Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at UWS can look forward to learning in a friendly and supportive environment which promotes independent thinking and embraces diversity. Located in one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, the University of Western Sydney has over 2,500 staff and 42,000 students drawn from across Australia and abroad. The University offers a range of programs designed for the 21st century that yield economic and social outcomes. Our University is committed to providing higher education pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and contributing to the process of reconciliation as an education institution which shares with the Australian community the cultures, languages, history and contemporary experiences of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The University’s six campuses are rich in social, sporting and cultural amenities set in beautifully landscaped, rolling parklands. The University has its own housing and residential colleges on each campus and includes facilities such as child-care, career development, counselling, newsagent, bookshop, gymnasium and organised sports, food outlets and entertainment. Areas of study: Arts Business Communication Arts Engineering, Information and Communications Technology Forensics Health Science, Nursing and Sport Science Law Medicine Policing and Criminology Psychology Sciences Social Sciences Teaching and Education Tourism and Urban Planning
Indigenous Australian Studies Major The Indigenous Australian Studies Major is open to all undergraduate students, and is available in a number of disciplines and courses at UWS. This innovative program has been designed to assist all students to develop a broader, more insightful understanding of Indigenous Australian cultures, histories and identities and how they have developed from the period of colonisation, up until the present day. This broadly based program delivers this collective knowledge in the context of our various areas of study, so that students can see the relevance and application of it in their chosen fields. Students will be required to study a minimum of 8 units to achieve the major in Indigenous Australian Studies. Students also have the opportunity to undertake a minor (4 units) as part of their studies.
For further information visit uws.edu.au/studyias
Flexible Programs of Study Aboriginal Rural Education Program (AREP) This block mode model is designed to afford Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the capacity of remaining in their community to fulfil 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. Students may also be eligible for ITAS tutorial assistance.
Bachelor of Education (Primary) (ATSIE) The Bachelor of Education (Primary) ‘AREP’ is a four year program. This program gives students 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 and numeracy skills as well as cultural perspectives which form a firm foundation for the curriculum studies subjects, in which they will examine the curriculum content of the primary school. The course is offered at the Bankstown campus in an AREP block release mode. The practical component is undertaken in schools in students’ home communities and in Sydney.
Bachelor of Community and Social Development The Bachelor of Community and Social Development is a three year undergraduate degree designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who wish to contribute to building sustainable capacity in their communities. 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 Islander people. In particular, the degree provides three different strands of skills and knowledge: skills in working directly with families in providing welfare advocacy, skills and knowledge in community development, and skills and knowledge in community leadership and sustainability. The course is offered at Penrith campus in block mode supported by online learning. Students will have the opportunity to undertake relevant placements in the field. Students with previous qualifications 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 degree.
Diploma of Community and Social Development The Diploma of Community and Social Development is a one year undergraduate qualification available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students entering university study and opens up pathways to further study in UWS undergraduate courses. Note that students enrolled in the block mode Bachelor of Community and Social Development at Bankstown campus can exit early from the degree with the Diploma of Community and Social Development.
UWS would like to acknowledge the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Elders past and present of the lands which our six campuses span – the Darug, Tharawal, Gandangarra and Wiradjuri peoples.
What is the Badanami Alternative Entry Program? The Badanami Alternative Entry Program is a UWS initiative aimed at increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ participation in undergraduate programs across all areas of study at the University. It includes a two-day assessment workshop. At the workshop, students will sit a literacy and numeracy assessment and have an informal interview to discuss your interest in chosen course. Students will be offered a place at UWS or UWSCollege depending on their performance in the test and interview. Application forms can be downloaded from the UWS website uws.edu.au/badanamiadmissions
Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education The establishment of the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education in 2006 demonstrates the University’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. A centre is located on each UWS campus to provide support and encouragement for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student studying at the University.
What is the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS)? The Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to receive individual or group tuition with qualified tutors in essay writing, study and research skills. Students are eligible for up to two hours of tutoring per week per subject during semester, and five additional hours of tuition during the examination period.
Students can drop into the Badanami Centres at anytime to study or relax.
For more detailed information about ITAS, please call 1800 032 923, email badanami@uws.edu.au or visit uws.edu.au/badanami
Student Support and Services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships
The Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education has offices located on each campus that offer a range of services and programs to support and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through their studies and to help make their time at the University of Western Sydney enjoyable and enriching.
There are many scholarships available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Western Sydney to help with the cost of study or accommodation. Scholarship eligibility varies, but most are based on academic ability, leadership potential, financial need or equity. Degreespecific, industry and community-funded scholarships are also available.
Badanami is committed to providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with access to higher education and to encourage students, staff and community members to utilise academic and cultural support facilities. The Centre can even put you in touch with a range of services available on campus from study skills courses, careers advice, counselling and medical assistance through to study abroad opportunities.
For more detailed information, please visit uws.edu.au/scholarships
Badanami’s major role is to provide: strategic policy advice and governance on Indigenous Education personal, cultural and academic support to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students access and learning support to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students administrative advice on a range of matters including enrolment, programs of study, graduation, and leave of absence advice on scholarships and cadetships advocacy on behalf of students if required academic programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by: delivering and managing specific block courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples providing teaching and advice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content teaching of an Indigenous Graduate Attribute; providing research and consultancy.
The Badanami Elder in Residence is available to assist in supporting students on their journey through university. Find out more at uws.edu.au/badanami
How to apply Prospective Indigenous students have two pathways in which to apply. 1. Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Students who are eligible for an ATAR should complete an online application for admission via UAC at uac.edu.au 2. Direct Admission via the Badanami Alternative Entry Program Complete the UWS Badanami Alternative Entry Application form. Send your completed Application form, along with any required supporting documentation to: UWS Admissions Office Locked Bag 1797 PENRITH NSW 2751 For more detailed admission advice or if you require assistance with the application, please contact UWS on: 1300 897 669 or 1800 032 923 or email study@uws.edu.au
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Contact Details Mailing Address University of Western Sydney Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751 Australia Course Information Centre Telephone: 1300 897 669
study@uws.edu.au Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education Telephone: 1800 032 923
badanami@uws.edu.au uws.edu.au/badanami