Pathways to tertiary education: Studying University enabling programs while still at high school

Abstract

University participation rates have been found to be significantly lower in low socioeconomic status (SES) areas in Australia, particularly where there is unequal access to academic programs. TLC-110 is an enabling, pre-access program designed to provide a pathway to university for Year 12 students from low SES backgrounds, who may not qualify via direct entry with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). TLC-110 students attend university style lectures and tutorials after school, for 30 weeks and develop critical thinking skills and selfdirected learning. This report outlines the rationale, structure, and outcomes of TLC-110 which has successfully transitioned students from low SES backgrounds into university from 2011. Survey results showed TLC-110 students reported higher university aspirations, expectations and beliefs than other pathway students. The benefits of university enabling programs to support aspirations when students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds experience limited opportunities to access a direct academic entry pathway are discussed.