Courses

For courses available at Western Sydney University specifically for Indigenous students, please select an option below:

• Diploma in Community and Social Development
• Bachelor of Education (Primary) - ATSIE
• Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

See below for all University courses, available to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Block Mode Model Programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

The block mode model (formerly AREP - Aboriginal Rural Education Program) 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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students do not need to be from a rural community to study an Block Mode Model program. Students from city areas are also invited to study the program.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alternative Entry Program

The following courses are only available via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alternative Entry Program.

Bachelor of Education (Primary) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (formerly AREP) is a five-year program and is only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 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.

The course is offered at the Bankstown campus in block release mode. The practical component is undertaken in schools in students' home communities.

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education will lead to a career in teaching.

Bachelor of Community and Social Development

The Bachelor of Community and Social Development is a three-year undergraduate degree offered in block mode for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 Islander people.

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

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 and open up pathways to further study in undergraduate courses.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are generally eligible for tutoring through the Indigenous Tutoring For Success (TFS) program. Students are allocated a tutor that helps with assignments and other university related tasks.

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

Do you want to know more?

For more information on block programs or TFS, please contact the Contact Service Centre on 1300 897 669 .