“If you want to learn and progress through higher education, there’s no need to wait until next year,” says Professor Clare Pollock, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) at Flinders University.

“Mid-year entry is a great way to kick-start your studies. Why wait another six months when you can get ahead of the game now?”

Professor Pollock says mid-year is the perfect time for people to re-assess their long-term learning goals.

“Perhaps you applied for Semester One entry to a university course but missed out on your first preference. There’s no need to stress,” she says.

“Flinders is among many universities that allocate additional places for the Semester 2 intake. This provides a second chance to secure a spot in your preferred course.”

Mid-year enrolments provide learning solutions for many different situations. Students who recently finished high school may have started a gap year – a preference of about 25 per cent of school leavers – but their initial plans often change. Their aim to travel, earn money, or just relax reaches an end point, and their desire to start studying takes flight.

“When you’re inspired, there’s no time like the present to act,” says Professor Pollock. “There’s no need to wait until the New Year, because mid-year enrolments provide an ideal starting platform.”

The mid-year intake can also provide a gentle entry to university life for new students. “Starting mid-year means there are often fewer students in some classes, so if you feel that a large university campus is a bit intimidating, then mid-year is a good time to start.”

Even though a mid-year entrant may start their degree a little later than other students, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will graduate later. Many mid-year courses offer summer classes or intensives so you can get ahead and complete your degree swiftly. Otherwise, there’s an opportunity to graduate outside of conventional course graduation times, offering the possibility of less competition for jobs among a smaller pool of new university graduates.

Flinders offers a vast array of study possibilities because mid-year entry is available at all levels, whether the applicant has completed Year 12, studied at TAFE, or already holds a Bachelor’s degree.

“If you’re new to university or keen to continue your studies, Flinders offers a wide range of internationally recognised degrees and research fields,” says Professor Pollock. “We have designed our learning pathways to be flexible and supportive, to find an ideal study program that works best for all people.”

For mature-aged students, returning to university could help change careers or find a new dream jobs

For example, after 20 years in the retail sector Megan Green decided to take a leap of faith and start Archaeology at Flinders.

“I realised life is way too short not to follow my passion and dreams. History has always been my love, so now I’m determined to achieve my goals,” says 40-year-old Ms Green who ‘dipped her toes’ into tertiary studies with a foundation course.

“If you aren’t sure what you want to study or how you will juggle the demands of a tertiary education with children, it’s a great way to get a clear picture of what you want to do,” she says.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Mollie McKendrick knows better than most about balancing time to build a career.

She juggles her life on the basketball court with the law court during her legal studies at Flinders.

“The University’s support network has made it easy to study at Flinders,” Ms McKendrick says, adding that lecturers and support staff are exceptionally helpful.

Her decision to study is paying off. She works part-time in a criminal defence firm while playing basketball in the SA Premier League.

“It was an incredible experience studying overseas, allowing me to learn about the American criminal justice system, while visiting prisons, shadowing barristers and attending court,” she adds.

If reading about their stories has you wondering about a change in career, mid-year entry at Flinders University is open until Monday 16 July.

Information about the wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities at Flinders is available at the University’s 2018 Mid-year Study Information Evening at its Bedford Park campus between 5pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday 5 June. The session will enable attendees to:

• Discover undergraduate course options and find an entry pathway that’s right for you.
• Speak with Prospective Student Advisors about what courses are available.
• Explore career pathways with a Career Development Consultant.
• Take a personalised tour of the campus and Student Hub facilities.
• Find out how to apply for the various course options at Flinders.

For more information, visit the website: https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/midyear