Extension studies

The Extension Studies Program offers high-achieving senior secondary students the opportunity to:

• experience university life
• explore a particular subject area in greater depth
• be challenged
• study an extended range of subject options more independently
• access Flinders University services such as the library, laboratories and Flinders Learning Online (FLO)
• complete a topic/s for which they may gain credit within a future university degree.

Flinders University will offer half fee scholarships to support students to undertake Extension Studies topics. This will require the student’s school or parents/caregivers to fund half of the tuition fee for each topic. The University will cover the Student Services and Amenities Fee.

Domestic students undertaking Extension Studies topics will be charged at the Non-Award rate.  As this rate varies by topic, please refer to the full list of topics available for confirmation.

International students undertaking Extension Studies topics will be charged the minimum indicative course fee for fee-paying overseas students. As these rates vary by topic, please contact us by email at extension.studies@flinders.edu.au for confirmation.

1. Confirm eligibility

The Extension Studies Program is open to Year 12 students from all schools in South Australia. The content and workload has been designed to suit high-achieving students.

2. Research and choose the desired area of study

There are many topics available as part of the program and students may choose to study a maximum of one topic per semester.

See the full list of topics available below.

3. Obtain school and parent/guardian permission

As part of the application process students will be required to obtain permission from both their school and their parent/guardian.

4. Submit an application

Download the Extension Studies Application Form (PDF 398KB).

All applications should be completed, signed by school representatives, parents/caregivers and the student.

When submitting the application please remember to include school and parent/guardian permission. Applications without school and parent/guardian permission will not be considered.

Email completed applications to: extension.studies@flinders.edu.au

Admission and orientation

All students admitted to the program will be expected to attend an orientation day on campus in February which will involve:

• enrolling in classes
• collecting student cards, including having ID photo taken
• going on a library tour
• locating lecture theatres, tutorial room and laboratories
• taking a campus tour to familiarise themselves with campus facilities (including a question/answer session).

School staff and parents are welcome to participate in this orientation day.

Assessment

Extension Studies students will be assessed the same as university students. At the end of each semester we will post an official transcript of the student’s results to their school. It is the school’s responsibility to forward these results to the SACE Board. The University grading system is High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, Pass, Fail.

Withdrawal from topic

If students want to withdraw from a topic we recommend they seek guidance from their family, teachers, lecturer, or tutor first.

If students choose to withdraw from a topic after they are enrolled, it is essential that we are notified before the due date by completing the Topic Withdrawal Form. Email us at extension.studies@flinders.edu.au to be sent this form.

Students successfully completing topic(s) will gain credit towards their SACE and towards a future university degree (if the degree structure permits).

For the purpose of calculating an ATAR, the SACE Board has determined that university grades will be converted in the following way:

• High Distinction = 20
• Distinction = 19.8
• Credit = 18
• Pass = 15.8

These are the total scores (towards your ATAR) that are available for completing two topics, for example:

• Topic One = High Distinction = 10 points
• Topic Two = Credit = 9 points
• Combined score towards ATAR = 19 points

Students and schools should be aware that not all University topics are approved by the SACE Board of SA as recognised courses towards the SACE, or approved by the Higher and Further Education Taskforce as recognised studies towards calculation of the ATAR.  However, all the topics listed are pre-approved for recognition. Please note that some topics may have precluded combinations with certain SACE subjects, this can be confirmed by contacting the SACE Board.

Extension Studies topics will need to be completed in the same year (or earlier) that SATAC calculates the ATAR for the first time.  It is not possible for the ATAR to be recalculated to include Extension Studies results done in later years.

If you would like more information about the Extension Studies Program, please contact us:

• Phone: 8201 5322
• Email: extension.studies@flinders.edu.au