Fifteen Aldridge State High School students will walk out of school for the last time today knowing they have already secured a place at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

The seniors are among scores of Fraser Coast students to take advantage of USC’s Early Offer Guarantee that enables students to apply for entry into an undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released.

Nettie Sillitoe, Lindsay Massey, Ashley Vicic and Artemio Clifford are some of the successful Aldridge State High students who will not have to wait for Overall Positions (OPs) to be released in mid-December before receiving a university offer.

Ashely yesterday received an offer to enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing Science at USC’s Fraser Coast campus, while Lindsay was offered a place in Nursing at the main campus at Sippy Downs.

Artemio received an offer to enrol in a Bachelor of Laws while Nettie has gained early entry into a double degree in Laws and Journalism.

Under the Guaranteed Early Offer scheme, USC makes the offers based on the recommendations of school Principals who consider the students’ academic potential, skills, talents and motivation to succeed at university.

Aldridge State High School acting Principal Jackson Dodd said the Early Offer Guarantee helped to raise the aspirations of the students.

“It can remove some of the barriers to higher education for students and greatly assists those who are the first in their families to attend university,” he said.

Applications are still open via QTAC for more than 100 programs at USC in 2017.

More than 15 degrees are offered at USC’s Fraser Coast campus next year including new programs in Animal Ecology and Tourism, Leisure and Event Management, as well as first-year courses in Science, Social Work, Counselling, Psychology and Social Science.

Full degrees are offered in Nursing Science, Business, Marketing, Accounting, Human Services and Primary Education.

USC also offers a free university bridging program called Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP). Students who complete TPP can gain direct entry to most USC programs.

— Clare McKay