Extension studies

Expand your knowledge, get a headstart on your university studies, enhance your ATAR, and become eligible for the Flinders Guarantee.

Extension Studies provides the opportunity for high-achieving SA/NT senior secondary students to undertake university topics while still at school. With a wide variety of topics to choose from, you'll be able to extend your learning alongside first-year students who share your academic interests and passions.

Students can enrol in a maximum of one university topic per semester while completing Year 12.

Apply for 2026 between 17 November 2025 and 6 February 2026.

View available topics

Benefits

Flinders Guarantee

Get ahead of the curve knowing that if you successfully complete two topics through the program, you'll become eligible for guaranteed entry to a wide variety of degrees offered at Flinders. The grades achieved in those topics will impact which courses you're eligible for. You’ll also need to meet any additional course specific entry requirements.

Boost your ATAR

The grades you achieve in your Extension Studies topics can be converted by SATAC towards your ATAR, potentially making you more competitive for your preferred course.

Earn credit towards your degree

If you come to Flinders for your undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for credit for your Extension Studies topics. This could mean a lighter study load in your first year or finishing your degree faster.

Experience university life

You'll receive a student card, email account and have access to our libraries and study spaces. You'll have the chance to familiarise yourself with university systems, expectations and procedures, making for a smooth transition to your university degree.

Make new connections and friends

You'll be taught by leading academics, studying alongside first-year students and other Extension Studies students. Get hints and tips to help you adapt to university study, that can also be applied and benefit your school studies.

Build an impressive CV

You'll receive an official transcript on completion of the program, demonstrating a point of difference from your peers.

Information session

Extension Studies is more than an academic challenge - it’s an opportunity to grow, explore your passions, and prepare for life at university. Discover how Extension Studies can open doors to university life, new skills, and future opportunities.

