First Year Success Program

The First Year Success Program (FYSP) prepares and supports students from our widening participation programs begin their university journeys.

The FYS program supports first-year students coming from the U@Uni Academy program, the Humanitarian Scholarship program, and the Schools Recommendation Scheme. 

Throughout the program, students take part in a number of activities to help them transition to uni life. These include academic bridging courses, workshops, social events and peer mentoring.

Useful links

Course handbook 

My Student Admin 

Timetable planner

2025 Program activities

13 January
HeadStart Workshop

A one-day introduction packed with useful information to get you ready for 2025.  

20 January to 11 February
Bridging courses

Intensive courses to help fill in gaps in subjects relevant to your course. This will help students prepare for their first-year subjects in a Science, Health, and Engineering degree. Courses include:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Maths Preparation or Mathematics
  • Physics

13 January to 5 July
Peer mentoring

Students are matched with a peer mentor who is a current UTS student. Mentors help guide students in their first session of uni, provide timely information, and are available as a point of contact for questions throughout Autumn session. 

3 February to 14 February
UTS Orientation  

Orientation is a series of events held over two weeks to welcome you to UTS. It’s an opportunity to explore what UTS has to offer, get to know about extracurricular activities, join a club, attend events, and learn about faculty-specific initiatives.

17 February to 16 May
Autumn Session - Study groups and academic support

In your first year you can access interactive and subject specific help, including:

  • U:PASS – a student learning program designed to assist students who are studying subjects that are difficult or historically have a high failure rate.    
  • HELPS – provides language and academic literacy support to help you understand your assignments, and improve writing, communication and study skills.

9 July
Mid-year social

A catered social gathering to celebrate your first completed session at university.

Wellbeing surveys – students complete 2 surveys in both Autumn and Spring session to let UTS know how they are going, what they need, and how they feel about their studies.

Student advisory meetings – students meet with a FYSP team member to discuss and plan to improve areas of concern (wellbeing or academic), and UTS support services.

Bridging courses

Students enrolled in an engineering, health, or science degree will register and attend a bridging course to support their transition into the first-year subjects. 

Registration and Dates

Students will receive an email in December 2024 with instructions on how to register, specific details of the bridging course they are required to attend, and a voucher code to register without payment. Visit the UTS Bridging Courses webpage to check the dates and links to register.

Students enrolled in a degree within the following faculties are required to attend the listed bridging course(s)

Faculty of Health

  • Biology

Note: Students enrolled in a public health, sport and exercise science, or sport and exercise management degree are not required to register or attend. 

Faculty of Science

  • Chemistry

Note: Students enrolled in a Bachelor of Mathematical Science are not required to register for the Chemistry bridging course. The Bachelor of Mathematical Science students have the option to register for a Maths Preparation or Mathematics bridging course to support their transition into university. 

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Students enrolled in a degree within the faculty of engineering and information technology have the option to attend the listed bridging courses to support their transition into their studies. 

  • Mathematics Preparedness or Mathematics
  • Physics

Note: Students enrolled in a cybersecurity, games development, information technology, or information systems degree are not required to register or attend.

Other Faculties

Students enrolled in the combined degree Bachelor of Science Master of Teaching within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences must register for a bridging course. Students must select at least 1 bridging course out of chemistry, mathematics, or physics. 

Students enrolled in the combined degree Bachelor of Engineering Science Bachelor of Laws within the Faculty of Law have the option to register and attend a mathematics preparedness or mathematics, and/or a physics bridging course. 

Exemptions

A student can be exempt from attending a bridging course if they show evidence of satisfactory academic achievement of relevant high school subjects for the award (e.g. a student who is offered a Bachelor of Advanced Science achieves a four or higher performance band in Chemistry). Students can provide a copy of their HSC results to success@uts.edu.au by 1 January 2025. 

Relevant Information and Resources

Contact us

First Year Success Team

M: +61 457 512 376 E: success@uts.edu.au  

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.