Sarah-Joy Wolhuter has not only road-tested some uni courses before leaving high-school, she will also be a term ahead of other first-years when she arrives on campus next year.

The Rockhampton Heights College Year 12 student has already studied journalism, public relations, business computing and professional writing subjects at Central Queensland University.

Sarah-Joy Wolhuter

She is part of a trend for high schoolers to enrol in uni-level subjects to get a head start, which has recently been packaged as the Start Uni Now (SUN) program.

Sarah-Joy said she intended to continue with the type of courses she had road-tested.

"I wasn't sure about choosing Journalism or Professional Communication as a university program, but now that I've tried a few of the courses, it's my first preference after I graduate from high school," she said.

"Professional Communication is also a great degree, because it has industry accreditation, which will help me find a job once I graduate.

"I would recommend doing the SUN program, relevant to whatever area students are interested in, because it's a great way to see what's out there, and all the available possibilities.

"Also, it's a chance to get ahead and learn some excellent life skills and study skills - the things I've learnt during my courses have even helped with my schoolwork and finishing Year 12."

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 .