Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Yapug Certificate is a free pathway program offered at the University of Newcastle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The program aims to provide students with the academic skills necessary to succeed at university level and gain admission to an undergraduate degree at the University of Newcastle.

Description

The Yapug Certificate is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to:

• Gain admission to an undergraduate degree at the University of Newcastle
• Develop the academic skills necessary to succeed at university level
• Become familiar with the University of Newcastle and its environment
• Develop different learning methods and skills, including problem-based learning, whilst enjoying a supportive learning environment (culturally, personally, and academically)

The program offers flexible study options, allowing students to choose from:

• Full-time over one year (two semesters)
• Part-time over two years (three or four semesters)

Upon successful completion of the Yapug Certificate, students will receive a Certificate of Attainment, guaranteed entry to over 70 degrees, and the ability to use their final grades for competitive admission to all other degrees at the University.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will have:

1. Foundational competence in key academic skills in academic writing, research, and communication skills
2. Foundational awareness of salient knowledge across at least two academic content areas
3. Foundational understanding of the requirements of academic integrity and ethical conduct
4. Foundational ability to engage successfully with the university teaching and learning environment

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

1. Be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
2. Not have successfully completed an enabling program or tertiary studies at either the University of Newcastle or any other higher education institution (with the exception of the Elite Athletes Pathway Program)
3. Be 17 or older prior to submitting an application
4. Meet any other admission criteria prescribed at the time of application

Minimum English language proficiency requirements:

• Pathway programs, such as Yapug, require students to have a good level of written and spoken English
• It is assumed that students have undertaken some formal study in English prior to commencing
• Academic Learning Support and Indigenous Academic Learning Support will be available to help students develop their language skills, including:
  • Academic reading and writing (including essays and reports)
  • Preparing for assignments and exams
  • Academic language (grammar/vocabulary/learning strategies and practices)

Program Requirements

To successfully complete the Yapug Certificate, students need to successfully complete a combined total of 80 units (made up of 8 x 10 unit courses):

• 40 units of core courses
• 40 units of courses chosen from the course list

It is essential to consider the undergraduate degree students would like to study upon completion of the Yapug Certificate, as the courses they choose help prepare them for that area of study.

Program Structure

Core

Complete the following core courses:

• EPABOR111: Professional Practice (10 units)
• EPABOR112: Aboriginal Tertiary Foundation Studies 1 (10 units)
• EPABOR113: Aboriginal Professional Practice (10 units)
• EPABOR124: Aboriginal Tertiary Foundation Studies 2 (10 units)

Course List

Complete 40 units from the following courses:

• EPABOR110: Decolonising Research in Aboriginal Communities (10 units)
• EPABOR114: Ethical Research in Aboriginal Communities (10 units)
• EPABOR158: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: Cultures and Histories (10 units)
• EPABOR160: Introduction to Health Professional Studies 1 (10 units)
• EPABOR161: Introduction to Health Professional Studies 2 (10 units)
• EPABOR258: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: Contemporary Issues (10 units)
• EPARTS190: Design Drawing (10 units)
• EPBIOL100: Biology: The Science of Life (10 units)
• EPBIOL259: Introductory Human Bioscience (10 units)
• EPCHEM237: Physical and Organic Chemistry (10 units)
• EPEDUC101: Foundations in Education: Theories and Theoretical Perspectives (10 units)
• EPEDUC201: Foundations in Education: Contemporary Issues in Schooling (10 units)
• EPHLTH170: Science Essentials for Nursing and Midwifery (10 units)
• EPHLTH270: Bioscience for Nursing and Midwifery (10 units)
• EPHUMA100: Society Unmasked: Sociology for our Times (10 units)
• EPHUMA120: Media and Communication Studies (10 units)
• EPHUMA131: Australian History to Federation (10 units)
• EPHUMA147: Law in Australia (10 units)
• EPHUMA149: Language in Society (10 units)
• EPHUMA173: Creative Writing and Reading (10 units)
• EPHUMA200: Introduction to Linguistics: The Science of How Language Works (10 units)
• EPHUMA231: Australian History from Federation to Present (10 units)
• EPHUMA247: Law in Action (10 units)
• EPINFO150: Information and Communication Technology (10 units)
• EPINFO250: Programming Fundamentals (10 units)
• EPMANC120: Managing People in Organisations (10 units)
• EPMATH109: Fundamental Mathematics (10 units)
• EPMATH153: Advanced Mathematics 1 (10 units)
• EPMATH209: Intermediate Mathematics (10 units)
• EPMATH235: Statistics (10 units)
• EPMATH253: Advanced Mathematics 2 (10 units)
• EPPHYS152: Physics Essentials (10 units)
• EPPHYS252: Modern Physics (10 units)
• EPSCIE140: Psychology and Human Behaviour in Everyday Life (10 units)

