New pathway course broadens horizons for regional and remote students

09 Apr 2015

By The Record

The Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), delivered on the university’s Broome campus, has been established to provide students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for university study with the confidence, skills and knowledge to begin an undergraduate degree. PHOTO: Supplied
The Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), delivered on the university’s Broome campus, has been established to provide students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for university study with the confidence, skills and knowledge to begin an undergraduate degree. PHOTO: Supplied

The University of Notre Dame Australia has launched an innovative and unique program to ensure more students from regional and remote Western Australia have access to tertiary education opportunities.

The Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), delivered on the university’s Broome campus, has been established to provide students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for university study with the confidence, skills and knowledge to begin an undergraduate degree. The TPP is a tuition-free course for all Australian citizens.

The course aims to develop skills for independent university learning, including the development of essential skills in the areas of mathematics, academic reading and writing, and research.

Delivered using the Regional and Remote Delivery Model, students can participate in this program from anywhere in WA.

While students will need to undertake the unit ‘Communication and Essential Study Skills’ on the Broome campus, the remaining units will be available either online and/or in separate week-long study blocks on the Broome and/or Fremantle campuses.

“Our nationally-recognised research demonstrates that enabling programs are critical to providing a pathway to university for many capable students. Such students often lack the results required for university entry, but they are bright, and just need encouragement and tuition to leap ahead,” Professor Keith McNaught, Head of the Broome campus, said.

Students who successfully complete this program meet minimum entry requirements for a range of undergraduate courses at Notre Dame, including the Bachelor of Nursing program.

“Nursing, whilst it can be challenging, is a personally and professionally rewarding career and there are areas to suit just about every student. Being placed in health care services of the Kimberley opens students’ eyes to the health care needs in regional and remote communities in Australia, providing them with real-world learning experiences that stay with them throughout their nursing careers,” Sally Clark, Assistant Dean of the School of Nursing & Midwifery, said.

On-campus accommodation is available for students who wish to study on the Broome campus for a short or extended period of time.

To apply for the Tertiary Pathway Program, contact the Broome campus at broome.courses@nd.edu.au for an application form