Sixteen students from Maryborough’s Aldridge State High will have a flying start on gaining a university degree when they finish school in just over three weeks.

The Year 12 students have successfully completed a university subject through the University of the Sunshine Coast’s award-winning Headstart program.

The program offers high school seniors the chance to study tertiary subjects and gain credits towards their Queensland Certificate of Education and a USC degree at the same time.

Aldridge State High School’s acting Principal Jackson Dodd said participating in Headstart had motivated his students to undertake tertiary study.

“While the opportunity to complete a university subject is fantastic, the most important benefit is to experience and learn the skills of engaging with tertiary study,” he said.

“Most of these students will be the first in family to go to university and they have not had the benefit of the parent’s tertiary experience to inform them.

“This program reinforces to these students that they have the capacity and now they have the confidence to go forward and succeed at university.”

Through Headstart, the high school students attend lectures and tutorials on USC’s campuses and have full use of facilities and services.

Students are required to complete assessment tasks such as written assignments, oral presentations, or exams, and those who successfully pass two courses are guaranteed an entry to most programs at USC.

Mr Dodd said Aldridge High School was proud of results achieved by its students, with over half receiving a distinction or higher for their university work.

Year 12 senior Artemio Clifford, who gained a high distinction, has applied for the Bachelor of Law at USC’s main campus at Sippy Downs next year.

“It is great to get this ‘head start’ and hopefully go off to university next year knowing you have one less subject to do to gain your degree,” Artemio said.

Mr Amarandos said another 22 students from Aldridge State High had applied to take part in the program at USC’s Fraser Coast campus next year.

Enrolments for Headstart close on 31 October.

— Clare McKay