Passion counts in uni acceptance

Students who have completed Year 11 can apply for direct entry into an Australian Catholic University business degree through the university’s Passion program.

The Passion for Business (P4B) program provides applicants with an alternative pathway to tertiary study and an early offer within months of completing Year 11, in Commerce, Business Administration, IT,  Accounting and Finance.

ACU Passion programs recognise the motivation of pupils to advance through business and law.

For fourth year Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Business Administration student Lidia Ivancic, early acceptance alleviated the stress of her final year assessment in 2016 and opened a New Colombo Plan scholarship opportunity in Malaysia.

“It meant I could focus on what I wanted to do rather than whether I was good enough,” she said. “It definitely took the pressure off so I could prepare and make some informed decisions.

“Doing my Year 12 exams when I’d already been accepted into my degree changed everything. It took so much pressure off and I was able to do better in my exams than I anticipated.”

P4B is a well-established pathway program offering a pressure release valve for final year secondary school students seeking to study at ACU.

In another key development, applicants from Queensland and NSW are not required to apply via their respective state’s Tertiary Admissions Centre.

Demystifying entry into higher education is a plus. Successful applicants’ transition from secondary school is smoothed by regular communication with the University and the chance to attend events where they can connect with staff and students.

“It was comforting starting uni having a network of people who were in the same position, especially when you don’t know anyone around the campus,” Lidia said. “Just seeing a familiar face in week one was a leg-up.”

The application process for P4B is open now for students who have completed Year 11.