news
CSU transition-to-uni program turns15
By AILEEN MACALINTAL
It’ s now 15 years since Charles Sturt University( CSU) introduced its program of low-cost short courses to help people make the transition to university. Study Link has been particularly helpful for TAFE students.
One of Study Link’ s benefits is that subjects are free for Commonwealthsupported students, but they’ re also affordable for others: depending on the subject, fees start at $ 90 and don’ t go higher than $ 300.
“[ It ] is about supporting students, not making a profit,” said Liz Smith, CSU’ s director of academic support. She said that Study Link was part of the university’ s commitment to enabling participation of all students. Since its inception in 1998, there have been more than 33,000 enrolments.
The rationale behind the establishment of Study Link was to help students from diverse educational backgrounds enter tertiary study.
“ Many have experienced educational disadvantage, or have had significant gaps in their education,” Smith said.
There are currently 19 subjects in the Study Link program, which are short and manageable at 13-40 hours and are delivered by distance education. Smith said the short courses provide the critical academic support that is needed to facilitate a successful first-year experience at university.
Courses include those that teach generic skills such as online learning; those that prepare students for entry into a particular discipline, such as transition to policing studies; and those that prepare students to succeed in high-attrition degree subjects, such as mathematics for calculus.
One course, transition to university study, teaches study techniques, time management, how to write essays and reports, and assessment processes.
There are also subjects on transitioning from VET / TAFE to university, nursing studies, writing and grammar, mathematics in science and calculus, statistics, and science with an introduction to chemistry, physics and bioscience.
The subjects are described as selfpaced, allowing students to manage their learning between existing commitments. However students are encouraged to complete subjects between university enrolment and the start of their first academic session.
Ray Eldridge, manager of the Indigenous Student Services, said Study Link was a positive initiative that provided all students, regardless of background, age and location, access to a university preparation program.
“ Many Indigenous students are firstgeneration university students, so access to this type of opportunity is fundamental to their success,” Elridge said. ■
8 | Issue 2 2013