START QUT

Overview

• High-achieving year 12 students have an opportunity to extend their studies in their final year of high school.
• Sample university life and to trial up to two different areas of interest before committing to further study.
• Access all of QUT’s facilities and enjoy campus life in the same way as current university students.
• Once completed, you can receive credit for your studies, putting you ahead of your peers and setting you up for future success.

Applications open	1 March 2013
Applications close	17 May 2013
Start month	2013 February, July
Delivery	On campus: Caboolture Kelvin Grove Gardens Point External (Justice units only)
Course contact	Email: startqut@qut.edu.au Telephone: 3138 3181

Details

START QUT gives you the opportunity to study one or two university units, one each semester, in the same classes as current QUT students, while you're completing Year 12. You can select two units from across the university. If you are unsure what you want to study after high school this is a great opportunity to try out different areas.

What do you receive?

If you pass your unit/s and complete Year 12, you’ll receive

• credit for these units towards a related bachelor degree at QUT
• up to two bonus QTAC entry ranks, one for each START QUT unit successfully completed, added to your OP or rank through our Entry bonus scheme
• up to four credit points towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) if applicable.

How much will it cost?

START QUT is a scholarship so we will cover the cost of your tuition fees. However you will be responsible for any other incidental costs such as:

• textbooks
• photocopying
• transport.

Units

You can enrol in one of the units below per semester, in addition to your Year 12 studies.

You can choose a unit from a different study area in each semester (i.e. Science in Semester 1 and Creative Industries in Semester 2). This might be a good option if you are looking to undertake a double degree.

If you’re hoping to receive credit towards a degree for the units you complete, it's best to select those related to your chosen future study area.

Entry requirements

To be eligible you must:

• be an Australian or international Year 12 student in 2013
• be on an OP (or interstate equivalent) or International Baccalaureate pathway
• have maintained a minimum of a B in English, English Extension or English for ESL Learners throughout your Year 11 studies
• be achieving a B average across a minimum of five authority (or equivalent) or International Baccalaureate subjects throughout your year 11 studies
• be able to attend classes at a QUT campus: Kelvin Grove, Gardens Point or Caboolture
• be capable of undertaking university level study on top of your Year 12 workload
• have the support of your parents/guardians
• have the support of your school guidance officer/career counsellor and principal

If you don't meet these entry requirements it is best that you not submit an application – your priority should be achieving the best results you can in your Year 12 studies.

Expectations

Student

As a START QUT student you will be expected to:

• attend your START QUT orientation session in mid July
• adhere to the rules and policies of QUT, as outlined in the QUT Student Code of Conduct
• attend your classes (you may be marked on attendance and participation)
• contribute to group work assignments and presentations and complete all your assessment on time (including attending exams)
• complete your year 12 studies to the best of your abilities, with high school remaining your priority over university work.

School

As a participating school, you will be asked to:

• nominate only those students who have the ability, motivation and basic knowledge to successfully undertake the program and who meet the entry requirements
• nominate a START QUT school contact or mentor who will:
  • provide care and support for the students enrolled in the program
  • meet with students regularly to monitor their progress
  • identify any problems and report them to QUT
• notify QUT in writing of any student withdrawal
• work with students who withdraw or fail a START QUT unit to ensure they are able to make up any lost credits for the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) if required.

You will receive advice outlining the students who have been accepted into the program in the second week of the university semester.

Parents

As a parent/guardian of a START QUT student you will be asked to:

• support the student in their involvement in the program
• raise any concerns over the student's progress with their school's START QUT coordinator/guidance officer.

Information for parents about guiding your son or daughter through to university

Support for students and schools

The Student Recruitment team are available to assist applicants, school contacts and parents with questions about the program, areas of study and course content. Our aim is to provide guidance throughout the application process and to also maintain pastoral care for the students once they are enrolled at QUT. Regular contact with START QUT students is provided throughout the semester to ensure they are aware of key dates and requirements.

We also maintain regular contact with the participating schools to ensure the student’s welfare is being looked after from both a university and school perspective. Participating schools are provided with:

• a list of students accepted into the program to confirm their enrolment
• advice throughout the semester, if a student is struggling or not participating to their full capacity
• feedback about the student’s progress and results.

How to apply

Before you apply

1. Discuss the program with your parents/guardians to assess if it's is suitable for you. Things to talk about include:
   • the extra workload presented by the program
   • travel time
   • additional costs
   • how you plan to handle all of your commitments.
   You need the support of your parents to submit your application.
2. Get permission from your school. Your guidance officer/careers adviser and school principal must approve your participation before you can submit your application form. They will assess if you can handle the workload and content that START QUT presents.
3. Select your area of study and campus. You won’t need to select your individual units until after you are made an offer.
   To get an idea of what you can study, take a look at the list of the START QUT units. If your application is successful, you will then be asked to enrol into one of these units before semester one commences.
4. Once you've had a look at the units you’re interested in, check the unit outline and make sure you think about:
   • what campus the classes are held at, and how long it will take you to get to the campus.
   • what the unit is about and whether you will enjoy it.
   • how many hours you'll need to spend in classes each week (contact hours), and how much additional time you might need for study at home and working on assessment. Some science, dance and engineering subjects have four or more contact hours per week.
   • what types of assessment you'll have to do and how they're likely to affect your workload.
   • the timetable for the unit. Make sure it suits your school timetable. If the timetable isn't available, you should still submit your application on time. You'll be given the option to change your unit if the timetable does not suit your school timetable.
   See our Academic Calendar to find out the dates of the university semester.

Making your application

1. Complete the START QUT application form (PDF file, 215.13KB) which must include:
   • your Learning Unique Identifier (LUI). If you are unsure of your LUI, please check with your school contact
   • a copy of your Semester 1, Year 11 results. Your school contact should attach these to your application form.
   • signatures of your parents or guardians and school principal.
   Additional requirements for international students:
   • include copies of your current visa
   • paper visas must include the visa page and the photo page of your passport, copies of electronic visas must include the header of the email.
2. Show your completed application form and supporting materials to your school guidance officer/careers adviser. They will make sure all of the information provided is correct.
3. Submit your application form and any required supporting materials either in person at a Student Centre on any QUT campus or by mailing it to:
   
   QUT Student Business Services
   Victoria Park Rd
   Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059
   
   Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. Closing date is Friday 17 May 2013. Late applications will not be accepted.

What happens next?

If your application is successful, we will email a letter offering you a place in START QUT. The letter will advise:

• how to accept your offer and how to choose your unit for Semester 1
• how to get started at QUT
• details of the START QUT orientation sessions.

We may also send an email to request further information or supporting documents. Please ensure you get this documentation back to us within 10 working days as failure to do so could slow up your acceptance into the program.

All requests, offers and unsuccessful emails will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please use your personal email and not your school email as we will be contacting you over the school holidays.

So you don't miss anything, add the email addresses noreply.admissions@qut.edu.au and startapps@qut.edu.au to your safe list, and remember to check your junk inbox.