What's in the program?
The Newstep pathway program will allow you to:
- Explore your interest in and capacity for ongoing tertiary studies;
- Prepare for study at university level; and
- Obtain, on successful completion of the program, a ranking which allows you to apply for a place in an undergraduate degree program at university.
When you enrol in Newstep you can elect to study the full-time program (80 units) taken over one year (two semesters), or the part-time program taken over three or four semesters. Students should take no more than 40 units in any one semester. The maximum time allowed to complete the program is two years.
Before you apply for Newstep we recommend that you review the important university dates to be sure that you can meet the commitments of the program.
Program requirements
To successfully complete Newstep, you need to successfully complete a combined total of 80 units:
- 2 x 10 unit core (compulsory) courses
- 4 x 10 unit directed courses
- 1 x 20 unit directed course (or approved pair of 10 unit courses)
For course descriptions and timetables click on the course codes below.
Core courses
These core courses are compulsory to complete for the Newstep program.
Available in Semester 1
- EPHUMA122 Academic Literacies 1
Callaghan & Ourimbah
Available in Semester 2
- EPHUMA123 Academic Literacies 2
Callaghan & Ourimbah
10 unit directed courses
Choose 40 units from the following list of 10 unit directed courses.
Semester 1 10 unit directed courses
- EPARTS190 Design Drawing
Newcastle City & Ourimbah - EPBIOL259 Introduction to the Life Sciences*
Online - EPCHEM137 Foundation Concepts for Chemistry*
Callaghan, Ourimbah & Online - EPHUMA137 Australian Culture and Society
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA148 Introduction to Linguistics
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA155 Applied Legal Studies
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA160 Film Studies
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPINFO150 Information Technology
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPMATH124 Advanced Mathematics 1 - recommended for Callaghan students
- EPMATH153 Extension Mathematics 1 - available to Ourimbah students (Online option)
- EPMATH126 Fundamental Mathematics
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPPHYS152 Physics 1*
Callaghan - EPPHYS252 Physics 2*
Callaghan - EPSCIE120 Studies in Science
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPSCIE130 Studies in Health Science
Callaghan & Ourimbah
*These courses can be taken separately to count towards your 10 unit requirement, or as an approved pair for your 20 unit course requirement.
Semester 2 10 unit directed courses
- EPARTS191 Design in Society*
Newcastle City & Ourimbah - EPARTS192 Graphic Design Fundamentals*
Newcastle City - EPBIOL259 Introduction to the Life Sciences*
Callaghan, Ourimbah & Online - EPCHEM137 Foundation Concepts for Chemistry*
Online - EPHUMA120 Media and Communications
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA171 Academic Literacies and Language Enhancement for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
Callaghan - EPMATH125 Advanced Mathematics 2 - recommended for Callaghan students
- EPMATH253 Extension Mathematics 2 - available to Ourimbah students (Online option)
- EPMATH127 Applied Mathematics
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPPHYS152 Physics 1*
Callaghan - EPPHYS252 Physics 2*
Callaghan
*These courses can be taken separately to count towards your 10 unit requirement, or as an approved pair for your 20 unit course requirement.
20 unit directed courses
Available in Semester 1
The courses below can be taken separately to count towards your 10 unit requirement, or as an approved pair for your 20 unit course requirement.
Science approved pair
- EPBIOL259 Introduction to the Life Sciences
Online - EPCHEM137 Foundation Concepts for Chemistry
Callaghan, Ourimbah & Online
Physics approved pair
Available in Semester 2
Choose one course from the following list of 20 unit courses:
- EPBIOL340 Environmental Science
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPEDUC301 Foundations in Education
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHLTH370 Science for Nursing and Midwifery
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA303 Australian History
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA306 Literature and Film
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA310 Social Enquiry
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPHUMA311 The Study of Language
Callaghan & Ourimbah - EPMANC320 Business Organisation and Management
Callaghan & Ourimbah
The courses below can be taken separately to count towards your 10 unit requirement, or as an approved pair for your 20 unit course requirement.
Design approved pair
- EPARTS191 Design in Society
Newcastle City & Ourimbah - EPARTS192 Graphic Design Fundamentals
Newcastle City
Science approved pair
- EPBIOL259 Introduction to the Life Sciences
Callaghan, Ourimbah & Online - EPCHEM137 Foundation Concepts for Chemistry
Online
Physics approved pair
Recommended Courses
The program is designed to provide a pathway for you into your preferred undergraduate degree program. If you know what undergraduate degree you would like to study, you should refer to the following Program Plans for recommended course information.
The Newstep courses recommended for study are based on the assumed knowledge students are expected to have prior to commencing particular degree programs and courses. However, students should note that there are no prerequisites for entry into undergraduate degree programs at the University of Newcastle.
If you’re not sure what degree you’d like to study, choose courses that interest you and courses you think you’ll do well in.
Orientation
The orientation session provides an opportunity to talk to people about Newstep and gain advice on choosing the most appropriate courses to prepare you for undergraduate study.
After you apply you'll be emailed an invitation to your Newstep orientation session, usually held 1 or 2 weeks before your classes begin.
A number of staff will be available to counsel and support you, and you will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the campus and its facilities.