ESP students are subject to the provisions of UQ's statutes and rules during their enrolment (just like any other UQ student). Prospective ESP students must read the relevant ESP rules and guidelines before applying to the Program.
Students will also need to consider how the extra time commitment may affect their Senior Studies and what school and family support is available before applying for the ESP.
Students can only complete one ESP course through UQ.
It is essential that interested students read through the following frequently asked questions before submitting an application.
Can I undertake ESP in Semester 2 or the Summer Semester?
ESP is available in Semester 1 for Year 12 students, or Semester 2 for Year 11 students. Course options differ between Year 11 and 12 offerings. You may only participate in either Year 11 or Year 12, not both periods.
Standard ESP courses are not available during Summer Semester.
How much time will I need to dedicate to the ESP?
This depends on which ESP course (subject) you choose. Generally, internal students can expect to spend between two and five hours on campus, for lectures, tutorials, practicals and/or contact time (per week).
Typically, courses include a lecture plus a tutorial. Others may include a lecture, tutorial and practical. Refer to individual courses for more detail. Under Covid conditions, lectures are recorded and are available to listen to online. It may be necessary to either attend classes physically on campus, or Zoom into a tutorial session, depending on the course.
Extra study time is required for course revision, researching, group work and completing assessment items.
Subject to individual course assessment requirements, ESP students will be required to attend classes, examinations and complete assessment during the regular semester periods.
Please consider carefully how you will balance your university study with your Senior Studies.
More information about important dates during semester, can be viewed at the UQ Academic Calendar.
How much will the ESP cost me?
A benefit of being accepted into the ESP is that tuition fees are waived.
However, you may need to purchase additional materials and/or services. These can include (depending on your course):
- Textbooks
- Stationery
- Photocopying
- Travel to and from campus
- Lab coat
- Software (eg. MATLAB for MATH1051 students)
Many students wait until their first lecture to confirm the text books and resources required to complete their course. However, if you are keen to purchase your materials early, just ensure you can return them for a refund if you find out they are not necessary.
How do I travel to UQ?
Travelling time to UQ needs to be a consideration when applying for the ESP. There are a range of options for travelling to UQ. Note that the majority of ESP courses are held at UQ St Lucia or via external mode.
The UQ Maps website is a useful tool to use once you arrive at a campus. Smart phone users can also utilise the UQ Maps application available for download.
As an ESP student, do I follow the same rules as other UQ students in my classes?
ESP students are considered UQ students, therefore are subject to the provisions of the University's statutes and rules during their enrolment. There are some exceptions to this, and all students must read, understand and agree to the ESP terms, rules and guidelines which are relevant to their application period (available on the ESP website) before lodging their ESP application.
Class timetables - where do I find them and how do I understand them?
Semester 1 timetables are generally available online in preliminary form by mid-December. At this time, go to the mySI-net homepage, and follow these steps to find out timetables for courses:
- Click on 'Course & Timetable Info' under 'Menu' (left side of page).
- Select the relevant semester from the drop down menu.
- Enter your 'Course Code' (eg. ARCH1140).
- Click 'Search'.
- Select the appropriate check box for your course, then click 'Next Step'.
- The timetable will appear.
Please note that tutorial times and allocations will not be available until late January in Semester 1, or mid -June for Semester 2. UQ cannot guarantee that all classes will be available outside of school hours.
When you view your timetable, it may look a little overwhelming. The following links provide information on how to read a timetable:
How do I know if my ESP application has been successful?
Most students are notified of the outcome of their application in late November (via email). Applicants must check their junk mail folders in case our emails land there.
Students applying for most language courses will be informed in December or January (depending on when they can sit a placement test to determine their suitability).
Students wishing to study MUSC1100: Large Ensembles A will normally be required to attend an audition. These students will find out if their ESP application has been successful shortly after their audition.
Is it possible to change courses?
Requests are considered on a case by case basis, depending on which course you wish to change into, and the timing of your request (ie. in some instances, it is too late to swap courses if University deadlines have passed). Please email the Enhanced Studies Program for advice.
What is an Electronic Course Profile (ECP)?
Sometimes referred to as a course profile, ECPs are documents which provide the following information regarding individual courses (subjects):
- A statement of the essential details of a course (ie. what you will learn).
- Course objectives and goals.
- How performance will be assessed.
- Assessment expectations and penalties.
