Swinburne expands ATAR-free entry for COVID class of ‘21
![Young woman with headphones working from home](/content/dam/media/engagement/CROP-STOCK-1221478578.jpg)
Students will complete a short ‘next gen_now’ questionnaire as part of the application
In summary
- Hundreds of high-school students are being offered ATAR-free entry into university with the Swinburne Early Entry Program
- The program has expanded to include Swinburne Professional degrees, so there are now 41 eligible courses included in the program
- The program gives much needed certainty to ambitious high school students whose studies have continued to be disrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns
- Swinburne Bachelor of Engineering student, Anna To, received an offer as part of last year’s program and says ‘it was a big relief’ during a stressful time
Swinburne University of Technology is offering hundreds of driven high-school students the certainty of ATAR-free entry into university with the 2022 Swinburne Early Entry Program.
Launched last year, the program is expanding on its success to include Swinburne Professional degrees, which provide a full year of paid work experience before graduation. This brings the list of eligible courses to 41 across science, technology, engineering, arts, media and more.
The program will give much needed certainty to ambitious high school students whose studies have continued to be disrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns.
According to a recent Swinburne survey of these so-called ‘Lockdown Learners’, 47 per cent of Year 12 and first year university students in Victoria say COVID-19 has had an impact on their desire to enrol in University this year. Students cite doubt over getting the marks they need as a key driver of this uncertainty.
Swinburne’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Professor Chris Pilgrim, says the program will help motivated learners focus on their future and relieve some of the stress of exams.
‘Swinburne’s goal is to become the prototype for a new and different university that is truly of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of this, we’re offering a unique way for driven students to secure a place at Swinburne and access our work-integrated learning opportunities.’
‘The Swinburne Early Entry Program is designed to give students with fresh perspectives and committed mindsets the opportunity to take their next step.’
Students complete a short ‘next gen_now’ questionnaire as part of the application, which asks how they want to make an impact and how they see people and technology working together to create a better world. Schools are also asked for a recommendation and students must achieve an English study score above 25.
Feedback for the Early Entry Program was overwhelmingly positive in 2020, with students noting that the conditional offer for Swinburne gave them confidence going into their exams.
Security amongst uncertainty
Swinburne Bachelor of Engineering student Anna To, who received a conditional offer as part of last year’s Early Entry Program, says that the program allowed her to focus on doing her best, rather than worrying about a number.
‘It was a big relief,’ she says. ‘With the offer, I had a safety net. It made me a lot more confident and helped with all the anxiety I felt about exams and getting into uni.’
In a year overshadowed by COVID, which not only made studying more challenging, but had also ripped away major celebrations like formals and graduations, Anna To says that the Swinburne Early Entry program helped her focus on doing her best, rather than stressing about her final ATAR.
With a conditional offer in her back pocket, To says that her final results become more personal for her. In the end, she was pleasantly surprised by her result and was awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship.
To’s passion for problem-solving and helping others led her to engineering. She says that her first year at university has been a welcoming experience.
‘I really like it. It’s not as full-on as I expected, everyone has been very accommodating and it's easy to get help from people.’
In a male-dominated field, To is used to being one of the only women in her classes. ‘It’s not a new experience for me. But lots of people are very interested and open to conversation which is really helpful.’
She’d recommend all students apply for the Early Entry Program. ‘You never lose anything by applying,’ she says.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- Technology
- Science
- Engineering
Victorian students drive green energy transition through international hydrogen competition
Swinburne’s KIOSC, in collaboration with Horizon Educational and Gippsland Tech School, co-hosted the Hydrogen Grand Prix in Melbourne.Friday 26 July 2024 -
- University
The future of fashion: Swinburne launches groundbreaking tech-focused fashion course
Swinburne University of Technology is fusing high tech and high fashion to launch a new forward-thinking Bachelor of Design (Fashion).
Thursday 25 July 2024 -
- University
Swinburne achieves first Cygnet Award through SAGE Athena Swan program
Swinburne has achieved its first Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan Cygnet Award.
Monday 01 July 2024 -
- University
Future of National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) secured
NICA will transition from Swinburne to the Australian College of the Arts (Collarts), as part of a new agreement that secures the future of circus arts in Australia.
Monday 22 July 2024 -
- University
Swinburne among world’s top 15 universities for scientific impact
Swinburne has been ranked in the top 15 universities in the world for scientific impact across all disciplines, based on the proportion of a university’s papers that belong to the top 1 per cent most cited in the 2024 CWTS Leiden Rankings.
Friday 19 July 2024