How it works

Successful Headstart applicants will be awarded a Scholarship, exempting them from tuition fees for up to 12 units (i.e. a half-year's workload) of first year university study.

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

Headstart students will attend classes and sit examinations on the same basis as other students. Grades will be recorded and may be used for status if the student is later admitted to an academic program. 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 scheme will be the extra challenge and stimulation provided by university study.

Each Headstart 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.

Any student who passes a Headstart course, and subsequently enrols in a University of Adelaide academic program for which the course may be presented, will be granted credit for that study. If a 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 student successfully completes units of study, this will not affect his or her selection into any undergraduate program.

The University of Adelaide will provide an 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.