Topics available to study in 2026

Explore available topics

Topic Code (click link for description and assessments)	Topic Name	Subject Area	Semester (click on link for timetable and fees)	Campus	Online	SACE Precluded Combinations
AGES1002	Attitudes, Language and Communication Influencing the Experience of Ageing	Ageing Studies	NS1	-	Yes	-
AGES1004	Mental Health and Psychological Well-being in Later Life	Ageing Studies	NS1, NS2	-	Yes	-
ARCH1001	Discovering Archaeology	Archaeology	S1	BP	-	-
ARCH1002	From the Palaeolithic to Pompeii: An Exploration of World Archaeology	Archaeology	S2	BP	-	-
ARCH1006	Sex, Death and Ritual in the Ancient World	Archaeology	S1	BP	-	-
BIOL1101	Evolution of Biological Diversity	Biology	S2	BP	-	-
BIOL1102	Molecular Basis of Life	Biology	S1	BP	-	-
BUSN1001	Recording Business Transactions	Business	S1, S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
BUSN1002	Exploring Accounting Processes	Business	S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
BUSN1009	Interpreting and Visualising Business Data	Business	S1, S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
BUSN1011	Finance and Accounting for Leaders	Business	S1, S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
BUSN1012	Managing in Modern Organisations	Business	S1	BP, CC	Yes	-
BUSN1021	Organisational Behaviour	Business	S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
BUSN1022	Marketing Principles in the Digital Era	Business	S1	BP, CC	Yes	-
COMP1002	Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence	Computer Science	S1	BP, CC	-	Stage 2 Digital Technologies
COMP1102	Computer Programming 1	Computer Science	S1	BP, CC	-	-
COMS1004	Digital and Social Media *	*	S2	-	Yes	*
CRIM1101	Introducing Crime and Criminology	Criminal Justice	S1	BP, CC	Yes	-
CRIM1102	Criminal Justice System	Criminal Justice	S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
CRWR1001	Writing Across Genres	Creative Writing	S1	BP	-	Stage 2 English and Stage 2 English Literary Studies
CRWR1002	Story: Who, What, When, Where	Creative Writing	S2	BP	-	Stage 2 English and Stage 2 English Literary Studies
DSRS1201	Perspectives on Disability	Disability and Rehabilitation Studies	S1	BP, CC	Yes	-
DSRS1202	Disability Across the Life Course	Disability and Rehabilitation Studies	S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
DSRS1215	Introduction to Communication Diversity and Support Needs	Disability and Rehabilitation Studies	S2	BP	Yes	-
EASC1101	Earth and Environmental Sciences	Earth Sciences	S1	BP	-	Stage 2 Earth and Environmental Science
EASC1102	Marine Sciences	Earth Sciences	S2	BP	-	Stage 2 Earth and Environmental Science
EDUC1222	Reading, Comprehending and Producing Texts *	*	S2	BP, CC	-	*
EDUC1232	Introduction to Contemporary Education: Pedagogy and Practice *	*	S1, S2	BP, CC (S1 only)	-	*
EDUC1235	Histories and Philosophies of Early Childhood *	*	S1	BP, CC	Yes	*
EDUC1245	Partnerships, Parents and Participation *	*	S2	BP, CC	Yes	*
EDUC1248	Literacy Across the Curriculum *	*	S2	BP	-	*
ENGL1101	The Power of Storytelling	English	S1	BP, CC	Yes	-
ENGR1201	Electronics	Engineering	S2, NS2	CC (S2 only), TN (S2 & NS2)	-	-
ENGR1711	Engineering Design	Engineering	S1, NS1	CC (S1 only), TN (S1 & NS1)	-	-
FREN2201	Intermediate French Part 1	Languages	S1	BP	-	-
FREN2202	Intermediate French Part 2	Languages	S2	BP	-	-
GEOG1001	Environment and Society	Geography	S1	BP, CC	-	-
GEOG1002	Human Geography: Geographies of Oppression	Geography	S2	BP, CC	-	-
GOVT1001	Exploring Fundamentals of Public Policy	Government & Politics	S2	BP, CC	-	-
GOVT1003	Revolutionary Ideas in Politics	Government & Politics	S2	BP, CC	-	-
GOVT1004	Foundations in Political Systems and Institutions	Government & Politics	S1	BP, CC	-	-
GOVT1005	Foundations in Political Economy	Government & Politics	S2	BP, CC	-	-
HIST1703	Turning Points in History	History	S1	BP	Yes	-
HIST1704	History's Killing Fields: From Medieval to Modern	History	S2	BP	Yes	-
HIST1803	'The Lucky Country'? A Brief History of Australia	History	S2	BP	Yes	-
HLPE1540	Foundation Studies in Health Education	Health & Physical Education	S1	BP	-	Stage 2 Health and Wellbeing
HLPE1550	Introduction to Sport and Active Recreation	Health & Physical Education	S1	BP, CC	-	-
HLPE1552	Human Functional Anatomy in Sport and Exercise	Health & Physical Education	S1	BP	Yes	-
HLPE1554	Introduction to Coaching Pedagogy and Practices	Health & Physical Education	S2	BP, CC	-	Stage 2 Physical Education
HLPE2533	Exercise Prescription and Physiology	Health & Physical Education	S2	BP	-	-
HLTH1004	Human Bioscience	Health Sciences	S1, S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
HLTH1011	Introduction to Digital Health	Health Sciences	S2	BP	Yes	-
HLTH1304	Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication	Health Sciences	S1, S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
HLTH1306	Understanding Health, Illness, and Health and Social Care in Australia	Health Sciences	S1, S2	BP (S1 & S2), CC (S2 only)	Yes	-
INDG1000	Indigenous Studies: An Introduction	Indigenous Studies	S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
INDG1001	Race and Representation: Indigenous Identities	Indigenous Studies	S1	BP, CC	Yes	-
INDO1201	Introductory Indonesian, Part 1	Languages	S1	CC	-	Stage 2 Indonesian Continuers
INDO1202	Introductory Indonesian Part 2	Languages	S2	CC	-	Stage 2 Indonesian Continuers
INDO2201	Intermediate Indonesian Part 1	Languages	S1	CC	-	-
INDO2202	Intermediate Indonesian Part 2	Languages	S2	CC	-	-
INNO1001	Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognising Opportunities	Innovation & Enterprise	S1, S2	BP, CC	Yes	Stage 2 Business Innovations
INTR1006	International Relations: An Introduction	International Relations & Politics	S1	BP, CC	-	-
ITAL2201	Intermediate Italian Part 1	Languages	S1	CC	-	-
ITAL2202	Intermediate Italian Part 2	Languages	S2	CC	-	-
LLAW1312	Essential Legal Skills	Law	S1, S2	BP, CC	-	-
LLAW1321	Indigenous Peoples, Colonialism, and Law	Law	S2	BP, CC	-	-
MDSC1102	Skills for Medical Scientists 1	Medicine	S1	BP	-	-
MGRE2201	Intermediate Modern Greek Part 1	Languages	S1	BP	Yes	-
MGRE2202	Intermediate Modern Greek Part 2	Languages	S2	BP	Yes	-
MMED1005	How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure	Medicine	S1, S2	BP (S1 only)	Yes (S2 Only)	-
MMED1007	Histology: The Building Blocks of the Human Body	Medicine	S2	BP	Yes	-
NUTD1106	Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health	Nutrition & Dietetics	S2	-	Yes	-
PHIL1010	Mind, World and God	Philosophy	S1	BP	-	-
PHIL1030	Introduction to Moral and Political Philosophy	Philosophy	S2	BP	-	-
PHIL1060	Critical Thinking	Philosophy	S1, S2	BP	Yes	-
POLI1003	Understanding Democracy in Australia	Politics	S1	BP, CC	-	-
PSYC1101	Psychology 1A	Psychology	SU, S1	BP (S1 only), CC (S1 only)	Yes	-
PSYC1102	Psychology 1B	Psychology	S2	BP, CC	Yes	-
SCME1000	Film Form and Analysis	Screen & Media	S1	BP	-	-
SCME1001	Media and Society	Screen & Media	S2	BP	-	-
SOCI1001	Issues in Sociology	Sociology	S2	BP	Yes	-
SOCI1010	Sociology of Everyday Life	Sociology	S1	BP, CC	Yes	-
SPAN1201	Introductory Spanish Part 1	Languages	S1	BP	-	Stage 2 Spanish Continuers
SPAN1202	Introductory Spanish Part 2	Languages	S2	BP	-	Stage 2 Spanish Continuers
SPAN2201	Intermediate Spanish Part 1	Languages	S1	BP	-	-
SPAN2202	Intermediate Spanish Part 2	Languages	S2	BP	-	-
TOUR1101	Introduction to Events and Tourism*	Tourism	S1	BP, CC	Yes	*
VEED1003	Essential Multimedia	Visual Effects & Entertainment Design	S1, S2	BP, CC	Yes (S2 Only)	-
VISA1401	Drawing and Design Fundamentals	Visual Arts	S1	BP	-	-
VISA1402	Painting	Visual Arts	S2	BP	-	-
WMST1001	Sex, Gender and Identities in Australia	Women’s Studies	S1	BP	Yes	-
WMST1002	Gender, Power and Change: Introducing Feminist Debates	Women’s Studies	S2	BP	Yes	-

