Can Early Offer Schemes Play a Role in Widening University Participation and Attainment in Undergraduate Health and Science Courses?

Early offer schemes have become increasingly popular in Australia, allowing school leavers to secure a place at university before final Year 12 exams. Motivations for universities to offer, and students to apply for, early offers are varied. Through analysis of applicants to science and health programs at a regional Australian university, this research investigates whether there is a role for early offer schemes in widening participation and attainment for equity students. The research also investigates whether students who enter through early offer schemes differ from the rest of the cohort in terms of academic success, and the impact of early offer criteria. The analysis found that a high proportion of equity students use early entry schemes, and that their attainment, measured by first year success and retention, is on par with the rest of their cohort. Benefits of early offer schemes were found to outweigh any perceived or actual disadvantages.