What is The Academy?
The Academy is an exciting opportunity that will provide high-achieving students with a unique learning experience and the confidence to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. With a focus on ethical leadership, our students will be provided with extension level academic study experiences, professional and personal development workshops, and a range of engagement projects, initiatives and internships taking them into the community and beyond.
Joining The Academy
Why should I join The Academy?
The opportunities provided by The Academy will allow students to graduate with so much more than just their degree. They will be ahead of their peers in regards to professional, personal and academic experiences and will be ready to hit the ground running with their career and plans for their future.
The Academy will gain a reputation among industry employers and graduate recruiters whereby students graduating with ‘The Academy Citizen Scholar’ on their AHEGS will be looked upon favourably when trying to secure employment. The Academy also provides Learning Zones which are part member common rooms/social spaces and part study spaces at Kingswood, Hawkesbury, Bankstown and Campbelltown.
How do I join The Academy?
There are various ways to become a member of The Academy.
New commencing students:- Students who are studying an Advanced Degree at Western.
- Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Leadership and Critical Thinking (BALCT).
- Students who are part of the Academy Access Award or the Academy Global Leaders Program.
- Students who received an ATAR of 90+
Current Western Sydney University students:Current students may be invited to join The Academy subject to the student:
- Achieving a GPA of 5.5 or more at the completion of the Autumn or Spring session.
- Having at least 50 credit points remaining on their undergraduate degree. Students may enrol in the BALCT degree in order to meet this criterion.
Is there a cost to join The Academy?
There is no cost to be part of the Academy. Students are invited to apply for the various funded opportunities that the Academy offers that are advertised via our communication channels.
Does joining The Academy change my course status?
No. Joining The Academy does not change your course status.
Are The Academy activities and opportunities compulsory?
No. All members of The Academy have a choice to opt-in to participate in the events, workshops and opportunities that interest them.
Can International students join The Academy?
Yes, any student who meets the eligibility criteria can join The Academy regardless of citizenship status.
Learning Zones
Due to Covid-19 all Academy Learning Zones are currently closed. We will announce in our Academy newsletter once the Learning Zones can be accessed again.
What is a Learning Zone?
The Learning Zones are on-campus spaces designed for the enjoyment and benefit of The Academy’s members. The Learning Zones provide students with dedicated facilities in which they can socialise with other members, enjoy quiet study time or take part in events and a range of other activities organised by The Academy. Each Learning Zone is unique and contains comfortable seating and group study areas.
Using the Learning Zone is subject to several guidelines, for more information please visit the Learning Zones webpage.
Where are the Learning Zones?
For the campus locations and opening hours please visit the Learning Zones webpage.
How do I access the Learning Zone?
Swipe access will be applied to your student ID card.
In case your swipe access is not working, please visit a Campus Security office, tell them you are an Academy member and have your swipe access permissions checked. If Security are unable to locate you on The Academy database, please have them call The Academy to confirm your membership status.
New Academy Members: At the start of semester it might take several weeks before your swipe access is activated, we thank you for your patience during this time.
Bachelor of Applied Leadership and Critical Thinking
What is the Bachelor of Applied Leadership and Critical Thinking?
The Bachelor of Applied Leadership and Critical Thinking (BALCT) is a unique degree that students with an ATAR of 85+ (for new students) or a GPA of 5+ (for continuing students) can take concurrently with their other degrees. The BALCT offers a unique multidisciplinary opportunity to our future leaders, WSU students, who want to gain knowledge and learn from hands-on experiences about leadership, ethics, research abilities, innovation, creativity, critical and design thinking. By enrolling in the BALCT degree, you will get the chance to work with high achieving students from various disciplines across the university. This multi-discipline environment truly mimics a work environment and students find their learning experience stimulating and engaging.
How many credit points do I need to complete the BALCT degree?
For students enrolled in eligible degrees at WSU, The Academy recognises 160 credit points from their degree as advanced standing in the BALCT degree. This means that in the BALCT, students have to complete only 8 units to graduate from the BALCT as well as their other degree.
What is the ATAR cut-off for the BALCT?
This course is made available to high achieving students only. To be eligible for admission to the BALCT a student must attain a minimum ATAR of 85.
Is the BALCT compulsory for Academy members?
This degree is not compulsory, but we encourage students who desire the intellectual and professional challenge, and who are looking to ‘stand-out’ from their peers, to enrol in the program.
Citizen Scholar Program
What is the Citizen Scholar Program and how do I join?
Communication
How does The Academy communicate with members?
We use several forms of communication to make sure that members are aware of all of the upcoming opportunities, workshops, events and overseas experiences. We have a weekly e-newsletter called 'Inside the A' which is emailed to members each Tuesday. We have our public Facebook page for announcements, and our members-only Facebook page for chats, discussions and more information.
Contact us
