October 1, 2015

Summer Master Class boosting student success

The University of Wollongong Summer Master Class is helping students get a head start on their future.

Katrina Neall is ahead of the class. The Kanahooka High School graduate is revelling in her first year of studying a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics after getting a head start on her studies thanks to a UOW summer program.

“From the age of five I wanted to go to University,” she said. “I had more of a maths background and did okay in English and those sorts of subjects. When the HSC was coming up what I needed was a kick-start, some extra motivation.”

Katrina, the first in her immediate family to attend university, participated in the Year 12 HSC Summer Master Class program, part of UOW’s In2Uni initiative.

The program involves a three-week intensive course during the summer holidays for students who want to get a head start on their HSC preparation and experience student life on campus.

Successful completion of the program rewards students with six unspecified credit points towards their future UOW degree. It also guarantees them an Early Admissions interview.

It was while working with the In2Uni mentors, participating in lectures and tutorials and brushing up on her English syllabus, that Katrina discovered a love for politics and philosophy.

“I never really enjoyed English at High School but the approach during the Summer Master Class was completely different,” she said. “I want to go on and do my masters and maybe a PhD.

“And the ability to experience life on campus and see for myself what my time as a student would be like gave me the opportunity to prepare myself and kick into gear, making sure I would be ready for university when I got there.”

The next round of the program is offering students an expanded set of subjects to choose from across the five university faculties.

Students from schools in the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Highlands and Southern Sydney regions entering Year 12 in Term 4 of 2015 are invited to apply now.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Eeva Leinonen said: "The University’s HSC Summer Master Class Program is invaluable for enabling school pupils to experience being a student before they apply to go to university, while learning a university subject and gaining credit for it.

“This provides valuable support for their school work too as the university subject is connected to their Year 12 studies.”

Sponsorship from health insurers Peoplecare will help further enrich the Summer Masterclass program through sponsoring local students who are studying science, medical and health subjects.

For more information visit the In2Uni webpage.