Headstart Studies Scholarship Program

The University of Adelaide's Headstart scholarship program was launched in 2001. It was developed in consultation with schools to meet the needs of gifted and exceptionally motivated secondary school students who require a challenge beyond the Year 12 curriculum.

With changes to the SACE beginning in 2011, we saw an opportunity to extend the invitation to a wider group of students, so the old Headstart scholarship program has given rise to two new programs, each with a slightly different focus.

The Headstart Studies program is open to high acheiving students who wish to do some university studies as part of the SACE. The SACE Board has agreed that, from 2011, students satisfactorily completing a university subject as part of their secondary studies will gain credit towards their SACE and can count it towards their ATAR.

Students are able to study up to one subject each semester, which will count towards all or part of the ‘flexible fourth’ option for Stage 2 studies (maximum of 20 credits). The courses can be chosen from the range of Headstart courses that do not require any Year 12 prerequisites.

Alternative entry for gifted and talented students who are accelerated and don't intend to count the studies towards their SACE is available through Headstart Accelerated.

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.