Central Queensland University Mackay Education students who opted to return this spring semester to study could be rewarded with as much as $40 000 next year.

This optional “third” semester allows Education students to earn a degree faster than most students at other Australian universities who study two semesters-a-year.

CQU Mackay Education sub-dean Associate Professor Bruce Knight said the fast-tracking option proved extremely popular with students because they can gain employment a year before most other Australian university graduates.

“Provided they find a job, CQU graduates could be earning about $40 000 in their first year while other Australian university students were completing their final year of studies,” he said.

In order to complete a four-year degree in three years, the students study this semester for the next five weeks and enrol in an additional subject in other semesters.

About 170 Bachelor of Learning Management students are back on campus to begin their spring semester studies having finished exams for last semester three weeks ago.

Above CQU Education students Melissa Millen and Jennifer Place are among those who began spring semester studies last week.

Left: CQU Education Lecturer Liz Legg instructs the education students on strategies for developing children’s confidence in the pool.