Diploma Pathway Programs

Abstract

As a second chance for prospective students who do not meet initial Australian Higher Education (HE) entrance requirements, “pathway” providers attract (international) students early in their tertiary lifecycle to secure their destination. The pathway model that evolved in the 1980s-90s was developed to address the issue of attrition. This innovative model tailored a learning solution that enhanced student transition (i.e., cultural and social integration and academic support). Increasingly, “pathway” institutions offer valuable partnerships for the Australian HE sector, and it is beneficial to conduct research into this division to strengthen and improve the overall teaching and learning experience. There appears to be scant literature on pre-university pathway offerings within and beyond Australia; thus, the contents of this chapter explicates three diploma programs delivered at one particular institute during the period 2013-2015 in Australia.