THE UNIVERSITY of Newcastle has announced additional alternative pathways to higher education.
Seven new diplomas being introduced by the university will cover a range of subject areas. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Mark Hoffman, said the diplomas will ensure a pathway for anyone who wants to attend university.
"Our students have faced extraordinary challenges since the beginning of last year. We want to remind them that there are many pathways into the University of Newcastle and many ways to succeed in their studies outside of traditional entry schemes," he said.
Professor Hoffman said introduction of the new diplomas is building on a successful trial of a Diploma of Engineering at the university in 2021.
"It provided a pathway into our engineering degrees for students who benefitted from a tailored learning environment in some subjects as a part of their entry into university."
The new diplomas offer a combination of first-year degree courses and supported pathway courses and can be completed over 12 months of full-time study or up to 2 years of part-time study.
Diplomas being introduced at the University of Newcastle are:
- Diploma in Arts and Social Science
- Diploma in Business
- Diploma in Education Studies
- Diploma in Environmental Science
- Diploma in Science
- Diploma in Information Technology
- Diploma in Built Environment
Diplomas provide students with academic credit that can be transferred to their degree of choice and will be available as a combination of on campus face-to-face, online and blended study options. The required selection rank is lower in comparison to an Undergraduate degree and if students do not have an ATAR, they can still gain entry based on past study, work, or vocational experience.
Professor Hoffman told the Newcastle Herald that the new diploma structure will be employed alongside the university's Open Foundation program, with the existing Newstep option being phased out.
"As part of this process, the university has restructured it's Open Foundation program and the new structure now accommodates students who previously would have entered NewStep, enabling them to progress into university with a program tailored to their specific needs."
