Hundreds of high school students from underrepresented backgrounds will experience UNSW life firsthand through the Gateway Program’s flagship on-campus events.
On Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 July, UNSW Sydney will host our Gateway Year 11 and 12 on-campus days alongside our Regional Residential Program. This initiative welcomes hundreds of students from equity backgrounds, including those from Gateway schools, and low socio-economic, regional and remote areas.
“These experiences are key to building students’ confidence and sense of belonging. The Gateway Program is a unique set of learning experiences for Year 11 and 12 students which guides their key decision-making about their future at UNSW,” says Mary Teague, Director of Equity at UNSW.
The events provide hands-on learning through faculty-led workshops, interactive masterclasses, campus tours and social activities, all designed to provide students with the navigational tools to explore degrees and immerse themselves in university life.
Students can choose from a wide selection of experiential faculty sessions that range from designing hydrogen-powered cars to simulating disease outbreaks. One standout session, Sleep Like a Rose , led by the Discipline of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, invites students to prepare a therapeutic cream for insomnia and explore the science behind sleep and wellbeing.
“This kind of hands-on experience can ignite a lifelong curiosity. It’s incredibly powerful for students to witness the integration of art and science in healthcare and even more so when they can envision themselves as part of it. Taking their compounded product home not only reinforces their learning, but also encourages them to share their experience with friends and family, deepening their reflection beyond the classroom,” says Dr Ramesh Walpola, Pharmacy Academic Lead.
The Gateway Residential Program
The Gateway Regional Residential Program will fully support Year 12 students while they spend four days in Sydney to attend events at UNSW. This year, students will travel from across New South Wales, with some journeying more than 700 kilometres from Junction Hill in the state’s north. The program includes cultural experiences unique to Sydney that bring learning to life beyond the classroom.
The program has support across the University, with all faculties running sessions and many divisions supporting logistics and engagement. Current students, many from similar backgrounds or who joined via the Gateway Admission Pathway, are involved as ambassadors and mentors, offering valuable insights and acting as important role models.
“Many of the regional students I spoke to said it was eye-opening to see what is possible through higher education. Some were considering university for the first time after seeing others like them on this path,” one ambassador after last year’s event says.
Welcoming our Gateway students
With the Gateway visits just around the corner, everyone is encouraged to ensure students are welcomed at UNSW. Whether offering a friendly conversation, directions on campus, or information about degrees, these connections with students are important in forming their perceptions of UNSW as an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Learn more about how the UNSW Gateway Program is supporting students from all backgrounds to pursue university and explore its outcomes in the 2025 Impact Statement.
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