Uni at school programs provide the opportunity to read the same material as first-year uni students, hand in the same assignments, and get marked by university staff, but during your final years of school. Not instead of but alongside your core and selected subjects, you’d also be studying a university subject. For some students it could be a brilliant opportunity, but it takes commitment, so it’s worth understanding how it all works before you enrol.
What is a uni at school program?
A uni at school program lets high school students enrol in one or two university units while they’re still finishing school. These are generally the same introductory units that first-year students take, taught by university lecturers and held to university standards.
How you study can vary. Some programs have you on campus for lectures, some run entirely online, and others mix the two. At the end, you’ll be marked and receive a university grade, just like any other student in the unit.
How it differs from other uni programs
Universities run lots of activities for school students, and it’s easy to mix them up. The key difference is that uni at school is formal study: you enrol as a student, complete assessments and receive a grade for a university level course. Other options usually work differently.
- Experience days and open days give you a taste of campus life over a day or two, with talks, tours and hands-on activities. There’s no assessment or grade.
- Workshops and holiday programs focus on a particular topic or skill for a short time. They’re a great way to explore an interest, but they’re not university units.
- Extension programs sometimes delivered in conjunction with universities are a form of accelerated learning for students who’d like to be academically challenged
- Bridging courses are usually designed to fill a gap in your knowledge, such as maths, so you’re ready for a degree. They’re often taken after finishing school.
- Enabling or foundation programs offer a pathway into university for people who don’t yet meet the entry requirements for their chosen course.
Each of these are worth exploring, but if you want to study a real university unit while you’re still at school, uni at school is the one to look for.
Why are these programs offered?
Universities and schools both see value in them. For universities, it’s a way to support curious, capable students and give them a real look at what studying there involves. Students who’ve already had a positive experience on campus may also feel more confident applying later on.
For schools, it gives students who are ready for an extra challenge a way to go beyond the curriculum. It could also help making the leap from school to university feel easier, because students have already practised the routines and expectations of uni study in a supported setting.
What’s in it for you?
The benefits can be significant, from exploring a subject your school doesn’t teach, to finding out whether university-style learning suits you, and building confidence before you start uni properly. Some universities will even count your completed unit as credit towards a future degree. We’ve covered this topic in more detail in our article on the 7 benefits of uni at school programs, so take a look if you’d like the full picture.
The skills you’ll need
University study works differently from school, where your teachers probably check in with you regularly, remind you about deadlines and follow up if you fall behind. At uni, that support is still there, but you’re expected to go looking for it. If you’re considering enrolling in a uni at school program, these skills could help you keep on top of things.
Time management
This is a big one. You’ll be fitting uni work around school classes, homework, assessments and everything else in your life. Simple steps like making a weekly planner that shows your school deadlines and uni deadlines side by side could stop two big assignments from catching you off guard in the same week. Remember to look ahead, and if you have some big school assessments or exams coming up, a school competition, or a busy few weeks with work then, you’ll have time to make a plan or let your uni lecturers know what’s going on.
Independent learning
At uni, a lecture is just the starting point, not the whole lesson. You’ll be introduced to a topic and given an overview, then you’ll be expected to do set readings, make your own notes and work through ideas before tutorials. If you already enjoy researching a topic on your own, that’s a good sign that uni at school could work for you.
Academic writing
University assignments expect you to build an argument and back it up with sources, rather than simply show what you know. You’ll also need to reference those sources properly. Most universities offer free writing guides and support, so make the most of them. Practising this skill now could be a huge bonus in your first year and it’s always going to be handy if you choose a career where report or technical writing is important.
Asking for help
Nobody will notice if you’re stuck on something. Being willing to email a tutor, post a question on a course forum, or visit a drop-in session could is important. Not technically a skill, it’s an important strength to develop as many first-year students find tricky, so practising it now puts you ahead.
Things to consider before you apply
A uni at school program adds to your workload rather than replacing anything, so it pays to think it through carefully.
How your schoolwork is going
Start with an honest look at your current results. If you’re keeping up comfortably and still have energy to spare, you may be in a good position to take on more. If you’re already finding it hard to stay on top of things, it could be wiser to focus on school for now. Many programs also ask for minimum grades or a teacher’s recommendation, so have a chat with your teachers early.
How much time you have
Each university will give an estimate of how many hours a week a unit takes, so check this before you sign up. Then map it against your real week. If your schedule already includes school, a part-time job, sport training and family commitments, think about where those extra hours would actually come from. Remember to leave room for rest, too. Burning out halfway through the year won’t help your uni unit or your school results.
What it will cost
Costs vary a lot between programs. Some are free for school students, while others charge fees. Scholarships or fee reductions may be available, so it’s always worth asking. Don’t forget there may also be extra costs to think about, such as:
- textbooks and course materials
- travel to and from campus
- a reliable laptop and internet connection for online study
What happens if plans change
Find out what happens if you need to withdraw, or if you don’t pass the unit. Again, rules vary between universities and programs, knowing this upfront means you can make a decision with confidence.
Take the next step
A uni at school program can give you a real head start, as long as it fits with your schoolwork, your time and your budget. If you’re curious, talk to your careers adviser about which programs your school takes part in, then check the details on the university’s website. To keep exploring your options, have a browse of our university resources or head straight to the Uni at School Guide for all the programs we’ve found in Australia and New Zealand.