Note

Any topics with * after the topic name are still awaiting full assessment from the SACE Board
Campus locations – BP (Bedford Park), CC (City Campus), TN (Tonsley)
Where multiple options are listed under Semester, it's only possible to choose one (it's the same topic delivered multiple times)

How to apply

Step 1: Am I eligible?

Extension Studies is open to Year 12 students from all schools in South Australia and the Northern Territory completing SACE/NTCET. The content and workload has been designed to suit high-achieving students with the motivation and maturity to succeed in an adult learning environment.

Applications from high-achieving Year 11 students, with strong school and parent/caregiver support will also be considered.

You will need to obtain permission from both your school and your parents/caregivers and this will need to be evidenced via the submission of the relevant declaration forms, that form part of the application pack.

You will need to meet any subject prerequisites as listed on the topic handbook webpage (some semester 2 topics may require a specific semester 1 topic be completed first). Prerequisites that list admission into various courses are not relevant to Extension Studies students and can be ignored.

Step 2: Choose your topics

There are a number of subject areas available and you may choose to study a maximum of one per semester.

Things to consider:

What each topic is about (topic outlines and learning outcomes), and if it aligns with your interest
Review the timetable, contact hours, class locations, and ease of transport to classes (you'll need to make these work with your school timetable)
What kinds of assessment the subjects involve
Make sure you meet any prerequisites needed for enrolment (if admission to a selection of courses is listed, this does not need to be met)
The fees involved in undertaking those topics

This information can be found in each topic handbook webpage (click on the relevant topic code link from the list of topics above)

Step 3: Download the application pack and complete declarations

Download the appropriate document depending on your situation:

New students (have not participated in the program previously)

All declarations need to be completed, signed by you, your parents/caregivers and a school representative.
When submitting the application online, please remember to attached the completed and signed declarations. Applications without these will not be considered.

Download the Extension Studies Application Pack

Returning students (participated in the program previously and looking to study an additional topic while still at school)

Complete the form, arrange for it to be signed and submit to us at extension.studies@flinders.edu.au

Download the Additional Topic Form

Step 4: Apply online

Follow the relevant process depending on your situation:

New students (have not participated in the program previously)

Once you have completed Steps 1-3, you will need to submit an online application (follow the steps in the application pack).

Returning students (participated in the program previously and looking to study an additional topic while still at school)

Complete the Additional Topic form, arrange for it to be signed and submit to us at extension.studies@flinders.edu.au

Key dates for 2026

Applications open: 17 November 2025*

Semester 1 applications close: 6 February 2026

Semester 1 begins: 2 March 2026

Last day to enrol Semester 1 topics: 13 March 2026

Semester 2 applications open: 13 April 2026*

Semester 2 applications close: 10 July 2026

Semester 2 begins: 27 July 2026

Last day to enrol Semester 2 topics: 7 August 2026

* Outcomes sent to applicants on a rolling basis

FAQs

How will credits be added to my SACE/NTCET completion?

