Excitement is building for new university students this week as they join orientation activities across University of Tasmania campuses.
Orientation Days have been running at the University’s campuses at Sandy Bay and the Hobart CBD, Inveresk in Launceston, West Park in Burnie and Rozelle in Sydney.
To prepare for the start of Semester 1 classes next week, students are taking part in course introductions, enrolment sessions and campus tours. At the same time, students are enjoying opportunities to mingle and make friends, free live music, entertainment and games.
The University’s Director of Tasmania Engagement, Ms Leanne Arnott, said apart from being welcoming and fun, Orientation-Week (O-Week) is a great chance for students to meet others and get to know more about their course.
“We really enjoy this week of welcoming our new students in an atmosphere that celebrates learning and making new connections,” she said.
“Education is a transformative experience, no matter what stage of life. Our students see university as a way of both bettering themselves and preparing themselves for future employment, and thereby contributing to a better society. It is really exciting for us to see the level of interest and enthusiasm from Tasmania and further afield for our courses.
“This year we have seen an uplift in applications to study with us.”
The number of students moving from interstate to study in Tasmania is a feature this year. This cohort is at its highest number ever, up 21 per cent on last year. The number of Tasmanian school leavers enrolling in their first year of university has increased from 2023, and the number of adult learners enrolling is increasing faster than the national average.
Most students relocating from interstate are under 30 and are enrolled in undergraduate degrees.
“The study areas they choose is varied, however degrees with a marine or maritime focus consistently attract interstate students, and health-related degrees, for example the Bachelor of Nursing, are also popular with interstate students,” Ms Arnott said.
“The record number of school leavers enrolling from interstate is great news for the university, for the community and for the State.
“Our goal is for every student to have an education that will equip them with the skills for the future, while making new and life-long friends and connections along the way.”
The University is seeing the results of promoting the Schools Recommendation Program (SRP) in mainland schools, following the success of the program in Tasmania. The SRP is an alternative pathway to the ATAR score entry system and is the main path of entry for Tasmanian school leavers.
Photos: Top - Third-year interstate students Grace Oxenham and Annabelle Smith with Engagement Director Leanne Arnott. Below - Tasmanian first-year student Felix Churchill, who received the highest possible ATAR and will study Engineering and Science. Photos by Peter W Allen
