From the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Offering students clear goals

Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Studying at university is a lifelong goal for many people.

However, the application process can prove daunting for some young people already consumed by the challenges of completing their final year of secondary schooling.

Offering a range of pathways and helping all students to transition successfully to tertiary study and campus life is a major part of the University's growth agenda.

This year, the University of Adelaide is making it easier for school leavers to plan for their future with the introduction of Adelaide Approved Scores in selected Engineering, Humanities, Social Science and Science programs.

An Adelaide Approved Score will help students plan with more certainty for the future. More often than not, the cut-off score to get into a program only reflects the TER score of the last person to gain entry into that program. This can vary from year to year and is subject to shifting student preferences, the introduction of new programs and the overall number of students applying for programs.

The Adelaide Approved Score clearly indicates exactly what level of achievement we believe students need in order to succeed in selected academic programs.

It gives our local students more confidence to aim for programs at this university.

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about what TER score students need to get into each program. For example, the Adelaide Approved Score for Engineering in 2011 is 80 yet many students believe they must attain a TER score well above 95 to gain entry into this program.

The Adelaide Approved Score stops this kind of speculation and reduces the ambiguity and mystery around cut-off scores.

We receive a lot of feedback from students, parents and teachers concerned about the stress of not knowing whether students are on track to be accepted into the University of Adelaide.

The expectations placed on young people in their final year of schooling can be overwhelming for students as well as their families. By giving advance notice of cut-off scores for selected programs, students can feel confident that their goal of studying at the University of Adelaide is achievable.

Universities must be more responsive to student needs. A TER score, with or without bonus points, is only one measure of a person's ability to undertake university studies. It is more often an indication of supply and demand rather than academic ability or potential.

That is why we offer alternative pathways for those who have the talent and motivation to further their education and study with us, but who may not have had the opportunity in the past.

In addition, the University supports a range of alternative pathways as part of our plans to extend existing access and participation programs. This is in line with the Federal Government's higher education reform agenda.

As a learning institution, it is our responsibility to guide students as they transition to university study, providing them with information and support throughout their decision-making and application process.

We want to encourage more people who may not have had the opportunity in the past, to consider university study. The range of our academic programs and the high quality of the curriculum and teaching at the University of Adelaide mean students have much to gain from choosing to study with us.

Broadening entry points and giving students a benchmark for achievement will help them gain the most from university life so they can achieve their full potential.

The journey to higher learning is as important as the final destination.

FRED MCDOUGALL
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)