Advantage program at QUT.
The program reflects the QUT commitment to broadening access to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds – by presenting a pathway to students who may have thought a tertiary education was available to them.
Jason Curtis, Director of Future Students at QUT has seen students thrive in this style of pathway program.
"For many students, programs like Diploma Advantage provide a pathway to university they might not have thought possible,” Mr Curtis said.
“It's not just about getting credit; it’s about fostering a belief in themselves that they can succeed at university level."
Run by QUT College, in conjunction with the QUT Widening Participation program, the Diploma Advantage allows high school students to complete a unit during their summer holidays, earning credit that can be applied toward a future diploma or degree at QUT.
The program is designed to ease students into higher education, giving them the chance to explore their academic interests in a university setting.
Ken Beutel, the Executive Director of QUT College, emphasizes the benefits of the program for schools within the widening participation cohort, and the pathways it can create.
"It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to experience university life early and build confidence in their academic abilities,” Mr Beutel said.
“In our first cohort, all 19 students who were enrolled passed their unit, and were welcomed in as valued members of our QUT College community,”
“This kind of head start can make a real difference when they transition into full-time studies,"
“If you think you might want to study at university this is a wonderful opportunity to try it for free, it lets students dip their toe in the water and get a real experience in a real environment.“
By immersing in campus life and experiencing the university atmosphere, students are empowered to break down the barriers to higher education and realise their potential.
Main image: Stock photo of two students. Credit AntonioGuillem/Getty Images.
Media contact:
Natassja Sharp, QUT Media, media@qut.edu.au
07 3138 7702 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
