14 August 2020: The University of Canberra has retained the top spot in the ACT for full-time employment and starting salary for graduates for the third year in a row, according to the 2021 Good Universities Guide.
“The University of Canberra has always maintained a focus on ensuring our graduates are experienced and job-ready, with work-integrated learning a major element of every UC degree,” said Professor Paddy Nixon, Vice-Chancellor and President.
The University also earned the top ranking in the ACT for social equity, First-Generation students, learning resources, skills development and study support. UC maintained its five-star rating for teaching quality, placing it in the top 20 percent in Australia.
“In keeping with our ethos of life-long learning, and access for all students from Canberra, our region and the nation, UC’s top-ranking results in social equity and First-Generation students proves our commitment to ensuring higher education is in reach for everyone,” said Professor Nixon.
“It is testament to the dedication of our staff—as evidenced every day throughout 2020’s unique circumstances—that our students rate our teaching quality so highly, and that is being seen in the results for our students entering the workforce on graduation.”
The Good Universities Guide is used by schools and careers advisors across Australia, and presents course information to potential university applicants, along with university profiles and ratings across a number of categories.
The University also ranked number 1 in the ACT for teaching quality, learning resources, overall quality of educational experiences, skills development, student support, learner engagement and full-time employment across almost 90 indicators in specialist subject areas in all faculties – from architecture, to business management, communications to information systems, nursing to law, pharmacy to education and many more.
Yesterday, the University of Canberra’s UC Uplift Package saw more than 1000 early entry offers to school students based on the recommendation of their school. The majority of these students are from the ACT and surrounding region.
“In developing the UC Uplift Package, we actively engaged with a number of ACT schools in order to ensure that our response meets the needs and best interests of both schools and their students. We strongly believe that through UC Uplift, no year 12 student will be left behind due to COVID-19.”
The UC Uplift Package includes the special COVID-19 early entry round and a range of other alternative pathways such as the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS), the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) and Portfolio Entry arrangements.
In both UC’s special early offer round in August and the SRS, students receive offers based on the recommendation of their school. In making these recommendations, schools consider factors including the student’s aptitude for tertiary study and are able to take into account factors, including, but not limited to, Year 11 results.
Through the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) students who have been disadvantaged are able to receive additional points which are added to their ATAR to support their university selection rank. Among other factors, this year EAS will include additional points for students who have a parent or guardian that has received Job Keeper or Job Seeker for at least three months.
“The University of Canberra is committed to ensuring our current students and our future students are not disadvantaged due to the adjustments we have all had to make so far this year,” said Professor Nixon.
