USQ Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) student Clare Anthony took advantage of the Tafe pathway by completing a diploma before beginning her degree.
AN initiative developed between the University of Southern Queensland and Tafe Queensland to encourage more students to take up tertiary education has returned promising results.
More than 740 students have already joined USQ after studying at Tafe’s throughout Australia.
It is a 121 percent increase in 2011 and early results indicate an even stronger result for 2012.
The Queensland Tertiary Education Network, established in 2011 is the second initiative of the university, designed to strengthen the connection between industry, the higher education sector and the vocational education and training sector.
QTEPNet project manager Di Paez said the increase in numbers indicated students were taking advantage of new seamless pathways into a university degree from Tafe programs.
“There have been a number of opportunities opened up for prospective students,” Ms Paez said.
“Many Tafe’s now offer dual awards with USQ with the benefit of being able to jointly market courses that give seamless transition into degree programs and expand on the number of articulation pathways that are already in place.”
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) student Clare Anthony took advantage of the Tafe pathway by completing a Diploma of Events Management at the Bremer Institute of Tafe before beginning her degree.
“On completion, I was able to gain direct entry into a USQ business degree without having to reapply and it took one year off my three year degree,” Ms Anthony said.
“I decided to take this route as I wasn’t certain my OP would make the cut off to go directly into university.
“This way I still only had to complete a three year program, but I have a diploma as well as my degree.
“The Tafe to uni option really suited my situation and worked for me. USQ were extremely supportive and I think it is one of the best pathways to university I know of.
“There is no time wasting and you receive the credit you deserve for the hard work you already put in. If I can do it, than anyone can.”
Now in her final year of study, Ms Anthony said she planned to work as an accountant and continue studying to become a Chartered Accountant.
Source: The Chronicle 23rd August 2012
