News

Year 12 students can take charge of their post-pandemic future

Year 12 students can turn the COVID-19 pandemic disruption in their favour by applying for direct entry into an Australian Catholic University business degree.

The Passion for Business (P4B) program provides applicants with an alternative pathway to tertiary study and an early offer within months of completing Year 11, in Commerce, Business Administration, IT, Accounting and Finance.

ACU Passion programs recognise the motivation of pupils to advance through business and law, with countless undergraduates already en route to career success. 

For fourth year Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Business Administration student Lidia Ivancic, early acceptance alleviated the stress of her final year assessment in 2016 and opened a New Colombo Plan scholarship opportunity in Malaysia.

“It meant I could focus on what I wanted to do rather than whether I was good enough,” she said. “It definitely took the pressure off so I could prepare and make some informed decisions.

“Doing my Year 12 exams when I’d already been accepted into my degree changed everything. It took so much pressure off and I was able to do better in my exams than I anticipated.”

P4B is a well-established pathway program offering a pressure release valve for final year secondary school students seeking to study at ACU.

In another key development, applicants from Queensland and NSW are not required to apply via their respective state’s Tertiary Admissions Centre.

A successful application entails many benefits, not the least of which would be the security of fielding a conditional offer within months of completing Year 11, removing much of the stress and uncertainty that often accompanies the admission process. That is then converted into a guaranteed offer when the applicant completes Year 12.

Demystifying entry into higher education is another major plus. Successful applicants’ transition from secondary school is smoothed by regular communication with the University and the chance to attend events where they can connect with staff and students.

“It was comforting starting uni having a network of people who were in the same position, especially when you don’t know anyone around the campus,” Lidia said. “Just seeing a familiar face in week one was a leg-up.”

The application process for P4B is simple and open now for students who have completed Year 11.