Widening participation

We have long-standing outreach, admissions and support programs for under-represented groups, with a particular emphasis on low-SES, rural and Indigenous students. We are dedicated to increasing enrolments from students who may not feel that they have the opportunity to study at university.

Activities guide

Our activities guide includes information on all of our in-school and on-campus activities for partner schools in 2013.

2013 in-school and on-campus activities guide (PDF file, 117.12 KB)

Explore Uni

Each year, we have opportunities for Year 6-12 students to visit us, or can organise for us to visit schools.

Our Explore Uni program aims to encourage interest in university study by:

• increasing an understanding of what's involved in university
• supporting engagement in learning
• encouraging emerging aspirations.

2013 Explore Uni brochure and expression of interest form (PDF file, 346.62 KB)

All of the activities in this program are either free or heavily subsidised and are only available to selected schools in North Brisbane and Sunshine Coast South areas.

Contact the Explore Uni program for more information.

Applied Skills program

Year 11 students from selected schools in the Caboolture region can participate in the Applied Skills program at our Caboolture campus. This program gives students valuable academic skills that will help them in school and prepare them for university, including:

• time management
• essay writing
• referencing
• critical thinking
• research
• effective study techniques
• making presentations
• using online tools in the library and computer labs.

The program runs for 13 weeks, and students will need to commit approximately 4 contact hours a week. The Applied Skills program counts for 2 points towards the Queensland Certificate of Education.

We will provide:

• tuition fees
• teaching and learning support
• text books
• assistance with transport costs.

Who is eligible?

Students in the Caboolture region at selected schools can participate. Students should have a C+ or above in English or ESL, or an A in English Communication.

Students must make sure that they can handle the additional study load of participating in the Applied Skills program.

How to apply

Contact Gabrielle O'Brien via email to find out if your school is eligible to participate.

Adult learner social inclusion project

Our adult learner social inclusion project, Bridge to Study, aims to encourage, inform and assist learners who:

• haven't completed Year 12
• completed high school a long time ago.

We are collaborating on this project with Griffith University.

Bridge to Study

Background to our widening participation program

For schools and partner organisations, these documents provide a rationale for our widening participation program, and an overview of the program, including key milestones to date.

Rationale of our widening participation program (PDF file, 257 KB)

Overview and comprehensive description of our widening participation program (PDF file, 485.46 KB)

QUT is also the lead institution for the Queensland Statewide Consortium, which is a collaboration of Queensland's eight public universities and the Department of Education to undertake a range of widening participation activities.

The MOU (memorandum of understanding) outlines these activities, which are funded by the Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program competitive grant of $21 million.

MOU: Widening tertiary participation in Queensland: a coordinated approach (PDF file, 902.95 KB)

Background paper: A coordinated Queensland approach (PDF file, 241.01 KB)