Uni open days: Check out our comprehensive guide
It’s that time of the year when school leavers start considering further education options, and many Queensland institutions are throwing open their doors for prospective students this month.
QLD News
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WITH 2020 fast approaching, some of Queensland’s biggest universities and TAFE Queensland are opening their doors to give prospective students a taste of university life.
New courses on offer at the various institutions for 2020 include computer science, cyber crime and mechatronic engineering, while degrees in nursing, medicine, education, business and veterinary science remain among the most in-demand.
UQ deputy vice-chancellor Joanne Wright said the leap from high school to university could be overwhelming, which was one of the reasons why open days were a great chance for students to check out the campuses for themselves.
“We have a full program on Sunday and we’re expecting around 20,000 students and their families to visit the St Lucia campus to explore, learn and experience uni life,” Professor Wright said.
TAFE Queensland also has a huge range of courses on offer, and Brisbane general manager Paul Wilson said it was important for students to remember there were many different pathways into a dream career.
“One of our current building design students received an OP1 and knocked back university offers to study with TAFE Queensland, because he found our course to be the most highly regarded amongst industry,” Dr Wilson said.
“In his opinion, this very practical course would put him in the best position upon graduation to find his dream job, and I tend to agree with him.”
Check out The Courier-Mail’s guide to August open days below:
THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Sunday, August 4, 9am-3pm
St Lucia campus
Sunday, August 18, 9am-3pm
Gatton campus
As Queensland’s largest university, UQ expects thousands of prospective students and their families to visit their St Lucia campus on Sunday, with plenty to see and do.
“At UQ, we’re dedicated to teaching excellence, which is one of the reasons why our students have the highest employment rate in Queensland after they graduate,” deputy vice-chancellor Joanne Wright said.
“We’re encouraging visitors to join a walking tour, experience the Great Court hub of activities, visit the study area precincts, and ask as many questions as they need about careers, programs and courses.”
WHAT’S ON:
* More than 90 information booths with staff and students from different programs on hand to answer questions
* Demonstrations, activities and information sessions
* Music and food trucks in the Great Court
* Regular campus walking tours
* Visitors should download the UQ360 app to plan their open day visit, get real-time updates, maps and the open day program
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST
Sunday, August 4, 10am-1pm
Caboolture campus
Students interested in joining USC’s Caboolture campus or their new Moreton Bay campus, currently under construction and set to open in time for Semester 1 2020, are invited to attend this weekend.
The university is also set to offer a range of new degrees next year including Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering.
USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the opening of the new campus would be a game-changer for the region north of Brisbane.
“USC Moreton Bay will have almost 50 jobs-focused undergraduate programs available right from the first year,” he said.
“Our open day information sessions will give prospective students and their families plenty of details about the wide range of study opportunities on offer.
“Visitors will also hear about the state-of-the-art teaching spaces, including engineering labs, nursing labs and a makerspace.”
WHAT'S ON:
* One-on-one advice for prospective students from lecturers
* Information booths about how to apply, study overseas and land scholarships
* Presentations specifically for high school leavers
* Check out more information on the new, state-of-the-art Moreton Bay campus
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY
Thursday, August 8, 3pm-6pm
Brisbane campus
Saturday, August 10, 9am-1pm
Mackay Ooralea and Mackay City campuses
Saturday, August 10, 9am-1pm
Bundaberg campus
Sunday, August 11, 9am-1pm
Cairns campus
Tuesday, August 13, 4-6.30pm
Noosa campus
CQU is hosting multiple open days across its campuses, giving students a glimpse into what’s on offer wherever they may be considering in studying.
WHAT’S ON:
* Have an in-depth explore of the facilities on offer
* Meet teaching staff and current students
* Have access to comprehensive career guidance and advice
* Welcome packs
* Pre-register and go in the running to win a MacBook Air
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY
Sunday, August 11, 9am-2pm
South Bank, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses
Griffith University is hosting three huge open days later this month, with plenty to show off to prospective students.
The university has a range of new degrees and courses on offer for students next year, including in clinical exercise physiology, dental hygiene, creative industries, data science and cyber crime and security.
WHAT'S ON
* Interactive demonstrations and information sessions
* Campus and lab tours
* Meet with staff and student ambassadors
* Information on scholarships and applications
* Welcome packs
* Griffith app has an online planner tool to help curate your day
TAFE QUEENSLAND
Sunday August 11, 10am-2pm
South Bank campus
TAFE Queensland at South Bank will be home to a party-like atmosphere at their open day, with prospective students and their families invited to check out the campus and what is on offer.
A number of new courses for 2020 will be announced by late 2019 including additional courses under TAFE’s Sports Academy Program.
TAFE Queensland general manager Dr Paul Wilson said there was something for everyone.
“At TAFE Queensland we have hundreds of courses that prepare our next generation of IT, health, construction, legal, administrative and creative professionals for the workforce,” he said.
“We even have niche special interest courses like jewellery making and sports academy programs
“Our most popular courses today are nursing, fashion, building design, engineering and gaming, but with Brisbane’s booming five-star hotel and hospitality industry we are also seeing growing interest in specialised training in this area.”
WHAT’S ON:
* Tour the campus and speak to experienced teachers and students
* Watch live classes taking place and have a go at gaming
* Fun and free interactive activities on offer including earring making, pottery, hair and make-up styling and smoke-bomb photoshoots
* Cupcake decorating or make your own pizzas, rice paper rolls or mocktails
* Former student and TV personality Cade Franklin will talk about his experience studying gaming with TAFE Queensland and his career
* Live music and free BBQ
JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
Sunday, August 11, 10am-2pm
Townsville
Sunday, August 25, 10am-2pm
Cairns
Tuesday, September 17
Virtual open day
Students can explore not only JCU’s campuses but also on-site accommodation facilities at the university’s upcoming open days.
Their virtual open day offers an opportunity to explore from home, as well as live chat with staff and students and explore the virtual campus.
Deputy vice-chancellor Laura-Anne Bull said the university was focused on giving students a great start to their careers.
“JCU students are highly sought after by employers and visiting our open days will let you see why – the great facilities we have, the real life experiences embedded in our courses and the amazing staff we have ensuring our students have the best experience at JCU.
“If you haven’t visited the JCU campuses for a while or ever before, I’d encourage you to come out and have a look around. I guarantee you’ll discover something new.”
WHAT’S ON:
* Opportunity to explore on-campus accommodation facilities
* Can talk one-on-one with lecturers, current students and Alumni about studying at JCU
* Insightful presentations and tours around the campus
* Hands-on interactive activities in all areas of study
* Chance for students check out the range of different clubs and societies to join
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
Sunday August 18, 10am-2pm
Toowoomba
Saturday August 24, 10am-1pm
Ipswich
Students are invited to check out the university’s world-class facilities and have the chance to speak to leading academics.
On offer for the first time in 2020 by USQ will be a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Science (Animal Science), Master of Adaptive Leadership and Master of Editing and Publishing.
Also in 2020 USQ’s popular Bachelor of Aviation will be offered at the University’s Toowoomba campus for the first time, while their Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music) will be offered at the University’s Springfield campus for the first time.
Other degrees proving popular with students include the Bachelor of Science (Astronomical and Space Sciences) and Master of Science (Astrophysics).
USQ is also the only Queensland University to offer a degree in surveying, with their Bachelor of Spatial Science (Surveying).
WHAT’S ON:
* Interactive demonstrations
* Chance to get creative in the USQ Makerspace.
* A visit from an Army helicopter
* Live entertainment
* 3D food printing
* Virtual reality experiences
* Information sessions and interactive demonstrations.
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