High school students in the Gympie area who are keen to start their tertiary studies early are invited to a special information session at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Gympie campus on Tuesday 8 September from 5.30-6.30pm.

USC will outline its award-winning Headstart program that enables Year 11 and 12 students to study university-level subjects and gain credits towards their Queensland Certificate of Education and a USC degree at the same time.

The University also will provide information about its ‘Early Offer Guarantee’ program, which provides an opportunity for eligible Year 12 students to receive a study offer from USC as early as November – rather than waiting until January for a QTAC offer.

USC Gympie Manager Graham Young said students and their parents could find out about eligibility, the application process, study costs, scholarships and what to expect from Headstart and the Early Offer Guarantee.

“Headstart allows high school students to broaden their education and life experience by studying interesting subjects alongside other university students on campus,” Mr Young said.

“At USC Gympie, there are courses in business, nursing, communication, education, health and social sciences available.

“High school students who complete two Headstart subjects are guaranteed entry into most USC degrees, provided any prerequisites are satisfied. The other advantage is that when they begin studying at uni full time, they will have already completed two first-year courses.

“This really does deliver a big head start on their classmates.”

Gympie State High School Year 12 student Chaise Mallett, 16, completed one Headstart subject at USC Gympie last year and another in the first semester this year.

Chaise, who plans to study Primary Education at USC next year, will speak at Tuesday’s information session about her Headstart experience and will be available to answer questions.

Jemma Brennan, who completed Year 12 last year and was guaranteed a position in the Bachelor of Nursing Science program, will also speak about her experience with the Early Offer Guarantee process.

Applications to participate in Headstart in Semester 1, 2016, close on Friday 30 October, 2015. To attend the information session, call USC Gympie on 5456 5800 or register at: www.usc.edu.au/headstart-gympie

— Megan Woodward