Bridging course

Start strong, stay strong

UOW's Bridging Course is a short, intensive program specifically designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to tackle your first-year university subjects with confidence.

The subjects offered as part of this course are especially helpful if you have little or no prior experience in a specific study area, have taken a long break from studying, or just want a refresher in a particular field.

This course is free for Australian (domestic) UOW students and will be delivered in person, with some online components.

If you have any questions, please read the FAQs below.


Introductory webinar

Students are required to attend an introductory online webinar and can choose from one of the following options during registration:

  • Monday, 16 December 2024
  • Monday, 13 January 2025
  • Monday, 20 January 2025

Apply now!

2025 bridging course subjects

About this subject

Commencing university means not only learning new knowledge related to your chosen discipline and future vocation: it also entails learning to research effectively, to understand assignment genres and expectations, to reference sources, and developing a repertoire of other important study skills.

This subject provides an introduction to studying at tertiary level and the key skills for academic success. You will learn about managing university systems, academic research, reading and note-taking strategies, essay writing and the different genres of academic writing, preparing for presentations and exams and managing workload. Through formative tasks, you will build an assignment and learn valuable tips and strategies that will enable you to hit the ground running.

Who should do this subject?

This subject is recommended for students enrolling in their first-year of university who want to ensure they have the core skills for tertiary study.

Subject timetable

6 days over 3 weeks, plus additional content to be completed online.

  • Monday, 3 February 2025
  • Thursday, 6 February 2025
  • Monday, 10 February 2025
  • Thursday, 13 February 2025
  • Monday, 17 February 2025
  • Thursday, 20 February 2025

Times: 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm each day

Location: In-person at UOW Wollongong

This subject is also available in-person at the following campuses, however the timetable may vary. Students who register for these campuses will be advised directly.

About this subject

The subject has been designed to provide students with an introduction to basic concepts in Biology that are covered in the HSC courses.

Topics include cells and molecules, classification, cell division (mitosis and meiosis) and DNA structure and translation. Major groups in the evolution of animals and plants are also covered.

Practical components of this subject are held in a laboratory environment.

Who should do this subject?

This subject is recommended for students enrolling in any first-year Biology course, who have a limited background in biology. 

Subject timetable

5 days over 1 week

  • Monday, 17 February – Friday, 21 February 2025

Time: 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm everyday

Location: In-person at UOW Wollongong

About this subject

We begin our adventure into chemistry on a small scale, discussing atomic theory and properties of elements, before moving through reactivities of ions to form molecules that we recognise in our daily lives. We then discuss fundamental reactions, including the formation of solids and acid-base reactions, as well as the quantification of these reactions centred around the conservation of mass.

Once we have discussed these core concepts in the lectures and practiced them in tutorial sessions, we will move into the laboratory and perform chemical experiments – carrying out, controlling, and analysing some of the reactions we’ve learned along the way!

Who should do this subject?

This subject is recommended for students with little to no experience studying chemistry who wish to understand foundational chemical principles that are highly relevant to physical and biological processes.

Subject timetable

10 days over 2 weeks

  • Monday, 10 February – Friday, 14 February 2025    AND
  • Monday, 17 February – Friday, 21 February 2025

Times: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm everyday

Location: In-person at UOW Wollongong

About this subject

Commencing university not only means learning new knowledge related to your chosen discipline and future vocation, it also entails building on your previous maths knowledge.

We understand that maths can sometimes be a bit daunting, or you may not have studied maths at a higher level in secondary school. This course provides an introduction to key maths skills for academic success. You will focus on core mathematics principles around arithmetic and algebra, as well as strengthening your problem-solving skills. Through formative tasks, you will build your confidence and capabilities in the language and techniques of mathematics that will enable you to hit the ground running.

Who should do this subject?

This subject is recommended for students enrolling in their first-year of university who want to ensure they have the core maths skills for tertiary study. 

Students studying Nursing, Business and Education in particular may wish to consider this course.

Note: Students intending to study Engineering in 2025 may find that the content of this subject is too basic for the level of mathematics required for an Engineering course.

Subject timetable

6 days over 3 weeks, plus additional content to be completed online.

  • Monday, 3 February 2025
  • Thursday, 6 February 2025
  • Monday, 10 February 2025
  • Thursday, 13 February 2025
  • Monday, 17 February 2025
  • Thursday, 20 February 2025

Times 9.30 am – 12.30 pm each day

Location: In-person at UOW Wollongong

About this subject

This subject has been designed to provide students with an introduction to those concepts in Physics, that appear to defy common sense, and are consequently often most misunderstood. These concepts include the nature of forces and their role in motion, work and energy. Difficulties with these concepts generally hamper progress in other areas of Physics.

The topics discussed include motion, vectors, coordinate systems, Newton’s Laws, gravitation, conservation laws, measurements and uncertainties.

The subject will include lectures, tutorials and practical work in our undergraduate Physics laboratories with the emphasis on problem-solving and learning by example.

Who should do this subject?

This subject is recommended for students enrolling in any first-year Physics subject, who have a limited background in physics.

Subject timetable

10 days over 2 weeks

  • Monday, 10 February – Friday, 14 February 2025    AND
  • Monday, 17 February – Friday, 21 February 2025

Time: 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm each day

Location: In-person at UOW Wollongong

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

UOW's Bridging Course is free for domestic students with an offer to study at UOW. Please note that places are limited.

UOW international students are required to pay $1,030 per subject.

Non-UOW students and those without an offer to study at UOW are welcome to register. The cost is $1,030 per subject.

Student required to pay the fee will have it added to their UOW tuition fees.

No. However, there will be tasks that must be completed while enrolled in the subject/s to prepare you for future studies.

An 80% attendance rate is required to pass each subject.

Students who have an 80% attendance rate will receive a ‘satisfactory’ grade on completion of the subject.

Yes. This webinar will provide important information about the bridging course and tips for commencing your university studies and developing study routine. It is also an opportunity to meet other students in your subject.

Yes. However, you can only undertake subjects that do not clash with each other on the timetable.

If you're studying at UOW Wollongong campus, the following subject combinations are possible based on the timetable.

Chemistry OR Maths skills AND Physics OR Biology OR Academic Skills.

A bridging subject will attract two credit points at a sub-bachelor level. This subject will appear on your academic transcript. However, the two credit points don’t contribute towards your UOW degree.

You can withdraw from the course at any point up until 30 December 2024 (Census date). If you withdraw after this date, an ‘unsatisfactory’ grade will appear on your student transcript.

Please direct further questions to student-success@uow.edu.au.