Special Entry

1. Special Entry The University has a number of special entry schemes. Some are designed to allow applicants with special circumstances access to higher education. Others are designed to attract and reward certain categories of applicant (incentive schemes).

2. Special Entry • UQ-Link: • Background • The UQ-Link program provides equitable access to, and support for, higher education for school leavers who have experienced educational disadvantage as a result of financial hardship.

3. Special Entry UQ-Link: Eligibility This scheme is only open to domestic, current school leavers (ie Yr 12 in 2009), however students currently undertaking the Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation or the Senior External Examinations on a full-time basis may also apply. Applications are assessed by UQ. Students considered for UQ-Link special entry must be nominated by their schools and complete a UQ-Link Application form (available from the institution). Supporting documentation (including evidence of low income) must be provided. Application All students recommended for UQ-Link special entry must satisfy the normal prerequisites and apply through QTAC for a place at UQ.

4. Special Entry Special Entry • Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage (SCED) • Background • Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage (SCED) is a special entry scheme administered by QTAC to assist applicants who have experienced a situation beyond their control which has adversely affected their school or academic results, to gain access to undergraduate programs. The range of circumstances can include illness, disability, bereavement and other compassionate personal circumstances. SCED does not include personal life choices such as representative sports or social activities.

5. Special Entry Special Entry • Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage (SCED) • Eligibility • Applicants must submit a separate application to QTAC (including supporting documentation). Special Consideration requests are assessed at QTAC by the SCED Assessor. The SCED Assessor will, after thorough review of the case and usually after discussing the case with the school or other appropriate authorities nominated by the applicant, allocate a special consideration rating from 50 to 90. • Applicants receiving a SCED rating of 80 or 90 are then referred to the University for further action. • Application • All students recommended for SCED special entry must satisfy the normal prerequisites and apply through QTAC for a place at UQ. • SCED allows students which a rank/OP below the actual cut-off to access programs at UQ.

6. Special Entry • Alternative Entry for Indigenous Students • Background • This scheme seeks to increase the participation rate of indigenous students in higher education. Applicants may indicate on their QTAC application if they identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. • Eligibility • All applicants who indicate they are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background on their QTAC application will have their applications flagged for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit. The Unit will send application material for alternative entry to each applicant.

7. Special Entry • Alternative Entry for Indigenous Students • . • Application • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS) Unit administers applications for their Alternative Entry scheme. • Applicants must complete a separate application form demonstrating their capacity to pursue particular areas of study and submit this to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit. • Applicants who fail to meet subject prerequisites and/or whose entry rank is not competitive for entry may receive an offer on the recommendation of the ATSIS Unit and support from the relevant Faculty (or School in the case of Health Sciences). • ATSIS Unit staff will process the alternative entry applications, including referral to faculties where required, and will inform UQ Admissions of applicants eligible for special entry through the scheme. Once the President of the Academic Board approves admission, Admissions staff will force offers on the QTAC system as appropriate.

8. Incentive Schemes • Ipswich Early Offer Scheme • Background • The Ipswich Early Offer Scheme allows direct access to designated programs at the Ipswich campus for Year 12 students in the local catchment area (ie students attending designated state and private schools with the Ipswich region and western suburbs). The intention is to attract and retain qualified local students by making direct offers prior to QTAC’s major offer round in January. These students will also be able to take part in a special familiarisation program for the Ipswich campus.

9. Incentive Schemes • Ipswich Early Offer Scheme • Application • Application forms are submitted by the school’s Principal to the Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Ipswich by the closing date (mid October). These are then forwarded to the Admissions Office. When Year 12 results are released in December, each student’s results are individually checked and letters of offer are sent to eligible students. • Eligibility • Applicants must meet all subject prerequisites and must meet the OP/rank cut-off for the preferred program from the previous year. Therefore, if the cut-offs increase the student will still be eligible for an offer under the Scheme.

10. Incentive Scheme • Aerospace/Gateway Scheme • Background • This is an entry pathway into specific programs at UQ for students involved in the Aerospace project (a joint initiative of Boeing Australia, Education Queensland, Aviation Australia and selected schools).

11. Incentive Scheme • Aerospace/Gateway Scheme • Application • Applicants are nominated by their schools. The EAIT faculty forwards a list of approved students to Admissions. • Eligibility • Applicants must meet all subject prerequisites, however are not subject to the OP/rank cut-off. Once senior results are released in December Admissions sends formal letters of offer to the students.

12. Incentive Scheme • Bonus Ranks Scheme • Background • The Bonus ranks scheme offers an incentive for senior students to participate in Languages other than English (LOTE), Mathematics C and university enrichment courses. This scheme seeks to increase the historically low participation rates in these subjects. • The bonus ranks scheme is available to current (ie 2009) school leavers, who may receive up to five bonus ranks if they have completed approved studies during their Senior studies.

13. Incentive Scheme • Bonus Ranks Scheme • Application • There are no special application processes for this scheme, eligible students will be identified through the QTAC system and the bonuses will be automatically applied. Applicants compete for a place on the basis of the adjusted rank/OP. • Eligibility • - All domestic students completing an approved Australian Senior program • - Australian citizens completing an approved senior program overseas • - International students completing an approved Australian Senior program • Studies attracting the bonus ranks: • - 2 ranks for passing one or more LOTE subjects • - 2 ranks for passing Maths C (or interstate/overseas equivalent). • - 1 rank for passing one or more university-level courses.

14. Bonus Ranks Scheme • Studies attracting a Bonus: • 2 ranks for passing a Queensland Studies Authority LOTE subject (or interstate/overseas) equivalent • 2 ranks for passing Mathematics C (or interstate/overseas equivalent) • 1 rank for successfully completing a university-level course (eg UQ's Enhanced Studies Program, GU’s GUESTS program, etc) • Students may be awarded up to a maximum of 5 bonus ranks. No additional ranks are granted if a student completes more than one LOTE subject or more than one university level course.

15. Bonus Ranks Scheme • Restrictions: • Applicants must be completing an approved secondary school program in 2009 • Senior undertaken in Australia:ALL domestic students are eligible • Senior undertaken overseas: only Australian citizens are eligible