PASS success @ UWS

PASS success at UWS

Studies at universities that run PASS have shown when students attend PASS they are more likely to gain a better grade than if they didn't attend. This particularly applies when students attend PASS regularly during the semester.

PASS helps students to develop learning strategies that can be applied to other subjects throughout their university experience. PASS also offers the opportunity to make friends and to feel more confident with the unit content.

The video below is a montage of UWS PASS facilitators and a PASS attendee speaking about their experiences with PASS. This is a Quality in Learning and Teaching (QILT) project.

PASS results

Since Autumn 2007 there has been rapid growth in the number of campuses running PASS. The number of PASS facilitators is increasing and most importantly more students are attending PASS each session. In 2011 PASS is being offered in at least one unit in every UWS School.

We have put together just a snap shot of some of the results from 2010.

See for yourself what PASS can do for you (opens in a new window). 

PASS achievements

2009

The UWS PASS Coordinators Team was Highly Commended for Excellence in Professional Service in the Vice-Chancellors Excellence Awards.

UWS students James Cowan (2009) and Husam Al Jabi (2008) each won a National PASS Leader Award.

"At UWS, we have a strong PASS culture where students learn better together in a collaborative, informal, relaxed and socially friendly environment. The benefits of PASS are almost endless. PASS is a whole lot of fun, we all get along, we all participate, all smiles when everyone leaves the room and well all tend to leave with a heightened understanding of course content! I know that PASS has helped me greatly and I feel that PASS contributes significantly to students' university experience."

James Cowan
PASS Facilitator in Principles of Economics
Recipient of National PASS Award for Outstanding
PASS Leader 2009

Student Feedback

"I found PASS very helpful and the hour a week boosted my interest in the subject. I enjoyed the atmosphere. Australia and the World, Autumn 2010

"I do believe that PASS is worth any student’s time because it's very valuable. You can relax as it is student orientated... PASS sessions have a warm/welcoming environment and a sense of support to them." Contemporary Society, Autumn 2010

"PASS was definitely worth my time. The sessions helped reinforce the things I was learning and helped with things I couldn’t understand." Accounting Information for Managers, Autumn 2010

"I was struggling in understanding some of the materials and just the whole concept of Economics. With the addition of the PASS classes I attended I am sure that it had broadened my understanding and comprehension of the unit." Principles of Economics, Autumn 2010

"PASS sessions should be available for every subject...I found attending a study session with past students incredibly helpful." Principles of Economics, Autumn 2010

"The group participation in PASS is effective as it is easier to learn in an informal environment from my peers and the PASS facilitator." Introduction to Human Biology, Autumn 2010

"One of the big concerns for me as a mature student was confidence. The sessions really helped give me direction and confidence because they were so interactive... I also got a lot of practical tips on making the most of study  time." Psychology, Human Behaviour, Autumn 2010

"PASS is definitely worth the time. It provides  extra practice at solving course related problems in an environment where others can assist." Maths for Engineers 2, Autumn 2010

"My understanding has improved and my marks have  improved dramatically through these sessions." Biology 1, Autumn 2010

Scale up of the PASS program

In Autumn session 2011 PASS will have a presence in every UWS school. The table below shows the increase in the program from 2007 to 2010.

*Note: Since Spring 2009, UWS has consolidated to 5 main campuses