Yapug
The key to getting started at university for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons.
Your free and supported pathway into uni
If you're an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and aged 17 years or over, Yapug is your key to university!
Yapug is a pathway program designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain skills and entry into undergraduate degrees at the university. The program is offered at the Newcastle Callaghan campus and Central Coast Ourimbah campus.
About Yapug
Course requirements
To be eligible for admission, applicants must:
- be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person;
- not have successfully completed an enabling program or tertiary studies at either the University of Newcastle or any other higher education institution.
- be 17 or older prior to submitting an application.
Applications for Semester 1, 2026 are open now!
How to apply
- Create an account with us. If you've studied with us before, you can log in as a past student to complete your application.
- Provide 100 points of identification with certified copies of your documentation. Find examples of identification.
- Submit your application. Note: You can save your application and return to complete your application once your status has been established.
- Establish your Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander status with the university. Please allow up to three weeks for your status to be approved.
- Forward your established status letter you received to the Pathways and Academic Learning Support (PALS) team. You will have already received an email from them telling you this.
If you meet the admission criteria and have provided any necessary supporting documentation you can expect to hear from us within 4 weeks of submitting your application. We'll be in contact with information about next steps including choosing your courses, enrolling, preparing for your study, attending orientation and meeting your support team.
If you have any questions or concerns you can contact the Wollotuka Institute for assistance. We recommend booking a meeting to sort out any potential issues as soon as possible.
Part-time or full-time study
When you enrol in Yapug 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.
Applications for Semester 1, 2026 are now open!
2026 Key Dates
- 28 July 2025 - Semester 1 applications open
- 27 January 2026 - Semester 1 commences
- 20 February 2026 - Semester 1 census date
- 24 April 2026 - Semester 1 concludes
Millie's Yapug pathway story 2:21
Yapug unlocks opportunities
Hear about Millie's Yapug pathway program experience and her journey to study Education (Primary).
Got a question about Yapug?
Why go to uni?
Connect with community at Wollotuka Institute
When you embark on the Yapug pathway program at the University of Newcastle you will benefit from a range of support services offered by the Wollotuka Institute.
Services include counselling, tutorial assistance, a resource centre, audio and visual materials on Indigenous topics and issues, health support and cultural programs.
Guaranteed entry into over 70 undergraduate degrees
Upon successful completion of Yapug, you will be guaranteed entry into selected degrees at the University of Newcastle.
You’ll also be able to use your final grades from the program for competitive admission to all other degrees, including Nursing, Medicine, Law and more. Many other universities also recognise our Pathway Programs.
Gain entry to the Miroma Bunbilla Program
After completing Yapug, students can also be eligible to participate in the Miroma Bunbilla program, a pre-entry pathway to the Joint Medical Program (JMP).
We're here to support you
There are no fees for the Yapug program. You will not be liable for HECS-HELP during the Yapug program, but will be liable for HECS-HELP once you are enrolled in an undergraduate degree.
Although there are no course fees for Yapug, students might need assistance with purchasing textbooks, a computer or even relocation costs.
Need more information?
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.