Final versions of course profiles are usually not released until approximately one week prior to classes commencing. However you can access previous semester course profiles by visiting what can I study, which will provide you with a good overview of what the course is all about.
More information on how to access course profiles, can be accessed from the about course profiles link.
What is the difference between a deferred exam and a supplementary exam?
A deferred examination may be granted if you are unable to attend your examination due to exceptional circumstances (eg. medical reasons). Please note that having high school exams in the same week as your university exam is NOT grounds for a deferred examination. More information is available at deferred examinations.
A supplementary examination (or assessment) may be granted if students narrowly fail a course. The supplementary examination is a 'second chance'.
What is the difference between Internal, External and Flexible Delivery study?
An internal student attends classes and on campus during the semester. If exams are part of the assessment for the course, these must be attended on campus as scheduled during the university examination period.
External students complete their course via distance education. Some external courses require students to come on campus for a few days for field experience or practicals.
Flexible delivery is a combination of study types offered as an alternative to on-campus study in some courses. Students may need to visit a UQ campus to complete practicals and examinations.
Please note that courses are only available to ESP students in the modes listed on the ESP website. External and flexible delivery students must be aware that although they may not have to attend all classes on campus, they should be prepared to spend at least the same amount of time watching lectures, reading materials and preparing for assessment and examinations as internal students. You may also be required to attend workshops, practicals and lectures 'live' at scheduled times (see ECP and course timetable).
What is the role of my ESP school contact?
ESP school contacts should be able to meet regularly with ESP students to check and report on their progress. School contacts may be any staff member at the school, including but not limited to: the school guidance officer, principal, deputy principal, subject class teacher, or head of department.
What should I do if I need to withdraw from ESP?
Current ESP students wishing to withdraw from their course should email Enhanced Studies Program and their school contact as soon as possible.
Prospective and current ESP students can refer to the following withdrawal dates as a guide (relevant to Semester 1 only). Please note, students must refer to the rules and guidelines for their specific application year (eg. 2023) which are provided upon application and offer of a place in ESP.
Please note the following rules in regards to withdrawal from ESP (Semester 1 and 2 dates listed respectively; does not include WRIT1999):
- Students can withdraw without academic penalty up to and including 31 March (Census Date, Semester 1) or 31 August (Census Date, Semester 2). The course will not appear on the student’s studies report or academic transcript if they withdraw on or prior to Census Date for their enrolled semester.
- Students who withdraw from ESP from 1 April (Semester 1) or 1 September (Semester 2) onward will have a result of ‘W’ (withdrawn without academic penalty) listed on their studies report.
Effective Thinking and Writing (WRIT999) students must refer to their rules and guidelines document for the policy on withdrawal.
What support is available to ESP students?
UQ provides a range of support services for all students, including those enrolled in ESP. Examples include:
- Enhanced Studies Program is the central point of contact for ESP specific enquiries.
- For questions about individual ESP courses, students can contact course coordinators, lecturers and tutors.
- UQ Student Central is a 'one-stop shop' for all student administration and general enquiries (eg. examinations, calculator approvals).
- UQ Student Services provides a range of services including learning workshops, counselling and disability assistance.
- Assistance with researching, referencing, borrowing and exam papers, can be provided by the UQ Library.
- UQ students have access to IT support.
Students who successfully gain a place in the ESP will be encouraged to attend Orientation Week activities which are relevant to new students. Most of these are available online. It is recommended that students attend a "Getting Started" session, and an "Introduction to Learn.UQ (Blackboard)" session as a minimum.
What is 'my.UQ' and why is is important?
It is a portal for students studying at UQ. ESP students will also receive their own account and access. Login details are provided upon finalisation of enrolment.
Logging into my.UQ provides students with access to online services such as:
- UQ email
- Personal updating of important details (eg. emergency contact info)
- eLearning (ie. Blackboard) - lecture recordings, PowerPoint slides, readings, discussion boards, ECP's, etc
- UQ Library online resources
- mySI-net - where to manage your enrolment (add and drop courses, etc)
What is a UQ student ID card and how do I get one?
A UQ student ID card is proof that you are studying at the University of Queensland up until the expiry date given on the card.
You will need a UQ student ID card to:
- be permitted entry into an examination room
- borrow books from a UQ library
Information on how to collect an ID card, is provided here.
Please note that in order to get an ID card online, you need to complete all of your "Task Wizard" tasks on your 'my SI-net' account first. To get to 'my SI-net', please use the link from your 'my UQ' account.