University of Sydney
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The University of Sydney Widening and Participation area is a dedicated program with the aim of making university as accessible and affordable for as many low-SES students as possible. The program has many activities under its remit but an example of key ones include:
- Early Offer Year 12 (E12) entry (reduced ATAR entry and $5,000 scholarship for successful students who are Low-SES, Regional or remote) - https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/admission-pathways/early-offer-year-12-scheme.html
- The Broadway Scheme is our Education Access Scheme (EAS) for students whose schooling has been impacted during year 11 and/or 12. They may be eligible for up to ten adjustment factors depending on their course.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/admission-pathways.html
- Gadigal Scheme (reduced entry, academic enrichment program pre-commencement for Indigenous students) assists students with admission to university by allowing their application to take in to account interests, motivation and goals, rather than just considering academic results.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/admission-pathways.html

We also do a lot of outreach activities with underrepresented cohorts such as
-High school programs that build capacity and raise aspiration for higher education among regional and Low-SES high school students.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/schools/widening-participation/high-school-programs.html
-Indigenous and regional student on-campus residential programs such as the Wingara Mura - Bunga Barrabugu Summer Program and Ngara (Listen, Hear, Think) Future Friday Program.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/schools/widening-participation/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-programs.html
-regional roadshows and expos to advise prospective students on university entry.

Access and Participation Plans for 2020/2021 – summarises outreach work to support students from diverse backgrounds. See attachment – note that this version will be updated into a new template but the initiatives remain the same.

The Student Leader project offers paid positions at Widening Participation and Outreach events and programs across the year. These are in recognition of the efforts and contributions of our volunteers and/or student involvement in other university community and outreach initiatives. A Student leader is expected to:
- work collaboratively with Widening Participation and Outreach staff, faculty-based facilitators and presenters, and school staff to ensure the safety, supervision and efficient guidance, engagement and participation of students around the University of Sydney and surrounding environments.
- be a positive role model, and mentor on residential programs
- demonstrate enthusiasm about the benefits of higher education and be eager to share their knowledge and experiences with others.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/student-leader.html

Faculties have bespoke programs, the aims of which is to make coming to the University more accessible. For example, our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) runs a program for high school students called 'Transformation & Leadership for Widening Student Participation'.