51²è¹Ý

Congratulations on your Early Admission (EA) offer...now let the fun begin. Part party atmosphere, part information download, our EA Welcome Events have been designed to make you feel warm and fuzzy, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for support crews and future students just like you!

The menus are being planned, music is being prepped, and we are preparing for another season of EA Welcome Events. While this may be a busy time for you, here are a few reasons to take a break and attend one of these celebrations...

A life-changing experience

If you’re unsure about what to study next year or if UOW is the right place for you, these events will help you make the right decision. It’s not an overstatement to say they can be life-changing because this experience can impact your degree choice, which may lead you down a completely different path than you had expected. It happens all the time!

Current UOW students and staff, and possibly your future lecturers, will be available to ask those curly questions.

Experience what it’s like to be a UOW student

If you attend an EA Welcome Event at one of our campuses, you will also get a feel for what it’s like being a real-life UOW student. Take a stroll by a duck pond, sit in a lecture theatre, find your nearest vending machine - all the important stuff. You may also meet some of your fellow classemates. It’s never too early to make friends!

Food, entertainment and freebies

Our events team are famous for choosing the best food on offer from local caterers and cafes like our very own Hemingway Cafe on our 51²è¹Ý campus. From mini cheeseburgers to tasty bao buns, this is no dips and crackers event. You will definitely not go home hungry.

And just for turning up, you’ll get a fabulous UOW-style freebie. What is it, I hear you whisper? Come and find out!

But don’t take our word for it, here’s a current UOW student whose decisions were made at an EA Welcome Event in Canberra. Meet Amal! 

What was your reaction when you received the EA Welcome Event invitation?

I was really excited. It felt so rewarding to be recognised for my effort in Year 12. Getting the invitation made everything feel real, like all the hard work was paying off. I was also curious to see what UOW had planned for us, especially since I was thinking about moving away from home for uni. It felt like the perfect chance to see what that might be like.

What were your expectations?

I expected something fairly formal, maybe with a few speeches and general information about UOW. But it turned out to be so much more engaging and welcoming than I imagined. The atmosphere was friendly and gave me a genuine sense of what life at UOW would be like.

 What were your highlights?

Definitely meeting current students and staff. Everyone was so approachable and honest about their experiences. I also really enjoyed meeting other future students who might be attending uni with me, both from different faculties and the same one. It made the whole experience feel more real and helped me start forming connections early.

What information did UOW staff provide?

I spoke with staff about my degree options, scholarships, and accommodation. They were really informative and patient and also explained all the different types of support UOW offers, from academic help to wellbeing services, which really stood out to me.

In what ways did it influence your decision to attend UOW?

The event honestly confirmed that UOW was the right choice for me. Before attending, I was already feeling strongly about UOW, and after visiting and meeting everyone, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to be. The strong sense of community and support made me feel confident that I could thrive here, even while living independently in a new state for the first time.

 What was the impact on your parents’ opinion of UOW?

They were really impressed by how supportive and safe the environment sounded. Talking to staff about accommodation, student support services, and life at UOW, helped ease their worries. Since I am the first one in my family to leave home and live independently, it was a big step for all of us. Hearing about the student support services, safety measures, and close-knit community at UOW reassured them that I would be in good hands.

What advice would you give to a current Year 12 student who is considering attending or not attending?

Definitely go! It is such a valuable experience because you learn so much about what uni life is really like. You get the chance to talk to real students and staff, ask all your questions, and see if it feels like the right fit for you. And if you are thinking about moving away from home, it is a great way to ease those nerves and see how supportive UOW is.

In what ways did this event prepare you to begin your studies at UOW?

It gave me a lot of confidence. I was so glad to meet other future students who were in the same boat as me, getting ready to move out for the first time and start this new chapter.  Knowing I wasn’t the only one feeling nervous made me feel much more comfortable. The event helped me feel connected before I even started classes, and that made the transition to living and studying independently so much smoother.

Any final reflections?

I am really grateful I got to attend. It made such a difference in how prepared and motivated I felt starting uni. It’s one of those events that stays with you because it’s more than just information.

It made a big difference in helping both me and my family feel comfortable with me moving away and beginning a brand-new journey in life.