Welcome from the Director

I am delighted to welcome you to the Pathways Centre at the University of Newcastle, which includes Open Foundation and Yapug Pathway Programs, Diploma Pathways, NUPrep preparatory programs and our Widening Participation Pathways, including Uni Steps, Uni Next and Children's University.

Our aim is to provide our 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

For over 50 years we have provided pathways to support students to enter university. 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.

Finding the right program for our students

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 Enabling approaches to education at all levels are committed to the following key principles

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.

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