The University of Newcastle is welcoming students to it's campuses with Orientation or 'O' Week celebrations kicking off this week.
Two courses at the University of Newcastle were among the top 10 most in-demand courses in NSW for 2021, according to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
The Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine joint medical program at University of Newcastle and University of New England was the second most popular course in the state this year, while the Bachelor of Nursing came in at ninth.
The biggest increases in enrolments at the University were in Education, Science and Psychology, with the new Bachelor of Criminology also generating significant interest.
This follows reforms to University course fees brought in by the Federal Government last year, which saw fees decreased for science, health, architecture, environmental science, IT, engineering, agriculture, maths, teaching, nursing, clinical psychology, English and language courses.
Degrees in teaching, nursing, clinical psychology, English and languages became up to 42 per cent cheaper, with a three-year nursing degree costing $11,850, down from $20,412.
Fees increased for humanities, law, economics, commerce, communications and visual arts courses.
Fees for humanities and communications subjects rose around 113 per cent. Law, commerce, economics increased by 28 per cent, with a a full four-year program in these disciplines costing students about $58,000.
This year will see a return to more face-to-face learning experiences for students, following the move to a higher proportion of online learning last year.
Each course will set its own blend of on-campus and online activities and new COVID-safe protocols such as checking in to buildings will be introduced.
University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice-President, Professor Mark Hoffman, said the campus experience was important for students and the University was committed to creating the best environment for them to thrive.
“Students are saying they’re really excited to be able to enjoy face-to-face learning opportunities and experience everything that university life has to offer,” Professor Hoffman said.
Professor Hoffman said there had been a high demand for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in 2021.
“It’s exciting to see student numbers so strong this year, especially since we know how challenging 2020 was for so many of them,” Professor Hoffman said.
“We are noticing the highest growth in degrees that embed work integrated learning into the program and have strong graduate employment opportunities.”
