High Achievers Preparation Program (HAPP)

Fast-Track University Transition

The High Achievers Preparation Program (HAPP) serves as a specialized bridge for students who are already academically strong but need a final push to enter the first year of a bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney. Instead of a full-year foundation course, you engage in a condensed 14-week schedule that mirrors the intensity of a university semester. You will spend roughly 26 hours in class each week, focusing on four key subjects that sharpen your research and analytical skills. This setup ensures that by the time you reach the main university campus, you are already comfortable with the pace and expectations of Australian higher education. 

Active Learning and Assessment

In this course, your progress isn't measured by high-pressure final exams. Instead, the curriculum is competency-based, meaning you demonstrate your skills through varied tasks like oral presentations, research projects on real-world issues, and essays. For those aiming for technical degrees, Science Practicum modules involve laboratory work that builds the hands-on skills needed for undergraduate physics or chemistry. You might find yourself analyzing Australian history or exploring contemporary sociology, using these topics to practice the critical analysis and evidence-evaluation techniques required for university-level writing. 

Life as a High Achiever

Student life in this program is focused and communal. You will work closely with other ambitious international students in group projects, learning to lead and collaborate in an English-speaking academic environment. Taylors College provides a dedicated Student Ambassadors mentoring program that connects you with the University of Sydney early on, helping you navigate the transition from high school. Whether you are solving problems in Advanced Mathematics or discussing social structures in Sociology, the experience is designed to be social and supportive rather than just theoretical. 

Pathways to a Degree

The ultimate goal of HAPP is a seamless move into your chosen undergraduate course. Upon being deemed "competent" in all four subjects and meeting the specific GPA requirements for your target degree, you can progress directly into the first year of a wide range of programs, from Engineering and Arts to Veterinary Bioscience. The curriculum is specifically curated by the combined expertise of the University of Sydney and Taylors College, ensuring that every assignment you complete directly prepares you for the specific demands of your future career path.