The program really supported me to refresh my knowledge and prepare for university-level study.
The Uni-Ready Program is a free* pathway to university for domestic students** who don’t meet the usual entry requirements.
Whether you're finishing school, returning to study or exploring a new career, you'll build the skills, knowledge and confidence to take your next step. With options designed to suit different backgrounds and circumstances, you can find a way into university that works for you.
*This is a Commonwealth Government funded program, meaning there are no fees charged to undertake the course.
**You are considered a Domestic Student if you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent resident.
We know every student’s situation is different. Explore the programs below to find the right fit for your circumstances and how you want to study.
FREE COURSE
STANDARD
Don't know where to start? Check out our flagship Uni-Ready Program.
Free for eligible students. Complete in 6 or 12 months.
FREE COURSE
FOCUSED
Designed for students who completed high school within the last 18 months.
Free for eligible students. Complete in 5 weeks.
Participants will experience a full-time timetable of classes, similar to a school week.
Haven't completed secondary school in the last 18 months? Other applicants may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
FREE COURSE
ON DEMAND
Study our flagship Uni-Ready Program online, at your own pace.
Free for eligible students.
Mathematics is not available through this option.
FREE COURSE
FOCUSED
Designed for current and former Australian Defence Force personnel.
Free for eligible students. Complete in 5 weeks.
What you'll study:
Complete Foundations of Academic Literacies (Military), building academic skills and degree-related knowledge within one topic.
FREE COURSE
STANDARD
Designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Free for eligible students. Complete in 14 weeks.
What you'll study:
Complete Foundations of Academic Literacy (Indigenous), building academic skills and degree-related knowledge within one topic.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting started, studying and where the Uni-Ready Program can lead to.
Hear from students about their Uni-Ready experience.
The first step toward Jasmine’s dream career
With a five-month-old baby, Jasmine never imagined going to uni again. But the free Uni-Ready Program gave her the flexibility, support and confidence to trade agriculture for a career in midwifery.
Nicola’s first step to Paramedicine
After leaving high school due to health issues, Nicola thought university wasn’t possible. The Uni-Ready Program helped her rebuild skills, gain confidence and take her first step toward paramedicine.
Former Uni-Ready Program student, now in Psychology
Uni-Ready Program student
Uni-Ready Program student
The program really supported me to refresh my knowledge and prepare for university-level study.
When I got one of my grades back, I thought, ‘You know what? I can actually do this.’
The amazing lecturers exposed me to ‘remote’ university, encouraging my aspirations and pushing me to achieve my best.
Former Uni-Ready Program student, now in Psychology
Uni-Ready Program student
Uni-Ready Program student
The program really supported me to refresh my knowledge and prepare for university-level study.
When I got one of my grades back, I thought, ‘You know what? I can actually do this.’
The amazing lecturers exposed me to ‘remote’ university, encouraging my aspirations and pushing me to achieve my best.
Our teaching and support staff are passionate about helping students succeed. They understand the challenges of returning to study and provide study support, flexible options and personalised career and course advice.
Dr Lauren Butterfield
Lecturer & Topic Coordinator
Lauren is passionate about helping her students discover a love of learning. She has over ten years experience teaching academic writing and communication, English language, study skills, and academic integrity.
When she's not teaching, she loves reading, travelling, and swing dancing.
Jane Habner
Lecturer & Topic Coordinator
Jane has taught in the Uni-Ready Program for many years and is dedicated to supporting students as they undertake their academic and cultural transition into university.
Outside of work Jane enjoys playing pickleball and, more recently, her colleagues have said they think she has made pickleball her entire personality.
Dr Grace Chipperfield
Lecturer & Topic Coordinator
Grace completed her PhD in Creative Writing at Flinders in 2020 and has taught the Uni-Ready Program for several years and loves getting to know her students and helping them reach their goals.
If she wasn’t at Flinders, she’d run a cat shelter-café-bookstore where she could read, sip coffee, and play with cats all day!
Katherine Perrotta
Associate Lecturer
Katherine teaches academic skills and has a background in film and media studies. She’s passionate about helping students write with confidence and find their own voice.
Outside work, she knits, reads, and hangs out with her greyhound, George.
It’s a free university pathway program that helps you get into a Flinders degree if you don’t meet the usual entry requirements. Think of it as your stepping stone to uni. You’ll build your academic skills, get used to university-style learning, and prepare for the degree you want to study next.
You’ll do a mix of assignments and practical tasks designed to build your confidence for uni. There aren’t any big exams. It’s all about learning how to study, write assignments, manage your time, work with others, and apply feedback to improve your work.
No, the program is government-funded and there are no tuition fees for eligible students.
The duration depends on which option you choose and how you study:
On-campus, scheduled online and self-paced options are available, depending on your pathway.
You’ll need to be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen. You must not have previously studied at university or hold a TAFE/VET Advanced Diploma, and you shouldn't be currently completing SACE (or equivalent) in the year you wish to start.
From 2027, Flinders Foundation Studies will be replaced by the new Uni-Ready Program. It has the same goal of helping you prepare for university, with an updated course structure and more study options to suit different circumstances.
Like Foundation Studies, the Uni-Ready Program is free for eligible domestic students and can provide guaranteed entry into over 50 Flinders degrees.
It means if you successfully complete the Uni-Ready Program, then Flinders will guarantee your place in certain undergraduate degrees without you having to meet the standard competitive entry requirements for those degrees. You can find the full list here.
For degrees that don’t offer guaranteed entry, you’ll still need to apply and be selected based on your results and other requirements, like prerequisites or available places. In other words, you’ll be competing with other applicants for a spot.
A “competitive score” is the result you need (or hope to exceed) to be considered in that pool of applying students. The exact number changes depending on how many people apply and how many places there are.
With guaranteed entry, you know ahead of time: satisfy the Uni-Ready Program requirements and you will have a place in certain degrees.
With competitive entry, even if you finish the Uni-Ready Program, you still need to apply and hope your results, your fit and other criteria stack up better than other applicants.
In both cases you’re using the Uni-Ready Program as a stepping-stone, but guaranteed gives you more certainty.
There are over 50 undergraduate degrees at Flinders that you can gain guaranteed entry into, provided you complete the Uni-Ready Program.
These degrees span a wide range, including criminology, health sciences, creative writing and social work. You can find the full list here.
No worries, it just means your preferred degree isn’t part of the guaranteed entry group or may have extra requirements like a portfolio, interview, or prerequisites. Common degrees without guaranteed entry include nursing, paramedicine, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy. You can still use the Uni-Ready Program as your pathway and apply through competitive entry. Make sure to book a chat with our team to check the exact requirements for your chosen degree.
You can complete your application online, and we’re here to help if you need it. Book a chat to talk through your options or get guidance on starting your application.
Choose the code for your preferred Uni-Ready study option:
If you’re unsure which option to select, speak to our team before applying.
* This is a Commonwealth Government funded program, meaning there are no fees charged to undertake the course. Upon successful completion of the program, students are able to undertake further university studies.
**This program is for Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens who have not previously studied at university and do not hold a TAFE/VET Advanced Diploma.
This program is not available to students enrolled in Year 12 studies (South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or equivalent) or to students enrolled below Year 12 studies; or to those who were eligible to be enrolled in Year 12 studies in the year they wish to commence this program.
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