Thousands of students are gearing up for the start of the new academic year at The University of Queensland, but not all of them have finished high school.
Each year the University’s Enhanced Studies Program (ESP) gives gifted and talented year 12 students the chance to study a subject while still attending secondary school.
Student Recruitment Coordinator Jessica Gallagher said the program provided year 12 students with an opportunity to “test drive” university life and study.
“ESP students are treated like real university students,” Ms Gallagher said.
“They attend lectures and tutorials with other students and have access to the Library and other University services and facilities.
“Students are also able to gain greater insight into a study area of their interest and it is hoped that this experience will assist them to make a more informed decision about their future tertiary studies.”
Participants in the program are not required to pay fees for their chosen course, giving them a unique chance to sample university life, study and assessment without having to bear the financial strain usually associated with tertiary study.
Courses are offered at the St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses in a wide variety of subject areas including agriculture, law, political science, mathematics, psychology, accounting and journalism to name a few.
“Some courses are also available via distance study, so that ESP participation is possible for students living in regional or rural centres,” Ms Gallagher said.
The program has become steadily more popular since its successful first year of operation in 1998.
“For ESP 2007, 80 nominations were received from students in 40 state and non-government schools from across Queensland,” Ms Gallagher said.
“The location of the schools ranges from inner city and suburban Brisbane, to the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and as far away from Cairns.”
Students are nominated by their schools in the last semester of year 11 and study one first year university course during their first semester of year 12.
They may then be able to gain credit for the course if they enrol in a UQ program at a later date.
This is the case for many ESP students, with a large percentage of them going on to study at the University in the ensuing years.
Jennifer Molloy, who studied an economics subject through the program in 2004, said it not only convinced her that she wanted to study economics at university, but also that she definitely wanted to study it at UQ.
“Even in the few hours I spent on campus each week, I really got to love the atmosphere of the place,” she said.
“ESP has been a great precursor to my studies…giving me a feel for what is expected in terms of independent work, lectures studies and exams.”
For more information about the Enhanced Studies Program, including what courses are available and how to apply, call 07 3346 9649, email esp@uq.edu.au or visit http://www.uq.edu.au/guidance/index.html?page=53132.
Media: For further information contact Lucy Manderson at UQ Communications (07 3365 2339) or Jessica Gallagher (3346 9649).
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