For each topic you successfully complete on the program (minimum pass grade), you'll receive credit towards your SACE/NTCET completion. Each successfully completed topic will provide 10 credits towards the SACE/NTCET and you're able to claim a maximum of 20 credits (two topics) as 'University Studies'.

Learn more about SACE University Studies

How many points will be added to may ATAR aggregate?

The ATAR is calculated from the university aggregate, with students requiring 90 subject credits to calculate an aggregate (60 + 30). Extension Studies topics can contribute towards the 30 (Flexible Option) as ‘Recognised Studies’. The table below demonstrates the university grade to ATAR conversion. These are the scores for completing one topic (for example 2 x DN grades would convert to 19.8). For additional support we would encourage you to speak with your school SACE Coordinator.

Learn more about SATAC Recognised Studies

Grade	Score	ATAR Conversion
High Distinction (HD)	85 - 100	10.0
Distinction (DN)	75 - 84	9.9
Credit (CR)	65 - 74	9.0
Pass (P)	50 - 64	7.9
Fail (F)	0 - 49	N/A

Are there costs involved to participate in Extension Studies?

Yes, there are fees that you will need to pay to participate in Extension Studies and these vary by topic, and by your citizenship status:

Domestic students will be charged the non-award rate for the topic and as these vary by topic, please refer to the relevant topic handbook webpage for full details.
International students will not be charged the full international rate but instead the discounted minimum indicative course fee for fee-paying overseas students. As these rates are not published on our website and vary by topic, please contact us at extension.studies@flinders.edu.au for details.

To help support your studies with us on this program, Flinders will provide a scholarship covering half the topic fee (for a maximum of two topics) as well as cover the Student Services and Amenities Fee. This will be applied prior to the payment due date and does not require a separate application. This will mean that you (or your parents/caregivers) will need to fund the remaining half for each of the topics studied. In some cases your school may also be able to help with this and we encourage you to speak with them. Please note any additional topics studied through this program will be charged at the full rate.

Am I considered a domestic or an international student?

The rules around this are slightly different for school and university. For university the following applies:

You are a domestic student if you are:	You are an international student if you are:
an Australian citizen	a Temporary Resident (visa status) of Australia
an Australian Permanent Resident (visa status)	a Permanent Resident (visa status) of New Zealand
a New Zealand citizen	a Resident or Citizen of any other country

Am I able to add the Extension Studies fees to HECS-HELP?

No, Extension Studies is considered 'non-award' study and is not eligible for HECS-HELP

Will Extension Studies give me university credit?

If you successfully complete topics as part of Extension Studies you may be granted credit for that topic towards a future degree, if the completed topics can be taken as part of your chosen degree. Receiving credit can provide an opportunity to accelerate through a course or have a slightly lighter study load in the first year of the degree.

Am I able to participate as a Year 11 school student?

Yes it is possible, we will consider applications from high-achieving Year 11 students where your application is strongly encouraged and supported by your school and your parents/caregivers. If you are accepted to participate when in Year 11, you may undertake two topics in Year 11 or one in Year 11 and another in Year 12. Regardless of when you participate in the program, you can still only claim a maximum of two topics towards your SACE completion and ATAR calculation.

Am I able to participate as a Year 13 school student?

Extension Studies topics will need to be completed in the same year (or earlier) that SATAC calculates your 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're studying in Year 13, having already achieved an ATAR in Year 12, you are not eligible for Extension Studies.

Will there be an orientation session?

Yes, orientation sessions will take place in February, with in-person options available at both the City Campus and Bedford Park. An online session will also be offered, which will be recorded and accessible for viewing at a later time.

I am having trouble with my application, who can help?

If you're experiencing any difficulties with your application, please email us at extension.studies@flinders.edu.au and provide as much detail as possible so that we can assist you effectively.

When will I find out if I have been accepted into the Extension Studies program?

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis throughout the application period. We aim to provide an outcome within two weeks of submitting your application however depending on the volume of applications received, at times this may take slightly longer. Please note there may be some additional delays during University closure period (22 December to 4 January). If you have submitted your application but haven't yet received a response and it's been longer than two weeks, please contact us (noting your full name and Application ID number) at extension.studies@flinders.edu.au

What if I withdraw or fail?

If you would like to withdraw, you must formally notify the University by completing and emailing the withdrawal form to extension.studies@flinders.edu.au.

You will need to withdraw before the relevant semester census date to avoid incurring any topic fees. Topics withdrawn by this date will not appear on your academic transcript.

If you withdraw from, or fail to successfully complete a topic, you will not be eligible for SACE credit or ATAR for that topic.