UWA+ Starter

Take your learning to the next level with UWA+ Starter

UWA+ Starter provides senior secondary school students with the unique opportunity to start their uni experience early by completing
micro-credentials through UWA while still at school.

What are the benefits of UWA+ Starter?

  • Access university-level study in courses you're passionate about
  • Learn from UWA academics, who are experts in their field.
  • Try different course areas to help you decide what you want to study at uni
  • Gain credit towards selected UWA bachelor degrees by completing 3 micro-credentials
  • Gain access to university resources (library, online resources and other campus facilities)
  • Receive a UWA Professional Development Transcript at the end of your studies, listing all completed UWA micro-credentials – great for uni entry and your resume!
  • Successfully completed UWA Starter micro-credentials can also contribute towards admission to UWA via Experience-based entry.
  • Selected UWA Starter micro-credentials are SCSA endorsed and count towards the achievement of WACE.  

We've designed UWA+ Starter micro-credentials specifically for secondary school students

UWA+ Starter micro-credentials will be offered during Terms 2, 3 and 4.

Each is delivered either fully online or online with on-campus learning activities scheduled outside school hours or during school holidays – allowing you to study around your school, social and family commitments.

Details about the UWA+ Starter micro-credentials to be offered in Term 2, 2024 are available below..

UWA Starter fees for 2024 –

$247.50 (inc GST) per micro-credential for students from participating partner schools (50% discount)

$55 (inc GST) per micro-credential for students from participating UWA Broadway Schools 

$495 (inc GST) per micro-credential for students from non-partner schools

*Please note - there may be a cap on the number of places for some micro-credentials

SCSA endorsement

Selected micro-credentials within the UWA+ Starter program have been endorsed by SCSA effective 4 July 2023 – 31 December 2024. Completion of a SCSA endorsed micro-credential can provide one unit equivalent towards the achievement of the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

Currently endorsed UWA Starter micro-credentials are:

  • AGRIM101 Agriculture, Economics and Nature: Towards 2050
  • PHCYM002 Community Pharmacy Fundamentals
  • MKTGM100 Social Media Marketing

Courses by study area - Term 2, 2024

School of Earth Sciences

Antarctica: Gondwana's Frozen Heart

This microcredential explores Antarctica's geology, its role in Gondwana breakup, and its impact on oceans and climate.

Course dates 15 April 2024 - 19 May 2024

Delivery mode Online with a required on-campus component (one-day weekend workshop)

School of Molecular Sciences

Think Like a Chemist

From forensics to the environment, to new materials for a sustainable future, we need to know how “things” are made and work. This micro credential will provide you with the fundamental skills and knowledge to think and solve problems like a chemist. This micro credential supports Unit 1 and 2 of the ATAR Year 11 curriculum and will prepare you for success in Year 12. This micro credential will involve online material and assessments as well as a hands-on laboratory experience involving cutting-edge techniques used in chemistry laboratories worldwide.

Course dates 3 June 2024 - 30 June 2024  *Limited spaces available

Delivery mode Online with required on-campus activity

School of Physics Maths and Computing

Astrophysical Concepts

This micro-credential will appeal to students wishing to expand their knowledge in the fundamentals of astronomy and the Universe. It will provide a comprehensive introduction to astronomy research and provide the foundations for further University study in both astronomy and physics.

Course dates 15 April 2024 - 21 June 2024

Delivery mode Online

School of Psychological Science

OrgMind: Psychology to guide your future career

This micro-credential is designed to empower students to explore their professional strengths and design their career journey. Students will develop skills to enhance their employability, as well as understanding how to obtain and maintain meaningful employment throughout their career. Over a span of 10 weeks, this fully online experience will equip students with invaluable skills in self-management, interpersonal skills, communication, planning and organising, networking, and a forward-thinking approach to the evolving landscape of work. Designed to unlock your potential, elevate your skills and chart your course toward career success.

Course dates 15 April 2024 - 28 June 2024

Delivery mode Online

Courses by study area - Term 3, 2024

Business School

Social Media Marketing

You will learn how to use the social media we all use every day for a different purpose; to market products, brands, ideas, and people. Social media have transformed how businesses and all types of organisations, like Governments, schools and political parties, operate. To do social media marketing successfully, you need to know about two things; digital transformation and content marketing. You will learn about these at UWA through working on real-world marketing challenges.

Course dates: 2 September 2024 - 23 September 2024

Delivery mode: Online



School of Allied Health

The Origins of Pharmacy: The Hunt for New Drugs

The shelves of modern pharmacies contain hundreds of medicines that bring relief to millions of Australians, but have you ever wondered where these powerful substances come from? This fascinating online unit takes an introductory look at six classic ways that medicines have been discovered for use in treating common diseases. The course also considers how new drugs are tested for safety and effectiveness before they are widely used in humans. This micro-course is perfect for any Yr 11-12 student with a general interest in medicines as well as students considering careers in pharmacy, nursing, medicine, dentistry, chemistry, biotechnology or allied health fields such as podiatry, occupational health and optometry.

Course dates 15 July 2024 - 23 September 2024

Delivery mode Online


  Community Pharmacy Fundamentals

The Community Pharmacy Fundamentals course will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the world of Pharmacy. Pharmacies are the most accessed health provider with over 5,700 community pharmacies across Australia. This course offers an overview of medications, dosage forms and other essential concepts that are a solid foundation for a career in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, or other allied health fields. The micro credential involves online and simulated learning, assessments, and an optional on-campus workshop at UWA or at selected rural locations. You'll gain an understanding of the role of community pharmacy in a healthcare sector that is exponentially growing.

