Biloela schoolgirl Jordan Hoyland is already studying university-level teaching subjects, despite having a year to go before completing secondary studies.

The 16-year-old Year 11 student at Biloela State High School has already completed the subject 'Learning Management' and is now enrolled in 'Futures' at Central Queensland University.

"I'm eager to get head starts whenever I can, and so starting uni while I'm at school sounded like a good idea," Jordan said.

"I have chosen a teaching career which has minimal pre-requisites, so when it came to studying subjects that I didn't need versus starting down the path to my goals, obviously getting closer to your goals is the better option, so I went for it."

Jordan said she is getting good support from her teachers and lecturers - as well as the other students via email and the online forums - and believes she will be able to cope with juggling Year 12 and university.

She recently had the chance to show her responsibility and maturity when she acted as a chaperone for younger school students who were visiting CQU Rockhampton on an excursion.

Jordan may have a full program of study but she is not neglecting other pursuits.

"I'm on the open girls' soccer team after school, and I love to draw whenever I can. I used to go horse riding every week too, and in the warmer weather I usually join a bunch of friends for sport on a Sunday afternoon," she said.

Biloela teacher Danielle Carige discusses Jordan Hoyland's progress at school and university levels

CQU is now encouraging a greater range of high school students to get a headstart on their career by studying university courses while still in school.

Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard recently (Sept 10) launched the Start Uni Now (SUN) program. The program encourages students in years 10, 11 and 12 to undertake individual university courses to start their university career and possibly graduate early.

"Similar to the programs that exist for TAFE courses and apprenticeships, CQU courses will contribute toward a student's Year 12 senior certificate and will be credited towards a university degree after high school," explained CQU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor and Executive Dean Richard Smith.

"In fact, if a student passes all their courses and meets all the prerequisites, they can be guaranteed entry into a CQU undergraduate degree related to their SUN courses."

Students are eligible to enrol in one course per term, with no more than 4 courses during their period of study. Courses in learning management, accounting, creative enterprise, history, animation, dance, marketing, computing, and organisational behaviour are just some on offer to students.

Courses are offered both on-campus for face-to-face teaching and online for convenience.

SUN program students are recognised as CQU students, and as such will have access to all the CQU student support services and facilities, like any other CQU student.

"One of the great benefits for high school students is having access to the wonderful resources of the CQU Library, which enables online links to the contents of other libraries around the world," Professor Smith said.

He said SUN students were being given access to tertiary education at a more affordable rate than if they waited to complete Year 12 and entered through the OP system.

For more information about the SUN program and how you can benefit from these affordable university courses contact CQU on 1300 360 444 or visit the website www.cqu.edu.au/sun .