Multiple paths to uni
STUDENTS who fall short of their OP target should not give up on their dream career, with education providers rolling out extra ways for teens to land a spot in their desired course.
As Queensland’s Year 12s wait anxiously for their OP results to be released next month, experts say students should not feel disheartened if their score is not what they hoped.
The University of Southern Queensland is among the state’s top institutes offering school leavers alternative ways of entry.
“We have a number of pathway programs for those who are looking to get into university and their OP wasn’t quite what they were anticipating,” USQ Pro Vice-Chancellor (student services) Helen Nolan said.
“If you’ve got a goal and you want to achieve it, there is always a way.”
Among the options on offer are accelerated entry pathway programs and tertiary preparation programs, which allow students to meet prerequisites required for a range of degrees.
USQ Bachelor of Nursing student Grace Banhidi graduated from high school in 2017, but took a gap year after missing out on her chosen course.
Earlier this year she undertook a tertiary preparation program, which combined with school subjects allowed her to start her nursing degree.
“When I didn’t get the score that I wanted, I did feel a little down on myself. But I found the program great and feel even better prepared for university than if I had gone straight into a degree from school,” she said.