University Preparation Program

The UNSW University Preparation Program (UPP) is an enabling program for adults aged 21 and over who either do not possess formal qualifications or whose academic qualifications do not satisfy the minimum entry requirements for admission to university study. The program has been designed to assess academic potential and to provide a realistic environment within which students can develop the skills to manage tertiary study effectively.

Satisfactory completion of the UPP does not guarantee admission to any specific program, but can be used as evidence of recent study when applying for admission to the University. Prospective students should note that total educational background, and not just UPP results, will be taken into consideration for admission purposes.

The UPP is a full-year program. Applications for UPP places, which number approximately 300 each year, open in early December.

2012 Program Costs

As part of UNSW’s commitment to widening participation, students are not required to pay fees for the UPP as the program is provided via enabling funding from the Australian Government. UPP students will incur some costs for materials they may need for the course they are enrolled in.

Eligibility for admission to the UPP

To be eligible to undertake the program in 2012 you must:

• be 21 years of age or over on 1 March 2013
• be either an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or hold a current Australian Permanent Resident visa
• meet UNSW's English proficiency requirements. Proof of English language proficiency is required if your previous schooling was not completed in English. Read the English Requirements Policy for further information and contact the Admissions Office to check your eligibility for admission to the UPP
• not already meet minimum entry requirements for admission to university (prospective applicants who have attempted studies since leaving high school must contact the Admissions Office for advice on their eligibility to enrol in the UPP before lodging an application)
• not be concurrently enrolled in any other program of study

Admission to UNSW Undergraduate Programs

The UPP is not accepted for entry to the following programs at UNSW:

UPP students are able to apply to all other UNSW programs, provided they meet any additional selection criteria.

Program structure and content

Students undertaking the University Preparation Program choose one of three streams depending on their intended area of undergraduate study:

1. Humanities stream - Suitable for programs in Arts & Social Sciences, Built Environment, COFA, Law. Offered over 2 semesters.

2. Science stream - Suitable for programs in Science and Mathematics. Offered over 2 semesters.

3. Engineering stream - Suitable for programs in Engineering. Offered over 3 semesters.

Depending on which stream students choose, the UPP involves students completing core and elective components of study.

UPP Core Components

UPP Course Component Details (Core and Elective)

University Orientation and Study Skills 1 (REGZ9000)
The University Orientation and Study Skills 1 (UOSS1) component is compulsory for ALL UPP students and is offered exclusively for them. No prior knowledge is required, except for English Proficiency. Topics covered in the course include orientation to the academic system, time management and critical analysis skills, preparing seminar presentations, essay writing, note taking from lectures and written material, examination techniques and an introduction to online learning. In addition to a 1 hour online component, students need to attend ONE of the 2 hour class sessions on:

• Monday 6 to 8pm OR
• Tuesday 6 to 8pm OR
• Friday 12 to 2pm

University Orientation and Study Skills 2 (REGZ9255)
University Orientation and Study Skills 2 (UOSS2) is a compulsory component of the Humanities and Science streams. University Orientation & Study Skills 2 builds on the fundamental academic skills studied in Semester 1. UOSS2 focuses on developing skills in writing and presenting critical reviews and reports by completing a small research project. UOSS2 will be taught in lecture and tutorial format (2 hours per week as above), and one hour online.

UPP Mathematics Skills 1 (REGZ9070)
UPP Mathematics Skills 1 is a compulsory component of the Science and Engineering streams. This course is designed to provide a level of competency in mathematics for students who have not studied HSC Mathematics (or equivalent) at high school and who wish to apply to UNSW programs with Assumed Knowledge in Mathematics.

UPP Mathematics Skills 2 (REGZ9072)
UPP Mathematics Skills 2 is a compulsory component of the Science and Engineering streams. This course is designed to provide a level of competency in mathematics for students who have not studied HSC Mathematics (or equivalent) at high school and who wish to apply to UNSW programs with Assumed Knowledge in Mathematics.

