News Archive
Record enrolment a mixed blessing
07 April 2010
Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
More students, but more students studying less units--this is the good and the bad news of another record enrolment at Avondale College.
Enrolment for semester one this year is 1318, nine more than the previous semester one record set this past year. This equates to 556 when measured as equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL), a decrease of almost 18 over semester one 2009. EFTSL relates directly to income. However, more than 40 per cent of the students enrolled are beginning their course this year. "This should set us up for strong enrolment over the next three years," says president Dr Ray Roennfeldt.
With 285 students--a new record--the Bachelor of Nursing remains the most popular course at Avondale. Students can begin the course on the Lake Macquarie or Sydney campuses, which both recorded increases this year. The increase is usually only on the Sydney campus, where students complete the course. However, the growth has now prompted Avondale to offer nursing to first-year students on the Lake Macquarie campus not only in first but second semester, too. A waiting list Avondale set up this past year for the course has now been removed. The quality of the course and its reputation for providing practical experience are the primary reasons for the increase in students, says dean Dr Paul Race.
A scholarship worth $2500 in meal credit for first-year on-campus students with a Commonwealth Supported Place in a science and teaching course is also proving popular. The Science Sizzler helped increase enrolment in science courses to a record 50 students--27 in the Bachelor of Science and 23 in the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Teaching.
Enrolment in the Doctor of Philosophy continues to grow, up from nine in 2009 to 15 this year. It brings to 32 the number of higher degree by research students. According to vice-president (administration and research) Dr Vivienne Watts, the impact they have on research culture is significant. "They're a catalyst for discussion and for encouraging others to study by research," she says. They will also help Avondale in its application for university college status. The number of higher degree by research students when measured as EFTSL must be at least 0.9 per cent of the total number of students. Avondale has 1.9 per cent. It aims to have 2.7 per cent by next year.
Enrolment in education is down, primarily because the number of students in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) course fell from 192 in semester one this past year to 177 in semester one this year. However, the number of students in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) course rose from the previous record of 43 in semester one this past year to 51 in semester one this year.
A record 126 students enrolled as part of the mentoring and recruitment initiative, Helping Hands, because 69 students--also a record--registered to recruit them.
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