What is Countrywide?
The ANU's Countrywide Access Scheme is part of the University's commitment to equality of access to tertiary education for all Australians. It is an access scheme for applicants with strong academic potential who have been disadvantaged during high school. Conditions such as geographical isolation, lack of school facilities, low family income or emotional trauma can mean that these students fall below the required Universities Admissions Index (UAI) for their chosen program. How does Countrywide work?
The places available to students through Countrywide are allocated on the basis of relative academic merit rather than the extent or type of disadvantage. All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements of the Scheme will compete for selection on a UAI lower than that required for standard entry to the degree programs for which they have applied. Are you eligible?
There are a few formal requirements for entry to ANU's Countrywide Access Scheme. To be eligible you must: - be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Australia;
- have never undertaken any tertiary level study (diploma, associate diploma or higher) at TAFE, university or other recognised tertiary institution in Australia or overseas (Year 12 students who have studied university extension or enhancement courses may apply through the Scheme);
- be undertaking or have completed an approved Australian year 12 qualification, tertiary preparation program or other non tertiary program of study which meets the requirements for minimum admission to undergraduate study at the ANU;
- be applying for admission to an undergraduate award program at the university (except programs in visual arts or music);
- meet all the prerequisites for the program of your choice. For information about this, contact the ANU Admissions Office on (02) 6125 5594.
Is Countrywide for you?
The Scheme is designed for people who have experienced serious disadvantages with one or more of the following- - Disrupted Schooling
- Financial Hardship
- Severe Family Disruption
- Adverse Study Conditions
- Suffered Abuse
- Excessive Family Responsibilities
- English Language Difficulty
- Personal Illness/Disability
- School Evironment
- Geographical Isolation
How do you apply?
For admission to the ANU through the Countrywide Access Scheme, you must make two separate applications: - Apply for entrance to university through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). You must include at least one preference for a degree program at the ANU. (Please note that this does not include preferences for programs in Visual Arts, Digital Arts or Music.) The closing date for UAC is the 30 September 2008 (applications may be lodged until the date specified in the UAC Guide but attract a late fee). Application procedure is detailed in the UAC Guide.
- Complete a separate Educational Access Scheme (EAS) application form via UAC http://www.uac.edu.au/uac/eas.html Applications must be lodged with UAC by 30 September 2009.
If you think you may be eligible for the Countrywide Access Scheme, it is better to apply even if you expect to meet standard entry requirements. Closing date for Countrywide applications is 30 September 2009. All applications will be treated confidentially. Notification of Place
Offers of Countrywide places at the ANU will be made in mid/late January through the UAC main round. Accommodation Bursaries
The University offers a limited number of accommodation bursaries to students who are experiencing extreme financial hardship and have applied for accommodation in a Hall or College on campus. For further information on accommodation and bursaries, please telephone the University Accommodation Service on Ph (02) 6125 1100. Contact Details
If you need more information, please contact the Countrywide Acess Scheme Coordinator on - Telephone: (02) 6125 3601
Fax: (02) 6125 5550
E-mail: countrywide.office@anu.edu.au | 