UPP Streams

Humanities Stream
In Semester 1, students undertaking the Humanities stream enrol in the core UOSS1 course (REGZ9000). On successful completion of this course, students enrol in Semester 2 courses. In Semester 2, Humanities stream students enrol in UOSS2 AND an elective component (one of the designated Gateway courses). By successfully completing the Gateway course, UPP students can experience first-hand the teaching methods, learning environment and workload of an actual undergraduate university course. Details of the elective component courses to be offered in Semester 2 2012 are available here.

Science Stream
In Semester 1, Students taking the Science stream undertake the core UOSS1 course (REGZ9000) AND the UPP Mathematics Skills 1 course (REGZ9070). On successful completion of the two Semester 1 courses, in Semester 2 Science stream students enrol in UOSS2 (REGZ9255) AND the UPP Mathematics Skills 2 courses (REGZ9072). Details of the course components for 2012 are available here.

Engineering Stream
In Semester 1, students in the Engineering stream undertake the core UOSS1 course (REGZ9000) AND the UPP Mathematics Skills 1 course (REGZ9070). On successful completion of the two Semester 1 courses, In Semester 2, Engineering stream students undertake 2 courses: Communicating in Engineering (ENG0360), and UPP Mathematics Skills 2 (REGZ9072). On successful completion of the two Semester 2 courses, in Semester 3 (ie Semester 1 2013) Engineering stream students enrol in 1 course. The program must be completed within the 18-month period. Further details of the course components are available here.

Hours per week
Depending on the UPP stream, students are required to attend classes on campus for 2-8 hours per week and complete some online components. Approximately 6-8 hours per week of additional study is also required for each component of the UPP.

Assessment
UNSW policy stipulates that students must attend at least 80% of classes. For the core study skills components, assessment is continuous and may comprise any combination of the following: class participation, seminar presentations, essays, critical reviews, reports, class tests, online activities and final examinations. Additionally, attendance is compulsory from Week 1 onwards. For the elective components, assessment may include a combination of class participation, maintenance of a learning journal, short written assignments, seminar presentations, essays, and a final examination.

UNSW Elite Athletes and Performers University Entry Scheme

A student who has been identified as an elite athlete or performer and who has completed an Australian Senior Secondary qualification (or equivalent) may seek admission to the University Preparation Program under the Elite Athletes and Performers University Entry Scheme. An elite athlete will have participated in sport at the level of national or international competition. Elite performers will have participated in significant national or international productions, competitions or events.

Applications close in January for Semester 1 entry. In addition to the UPP Application Form applicants will need to provide a statement outlining the reasons why they wish to undertake undergraduate study, and how their studies in Year 12 or equivalent were affected by their sporting/performance commitments. Relevant supporting documentation must be included.

Applications will be assessed by the Pro Vice-Chancellors (Students) Office. The PVC (Students) will seek advice from appropriate staff or other experts as to whether the applicant is an elite athlete/performer. If so, a place will be offered thereby waiving the minimum age (21 years) requirement. Elite athlete/performer applicants must be aged 18 or over prior to commencing the UPP.

For further information and assistance please contact UNSW Sport and Recreation.

How to apply

The next intake for the University Preparation Program is Semester 1 2013. Applications will open in December 2012. Please see the UNSW University Preparation Program (UPP) Information brochure, UPP Application form and UPP Course Component Details brochure (Core and Elective) for further information.

Further information

For queries in relation to admission to the UPP and/or undergraduate programs (eg. are you eligible to undertake the UPP? What undergraduate programs can I gain entry to after completing the UPP?) please contact the Admissions Office. For all other UPP queries please contact the Learning Centre.

The Learning Centre
LG13 North Wing Chancellery
UNSW 2052
Tel: +61 2 9385 2060
Email: learningcentre@unsw.edu.au

UNSW Admissions
Tel: +61 2 9385 3228
Email: ugadmis@unsw.edu.au