2500 students to benefit from 10-year deal

Partnership

A joint venture between the University of Adelaide and University Senior College (USC) has been renewed for a 10-year period.

USC Council Chair Dr Judith Brine and Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha signed the 10-year joint venture agreement at the University of Adelaide recently.

The College is an academic, co-educational, independent school offering Year 11 and 12 students a challenging educational program, which prepares them for a smoother transition to university.

Since 2002, the University and the USC have worked in partnership, offering senior students a program unhindered by the shackles of normal school routines.

Experienced specialist teachers use the University's facilities to present courses for 100 international and 300 local students from 75 different schools.

USC Principal Bob Holloway said the concept had been a "resounding success", with preliminary data indicating that USC graduates had experienced a smooth transition to tertiary studies.

"It is widely recognised that almost 30% of undergraduates either drop out or change courses during their first year. The USC experience is structured to ensure students make more informed choices and are better prepared to cope with the demands of the independent learning style at university," Mr Holloway said.

During the next decade, more than 2500 young scholars will graduate from Year 12 at USC, of whom 98% will proceed to tertiary institutions, most to the University of Adelaide.

Story by Candy Gibson