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Is getting a university degree your dream?

Perhaps you didn’t quite get the grades in high school to get into your chosen university. Perhaps you are concerned about your English language skills. You don’t think you can get into university? There is another option.

Pathways programs, sometimes known as foundation programs, are study programs that are designed to help students get into a university degree program.
Pathways programs are run by universities or private colleges who have affiliations or agreements with universities so that some or all of the courses you take in the pathways program can be accredited towards entry into a university degree.

Some programs offer a general grounding in skills that you will need in order to succeed at university. However, more and more programs are award courses in their own right, resulting in certificates or diplomas in business, information technology, hotel management and many other areas.

The benefit of these programs is that you can work towards an award knowing that the successful completion will also get you entry into a corresponding university program.

2nd year entry

Many pathways programs can also take the place of the first year of a university degree, meaning that you may not lose any time by using an alternate route into university compared to a direct entry student.

A number of pathways programs are located on university campuses so you can get used to the university environment before entry.

Why do a pathways program?

There are many reasons to do a pathways program:

· Your school results don’t get you directly in and you want an alternate way to show you can succeed at university
· Some pathways programs are cheaper that a year at university
· Many pathways programs have much smaller classes than universities offering you more individual attention
· Pathways programs usually allow you to work on an award program (eg a diploma) whilst also working to get your English language skills to university level

What should I look for in a pathways program?

· Affiliation or articulation agreements with universities. Ask for information on the program’s university affiliations. Pathways providers will happily supply this to you. If they do not, they may not have official affiliation with a university and you should look for an alternative program.
· Entry process to university. Does the pathways provider allow for direct entry on successful completion or will you have to apply to the university? Is entry into 1st or 2nd year?
· Is there an award (eg diploma) for the pathways program. This ensures that even if you decide to not go on to university you will still receive a recognized award for your year of study.
· Size of the program. How many students are in the program? Are they on a university campus or in a private college? Smaller colleges can offer more personal attention, bigger colleges offer a more ‘university campus’ type environment?
· Cost. How much does the program cost.
· Services. Can the college assist with accommodation, banking, religious and other student needs.
· Success. Ask about the pathways program’s past success in getting students into university. Although not a perfect indication of your own success, past performance shows how much the pathways program has helped students similar to you.

Who runs pathways programs?

· Some universities run their own pathways/foundation programs
· Some universities have private colleges on their campuses
· Many private colleges offering certificates or diplomas have accreditation agreements with universities
· In Australia, Government run TAFE colleges have agreements with local universities, or run degree programs in conjunction with universities
· In USA, 2 year community colleges run many programs that can be articulated into a 4 year university degree