High school students set to study at UQ

A record number of secondary school scholars will be among thousands of first-time students starting their academic careers when 2009 classes begin at The University of Queensland next week.

Since 1998, the University's Enhanced Studies Program (ESP) has provided high-achieving year 12 students with the opportunity to pursue an area of interest and "test drive" university life by studying a university course while still attending high school.

This year, over 150 students have been accepted into the program, the largest cohort in the program’s history. Students can opt to study courses at UQ’s St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses and are able to choose from a wide variety of subject areas.

UQ Student Recruitment Manager Dr Jessica Gallagher said ESP students were treated like any other university students — they attend lectures and tutorials with other students, complete assessment and had access to the University's many services and facilities.

"Some courses are also available to study via distance, so that students living in regional or rural centres may participate," Dr Gallagher said.

"This year we have students from schools located as far away as Bundaberg and Cairns enrolled in the program."

Interest in the 2009 program exceeded expectations with the Student Recruitment Team receiving over 20 percent more applications than last year.

The commendable achievements from 2008 ESP graduates may have contributed to this demand with 93 percent of successful students achieving grades of credit or higher, 25 percent receiving an offer of one of UQ's new Academic Scholarships and over 75 percent commencing their degree programs at UQ in 2009.

"It is encouraging to see such a large percentage of ESP students achieving such outstanding results and then returning to UQ to complete their tertiary studies," Dr Gallagher said.

The ESP students were officially welcomed to UQ by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Deborah Terry and the Student Recruitment Team, at a special orientation session on February 16.

For more information about the program, please call 07 3346 9649, email esp@uq.edu.au or visit www.uq.edu.au/guidance/esp.

Media: For further information contact Dr Jessica Gallagher (07 3346 9649 or j.gallagher@uq.edu.au).