First U@Uni graduates mark equity milestone at UTS

For UTS, these graduations represent more than personal triumphs—they’re a powerful validation of the university’s commitment to equity and its belief in the potential of students from all walks of life.

‘Watching our U@Uni students step onto the graduation stage is one of the most moving reminders of why equity matters so deeply. Behind each smile, each proud glance to the crowd, is a journey marked by courage, quiet resilience, and an unshakable belief in themselves, in their futures, and in the possibility that education could take them somewhere they once only dreamed of,’ says Sonal Singh, Head of Equity Pathways at UTS.

‘These students haven’t just made it through; they’ve redefined what success looks like. They remind us that brilliance lives in every community, and that talent is everywhere if we’re willing to see it.’

Launched in 2020, the U@Uni Academy is a pioneering, non-ATAR pathway program supporting high school students from low socio-economic backgrounds in South-west Sydney. It focuses on developing 21st century skills, providing immersive on-campus experiences and offering tailored transition support. Since its inception, the Academy has offered places to over 1,000 students from our partners schools, with over 87 per cent converting to enrolment at UTS.

‘We are proud to be the university of choice for these young people. The U@Uni Academy strengthens UTS by showing what’s possible when universities create new pathways that challenge traditional admissions models and better reflect the diversity of Australian communities. This program is not just about opening doors – it is about building futures,’ said Sara Denize, Associate Dean, Education at the UTS Business School.

The U@Uni Academy is just one of a suite of programs to reduce reliance on ATAR-based admissions at UTS, under the UTS Pathways Plan. Through plan, we are embracing more flexible, inclusive entry routes into higher education and effecting broader structural change that will dismantle barriers to entry and success.

Equity and diversity are guiding principles at UTS, and the Pathways Plan reflects these values in a bold approach to accessible and inclusive higher education for all. 

The success of our first UTS graduates who came through the U@Uni program is a reminder that talent exists in every community, and that with the right support, students from all backgrounds can thrive at university.

‘U@Uni has never just been a program. It is a promise,’ said Ms Singh. ‘A promise that every young person, no matter where they come from, deserves the chance to thrive. When we believe in their potential, when we walk beside them, doors open, possibilities expand, and futures are transformed. That is the kind of change that lasts.’