Course dates      15 July 2024 - 20 September 2024                            

Delivery mode    Online with optional on-campus activity


School of Earth Sciences

Antarctica: Gondwana's Frozen Heart

This microcredential explores Antarctica's geology, its role in Gondwana breakup, and its impact on oceans and climate.

Course dates

Term 3: 15 July 2024 - 25 August 2024

Delivery mode Online with a required on-campus component (one-day weekend workshop)

School of Humanities

Making Contemporary Western Australia: A Critical Review

This micro-credential will introduce learners to a series of historical figures who were instrumental in shaping the course of contemporary (Western) Australian society.

Course dates 1 July 2024 - 16 August 2024

Delivery mode Online

School of Physics Maths and Computing

Computer Science without Computers

What do computer scientists do? What challenges do they solve? This micro-credential will answer those questions for you, giving you examples and hands-on exercises to do, all without computers!

Course dates

Term 3 2 September 2024 - 27 September 2024

  Term 4 4 November 2024 - 29 November 2024

Delivery mode Online with required on-campus activity

School of Population and Global Health

Disease Detectives

Are you interested in learning more about detecting and tracking health problems? In this module you will explore current public health challenges including drug and alcohol use; smoking and vaping; and sexual health, with a focus on disease transmission, causes, and risk factors. You will also learn about how diseases and health related issues can be prevented. By completing this course, you will gain an understanding of public health and whether this might be a career choice for you!

Course dates 22 July 2024 - 6 September 2024

Delivery mode Online

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The War on Pandemics

This module provides an introduction to pandemic preparation and management, including how identify, track and control infectious diseases that pose a threat to global health.

Course dates  26 August 2024 - 4 October 2024

Delivery mode Online

School of Psychological Science

OrgMind: Psychology to guide your future career

This micro-credential is designed to empower students to explore their professional strengths and design their career journey. Students will develop skills to enhance their employability, as well as understanding how to obtain and maintain meaningful employment throughout their career. Over a span of 10 weeks, this fully online experience will equip students with invaluable skills in self-management, interpersonal skills, communication, planning and organising, networking, and a forward-thinking approach to the evolving landscape of work. Designed to unlock your potential, elevate your skills and chart your course toward career success.

Course dates:

Term 2: 15 April 2024 - 28 June 2024

  Term 3: 15 July 2024 - 20 September 2024

Delivery mode Online

 

School of Social Sciences

International Relations: Australia and the Indo-Pacific

This microcredential is developed and delivered by the Perth USAsia Centre team. Participants will gain an understanding of the Indo-Pacific region and Australia's strategic relationships to Asia. Content covering topics including regionalism, geopolitics, economics, security and relations with key partners including USA, China, India, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Course dates

  Term 3: 15 July 2024 - 20 September 2024

  Term 4: 7 October 2024 - 12 December 2024

Delivery mode Online

UWA Academic Skills Centre

Write Ahead: Academic Writing and Study Skills

Write Ahead: Academic writing and study skills will unlock the academic skills you need to succeed at uni. Get a head start on your understanding of uni culture, academic writing, time management, memorisation, study practice, reading scholarly papers, and critical thinking.

Course dates 22 July 2024 - 23 August 2024

Delivery mode Online

 

Registrations open for UWA+ Starter in February 2024

To be eligible to participate in UWA+ Starter in 2024 you must:

  1. Be a Year 11 or 12 student completing WACE
  2. Attend a Western Australian school partnering with UWA

Is your school interested in joining UWA+ Starter? Express your interest today to find out more about joining the UWA+ Starter program in 2024 and we'll be in touch.

Expression of interest form

Discount for staff of Partner schools

Do you work for a primary or secondary school in WA?
Does your school partner with UWA to deliver UWA Starter, Aspire UWA, or Children's University WA Partnership?

If your answer is YES to both questions, UWA would like to offer you a 10% discount when you enrol in one or more of the UWA Plus micro-credentials listed here.

Key dates 2024

 

Frequently asked questions

What are micro-credentials?
Micro-credentials are short courses. Successfully completing a micro-credential showcases mastery of specific skills, knowledge and/or experience in a given subject area or capability. Designed to meet secondary students’ flexibility requirements, UWA Starter micro-credentials focus on providing secondary students with the opportunity to study subjects they are passionate about or to try different subjects they may be considering studying at university. UWA Plus micro-credentials are delivered by UWA.
Are UWA Starter micro-credentials right for me?
If you’re a Year 11 or 12 student interested in learning more about a specific subject or you want to explore a variety of different study areas to see what you might want to study at university, UWA Starter micro-credentials may be right for you. Check the specific micro-credential listing for details.
How are UWA Starter micro-credentials different from other types of study?
UWA Starter micro-credentials are short, specific courses designed to be stackable. They give you the flexibility to pick and choose what works for you, so you can complete a one-off micro-credential or stack multiple micro-credentials to convert to academic credit towards an undergraduate course.
What are ‘stackable’ micro-credentials?
Micro-credentials are ‘stackable’ because you can combine multiple micro-credentials that may be converted to academic credit towards an undergraduate course. Completing three UWA starter micro-credentials can be converted to credit for one unit when commencing selected UWA bachelor degrees.
Why are UWA Starter micro-credentials valuable?
Successfully completing a micro-credential showcases mastery of specific skills or knowledge in a subject area. Micro-credentials contribute to your skillset and create pathways for continued learning. It also enables you to get started on your university journey earlier in a way that can be recognised within your UWA bachelor’s degree.
Do I need to be an ATAR student to take UWA Starter micro-credentials?
UWA Starter is open to students undertaking ATAR as well as to students that are undertaking general or alternate pathway courses such as University Enabling programs.
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