The Murray River Study Hub Program Manager Vanessa Leigh has urged recent Murraylands and Riverland SACE graduates, who may have been disappointed by missing their first university preference, to seriously consider applying for their second or third preferences through the increasingly-popular online university hub – now available locally.
The MRSH is the perfect entry point for new university students who may not have the resources to be able to move to the city to study, but can instead gain the same degree right here in the region.
For most online universities, there are only 2-3 weeks left until semester one enrolments end, so it’s vital that recent year 12 graduates who are considering uni, but have had to change their plans due to lower-than-expected scores, get a foot-in-the-door.
“Gaining the perfect ATAR score and starting immediately in your dream degree fresh out of school is not the only way to navigate to where you want to get in your career,” Ms Leigh says.
“It’s incredibly important for our 2019 SACE graduates to realise that there are a number of pathways to achieve their preferred uni course, but the first step is to enrol.
“Very rarely does your tertiary study journey start out as you expect it to.
The hub has just launched a campaign to demonstrate many inspiring local examples of people who have either started with a different degree and then (with successful first-year scores) transferred into their original first preference course; or in many cases, enrolled in their second or third preference and fallen in love with a new career option.
“Many industry leaders are embracing online study. It’s hard to now find an employer who doesn’t have at least one qualification that was achieved digitally,” Ms Leigh says.
“Completing your degree online gives you the exact same industry qualification and significance, as someone who chose a traditional mode of study. If anything, your ability to study online proves your increased capabilities in the space of time-management, responsibility, initiative, autonomous project management, proactivity and commitment – all skills desired by your future employers.”
For those who may be nursing some disappointment from missed first preferences and are now looking to pursue their second or third preference without the huge personal upheaval to the city, the hub’s online options are the perfect entry point.
“This year will be the first year that new year 12 graduates will be able to use the hub, and we love that it allows people to ‘test’ out whether uni is for them, without the huge commitment of having to move to Adelaide to study,” she says.
“Online study has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Technology, online videoconferencing, downloadable resources and virtual lectures means that there’s never been a better time to study uni online.
“One of the reasons our hub is such an incredible resource for the Murraylands and Riverland, is that it’s less disruptive, more accessible and more affordable for local people to study university. Plus, with an increasing number of country SA students completing their SACE in 2019 (3976 in fact), there’s never been a better time for industry and government leaders to consider how we can keep some of these developing young minds here in or region.”
In this changing world, where people have more demands placed upon them and less time, online study is the perfect option for new high school graduates, who need to balance work and lifestyle with their study.
Another key feature of the MRSH is the support students have from the local student advisors. With one each working in the Riverland (Kerryn) and Murraylands (Shaun), students have access to support, advice and trouble-shooting whenever they need it. Plus, they’ll also have the support of the MRSH partner universities – all of which have been delivering successful online and mixed mode courses to people all over Australia for years now.
View some of the courses on the MRSH website.
There are hundreds of online courses already on offer through the MRSH’s online listings, including criminology, business, agriculture, marketing, health, education, IT and more.
Importantly, the hub can support all of our local students, no matter what university they plan to study with. This may be through the use of the campus facilities (based in Murray Bridge, and soon-to-open in Berri), support from student advisors, or connecting with peers to network and learn from.
Anyone looking to study at the hub, or who wants to find out more, should visit the website at murrayriverstudyhub.org.au and fill out an expression of interest form.
The MRSH initiative has been made possible by funding though the Australian Government’s national $39 million Regional University Centres Program and through the support of key partner agencies, including Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland, the Rural City of Murray Bridge, Riverland G3 Alliance and TAFE SA.
People can also follow the MRSH online via our Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and LinkedIn profiles, and even subscribe to our monthly eNews to receive updates.
