Headstart Accelerated

How it works

Scholarship

Successful Headstart Accelerated applicants will be awarded a scholarship exempting them from tuition fees for up to 12 units of first-year university study, which is equivalent to two courses per semester.

Enrolment

For the purpose of their enrolment Headstart Accelerated students will be recorded as non-award students. Upon enrolment they will receive a student card which provides access to the full range of student services offered on campus and full borrowing rights at the Barr Smith Library.

Grades

Headstart Accelerated students will attend classes and sit examinations on the same basis as university students. Grades will be recorded and any student who passes a Headstart Accelerated course, and subsequently enrols in a University of Adelaide academic program for which the course may be presented, may receive credit for that study. This will enable students to fast-track their academic program or take a wider range of courses than usual. However, the main benefit of the Headstart Accelerated program will be the extra challenge and stimulation provided by university study.

SACE

Headstart Accelerated students may choose to credit some of their university studies toward their SACE and have the grades count towards their ATAR under the Headstart Studies scheme in consultation with their school (please note that the Headstart Studies program has different withdrawal conditions and there is a limit of 20 credits that can be counted towards the SACE). 

Please note that under the Recognised Studies rules, students who have completed the requirements of the SACE and are returning to "top up" their ATAR may not count Headstart studies towards their ATAR. 

Withdrawal

If a Headstart Accelerated student withdraws from a course at any stage of the year or fails that course, this will not affect their chances of university selection. No record of failure or withdrawal will be registered on the University's database.

Similarly, if a Headstart Accelerated student successfully completes units of study, this will not affect his or her selection into any undergraduate program unless they choose to enrol via the Headstart Studies program to gain credit for the SACE.

Mentor

Each Headstart Accerlerated student will have as a mentor a staff member from his/her home school nominated by the Principal. The mentor's role will be to monitor student progress and act as a contact person linking the University to the student within the school. They will not be required to provide academic support.

The University of Adelaide will provide the ongoing role of coordination and support. This will include:

• liaison between the University and Headstart students, their parents, principals and mentors
• tracking students' progress through their University studies
• organising academic and peer support for students.