Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

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Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

Support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

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At UC, we welcome and support all Indigenous students pursuing a university education. Whether it’s course pathway advice and career, wellbeing and study support at the Ngunnawal Centre on our Bruce campus, or assistance applying for financial programs or scholarships, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your academic goals as part of UC’s Indigenous community.

Ngunnawal Centre

The Ngunnawal Centre

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The Ngunnawal Centre is the focal point for Indigenous students at UC.

The centre’s aim is to work with students to help them achieve academic success through educational programs and confidential support services.

The Ngunnawal Centre benefits

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Assistance for students includes:

  • study support and leadership development services, such as workshops, online resources, events and one-on-one guidance sessions
  • help with applications for financial assistance, like the UC Commonwealth Scholarship, or other UC scholarships and bursaries
  • free tuition for undergraduate students via the Ngunnawal Centre Tutoring Program
  • help navigating the CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program and referring to UC Careers for employment and Work Integrated Learning opportunities
  • confidential emotional and cultural support through UC's elder-in-residence
  • making Indigenous culture more visible on campus through events and university-wide celebrations
  • providing a student study space complete with access to PCs and Macs, free printing facilities and a kitchen.

Tutoring program

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander undergraduate students can receive up to two hours of tuition per week for each of the units they’re studying. Upon approval, students may access an additional five hours over the exam period.

A tutor experienced in your area of study will meet with you at a convenient time and location on Bruce campus or virtually via the Ngunnawal Centre Tutoring Program Canvas site.

Arrangements are flexible and based around your timetable, so can always be changed if necessary.

Become a Ngunnawal Centre tutor

Financial assistance

Financial assistance

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University can be expensive, so financial assistance schemes are available to help Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students with study costs.

ABSTUDY

ABSTUDY

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ABSTUDY is assistance for Indigenous students provided by the Australian Government; it’s accessed via Centrelink.

Scholarships

Scholarships

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Students can apply for a wide range of scholarships and bursaries from the University of Canberra and the Australian Government to help fund their studies.

Elder-in-residence

Elder-in-residence

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UC’s elder-in-residence, Aunty Roslyn Brown (Aunty Ros), is a Ngunnawal woman descended from the Bell and Brown families of the Ngunnawal people. Based in the Ngunnawal Centre, she provides Indigenous students with confidential support when they need it most.

Aunty Ros also encourages and promotes an understanding of and respect for Indigenous perspectives, cultures and values. This means that non-Indigenous students can also seek guidance on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander customs and protocols.

Pathways and opportunities

Pathways and opportunities

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If you’re an Indigenous student but haven’t met the admissions requirements for direct entry into your desired course at UC, alternative pathways and opportunities are available.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Program is a six-month full-time or part-time equivalent scheme run by UC College to help build the skills you need to take on a bachelor’s degree at UC. Successful completion of the program guarantees you entry into the first year of your chosen UC undergraduate course.

As an Indigenous student, you’re also eligible for five adjustment factors, with a maximum of five additional points added to your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or entry rank, increasing your overall entry score when applying to study at UC.

Explore all pathways

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