Courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

Aboriginal Rural Education Program (AREP)

This block mode model is designed to afford Indigenous students the capacity of remaining in their community to fulfill their family, community, career, cultural and social responsibilities. To study a block mode program requires students to attend four to six residential schools per year, each lasting approximately one to two weeks. Travel, accommodation and meal costs to attend workshops are funded for Abstudy approved students.

The following courses are only available via the Badanami Alternative Entry Program.

Bachelor of Education (Primary)(AREP)

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) – AREP is a five-year program and is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This program gives you the skills and understanding to operate effectively across the full Kindergarten to Year 6 curriculum range. In addition to foundation and curriculum school based subjects, students will extend their literacy, mathematical and cultural perspectives which form a firm foundation for the curriculum studies subjects, in which they will examine the curriculum content of the primary school.

Bachelor of Community and Social Development

Bachelor of Community and Social Development is a three-year undergraduate degree offered in block mode for Indigenous students.

The degree provides the skills and knowledge for work in welfare and advocacy; community leadership, development and community sustainability. The degree recognises the critical importance of these skills in building communities of strength for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

The course is offered at the Penrith campus in block mode supported by online learning. Students will have the opportunity to undertake relevant placements in the field.

Students with previous study and/or relevant work experience are eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which can reduce the number of units required to complete the course.

Diploma of Community and Social Development

Diploma of Community and Social Development is a one-year undergraduate qualification available for Indigenous students at the Penrith campus as a weekly attendance program.

The Diploma provides students with initial skills and knowledge for working in community and welfare organisations as well as providing an introduction to Indigenous Australian studies. The Diploma is designed to support Indigenous students entering university study and open up pathways to further study in UWS undergraduate courses.

Indigenous students are generally eligible for ITAS tutorial assistance.

Note that students enrolled in the block mode Bachelor of Community and Social Development at Penrith campus can exit early from the degree with the Diploma of Community and Social Development.

For more information, please contact the Course Information Centre on 1300 897 669 or the Badanami Centre.