While you be a bright student, there are times you might be unable to get admission into an Australian institution of choice owing a variety of factors. But this should not discourage you from pursuing your dream as you can always explore the Pathway options to succeed in your study in Australia aspirations.
Pathway programs are a unique concept and an integral part of Australian education system, allowing students the flexibility to study in their desired Australian educational institution, even if they are falling short on entry requirements (academic and English language), or missing the cut-off for their preferred program by some margin. With multiple intakes, lower entry requirements and smaller class size, it helps in building a foundation for an applicant, allowing them to blend into a bachelor’s degree without any hassle.
Learn about the intakes in Australia
These programs present an easier way to get enrolled in your desired course and universities making you eligible to pursue the same with ease. In this set up, once you have completed your diploma program in Australia, you can start with your second year in a bachelor’s program (with credit exemptions) via a degree pathway; resulting in completion of your bachelor’s degree in a stipulated time.
Pathway programs are designed to offer academic knowledge and English language skills required to meet the entry requirements of a university degree, while making your transition as smooth as possible.
Let’s say, you want to study in an Australian university after having completed your class 12th from their home country but you don’t meet the direct entry requirements (Academic/ English language requirements) of your desired undergraduate program. In such as case, you can opt for a pathway program – get enrolled in a diploma program of a related stream and eventually advance to second year of a bachelor’s degree in your desired course upon having completed your diploma qualification.
The diploma leading to a university pathway degree articulation is an effective learning technique for international students. It makes you easily adaptable to the study methodology, helps build a strong foundational base, and identify problem areas, approaching which with an analytical mind helps you become more self-reliant.
A wide range of Australian universities offer Diploma to Degree (Pathway) program options to international students, including the Monash University, the University of Adelaide, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Technology Sydney and many more, via their partner colleges and institutions; offering the same level of amenities, infrastructure and expertise to students enrolled in diploma programs, to help them navigate their academic journey successfully. In addition, students have the liberty to choose from a wide range of programs and disciplines, i.e. Business, Information Technology, Engineering, and Arts etc.
Diploma in a particular stream can help you pick a specialised degree to advance your career. For instance, a diploma in Business may lead into a bachelor’s program in Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Marketing, International Relations and so on. Similarly, a diploma is Information Technology, may lead into degree programs like Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Game Development, Computing Science and a diploma in Engineering may fetch you an opportunity to explore all fundamental streams of engineering, such as Biomedical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Data, etc. before you choose where your interest lies.
Contrary to the perception, pathway programs are easy on the pocket as well, considering the tuition fee for a diploma program is lower than bachelor’s first year tuition fees. In addition, students may receive additional scholarships from a pathway provider (for diploma) and subsequently for undergraduate degree on meeting the required cut-off percentage. This not only helps in bringing the cost of education down, while studying at the university of your choice, but also helps you graduate with two degrees (diploma and undergraduate degree) at a cost of one.
With lower entry requirements, adaptable approach, personalised approach and attention to students and multiple entry points; pathway offers the perfect opportunity to a student to study at top Australian universities and institutions, even if they are falling short on entry requirements. Plus, it helps in improving fundamentals of your chosen steam, communication skills and awareness before you lead into a degree program, eventually translating it into a successful career.