Welcome from the Director

Dr Anna Bennett

I am delighted to welcome you to the Pathways and Academic Learning Support (PALS) Centre at the University of Newcastle, which includes English Language Bridging Pathways, Open Foundation and Yapug Pathway Programs, Widening Participation Pathways, including Uni Steps, Uni Next and Children's University, and Academic Learning Support services.

Our aim is to provide both Australian and international students with an exciting range of educational experiences to enable access to, excellence within, and support throughout university study. We are committed to providing everyone with an engaging and enjoyable learning experience.

Helping people achieve their dream of tertiary study

The Centre provides pathways, English Language programs, and learning support services, with our staff teaching over 16,000 students each year. We are proud of the achievements of our students. Each year they make up a large proportion of commencing undergraduate and postgraduate students. From the platform of readiness for university study they establish in their program, our students go on to participate and excel in the programs of their choice. We also provide ongoing academic learning support for all University of Newcastle students.

Finding the right program for our students

From pathway programs to English Language courses, our Centre provides a supportive environment for students to learn.

Our Open Foundation pathway program is the largest of its kind in Australia, and has been successfully preparing students to enter University since 1974. We also offer our Yapug program, designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people qualify for entry into undergraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle.

Our credit-based pathways include our Diplomas. These are focused courses of study providing students with introductory knowledge and support components as well as degree-specific courses. Upon completion, students receive guaranteed entry and credit towards related degrees.

Our Centre provides a comprehensive English Language Bridging Program (ELBP) (ELICOS) for direct entry into University of Newcastle programs and Study Abroad, with English Language Courses available at the Newcastle campus and online. Our Enabling approaches to education at all levels are committed to the following key principles

Enabling philosophy

Engaging with our communities

Engaging with our communities to widen participation in higher education is fundamental to the University’s access and equity strategy. Our Children’s University and Uni Steps team works closely with local communities and partners, from encouraging primary and high school students to discover new learning experiences, to running workshops, free activities and courses, and engaging with partner schools and community members to learn more about and embark on university study.

Leading enabling education research

Over time, the Centre has been established as a national leader in the research field of enabling education. We seek to strengthen the research base of enabling education in order to facilitate evidence-based practice and policy-making, and to contribute to key debates around access, equity and widening participation. Our journal, Access: Critical explorations of equity in higher education, co-published with the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education, has been operating since 2014.

Providing a place of opportunity

We give students at all levels of university study the best chance to succeed through our NUPrep bridging program and through our Academic Learning Support services.

We're proud to deliver flexible and supportive pathways for motivated and talented students - not just to gain entry, but to thrive in their field of study and beyond.

Associate Professor Anna Bennett
Director, Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre
The University of Newcastle