Josephine Gillespie | 29th December 2010

UQ College is delivering a new tertiary preparation program which will offer people bridging opportunities into further studies.

Director of studies Julia Thaggard said staff were proud of the site's place in local folklore.

"This old building is part of the rich history of Ipswich," Mrs Thaggard said.

"We are very much part of the city's future."

The tertiary preparation program was developed in collaboration with senior UQ academics to provide learners with the best preparation for their future undergraduate studies.

"It is a year 12 equivalent-type program which caters to people who maybe didn't get the OP they wanted and who are looking for a way to get into university," Mrs Thaggard said.

"It would also cater to single people who are getting into learning or earning now that their children have reached school, or baby boomers who want to keep their minds active.

"It is designed for people who have a burning desire to get into university and thought they would never make it.

"Our aim is to help people build their confidence and skills."

UQ College will deliver the foundation program of 28 weeks, which will be studied over two trimesters from January 24 to August 19 and will be completed before the first intake for the associate degree in business in the third trimester of 2011.

The full-time program includes subjects such as English and mathematics.

While it will be geared towards people interested in business studies, it will eventually be extended towards other areas such as health.

Mrs Thaggard said the university had bought 50 places at the college, which were offered with no tuition fees.

For more information, phone UQ College on 3381 1152.