Transition Arrangements

From 2026, the following courses will no longer be offered:

• EPARTS191: Design in Society
• EPARTS192: Graphic Design Fundamentals
• EPBIOL130: Introduction to Biology
• EPBIOL140: Foundations of Conservation Science
• EPBIOL240: Biodiversity and Conservation Management
• EPENGG101: Engineering Physics
• EPHUMA144: Literature Foundations
• EPHUMA160: Screen and Cultural Studies
• EPMANC220: Project Management
• EPMATH110: Applied Mathematics

Pre-2026 students who have completed any of the above courses can continue to count them towards their program. Students who have completed EPBIOL130 cannot complete EPBIOL100: Biology: The Science of Life.

Availability

The program is available in:

• Semester 1
• Callaghan Campus
• Gosford Campus
• Ourimbah Campus
• Face-to-Face delivery mode
• Domestic student type
• Full-time and part-time attendance patterns

Additional Handbook Information

Additional Information (Ongoing Students)

The University provides various support services, including:

• Face-to-face and online academic advice
• Career advice
• Counselling
• English language support
• Library help
• In-depth support in key subject areas, such as mathematics, science, and health science
• Academic writing and study skills support
• Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can access programs and social activities through the Wollotuka Institute, including:

• Counselling
• Tutorial assistance
• A well-equipped resource centre
• Audio and visual materials on Indigenous topics and issues
• Health support
• Cultural programs

Additional Information (Prospective Students)

The University provides various support services, including:

• Face-to-face and online academic advice
• Career advice
• Counselling
• English language support
• Library help
• In-depth support in key subject areas, such as mathematics, science, and health science
• Academic writing and study skills support
• Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can access programs and social activities through the Wollotuka Institute, including:

• Counselling
• Tutorial assistance
• A well-equipped resource centre
• Audio and visual materials on Indigenous topics and issues
• Health support
• Cultural programs

Additional Program Information

• Choosing courses: Students should consider the undergraduate degree they wish to study upon completion of the Yapug Certificate and choose courses that prepare them for that area of study.
• Indigenous Enabling attributes/values:
  • Acknowledging the work inherited from ancestors and those who walked before us
  • Providing a supportive, culturally appropriate, safe, and stable environment that values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
  • Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, pedagogies, and knowledges into teaching practices
  • Reframing history and challenging the stereotyping of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Unlocking the leadership potential in students
  • Acknowledging the students' aspirations and cultural identity

Credit Transfer Information

A maximum of 40 units of credit may be awarded for previous completion of University of Newcastle enabling courses only. These must have been completed in the preceding four years.

Students with Special Needs Information

AccessAbility provides advice and reasonable adjustments to students with a medical or health condition or disability. Students should contact the Student Support Advisors - AccessAbility before semester or early in the semester to ensure timely adjustments.

Program Contacts

Not applicable

Type

Single Program

Study Level

Enabling

Program Schedule

Enabling Program Schedule

Units to Complete

80

College

Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre

Full-time Duration (Years)

1

Max Time to Complete (Years)

2

Term Type

Semesters

Locations of Offer

• Callaghan Campus
• Gosford Campus
• Ourimbah Campus