Frequently Asked Questions

Focussing on excellence in academics, leadership, and personal achievement, the Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) encourages and guides undergraduate students to reach their full potential to help give them the edge over their peers.

The Schools Initiative is an early entry membership to the Student Academy of Excellence for high-achieving secondary students from Griffith University Partner Schools. Members have access to mentoring, workshops and experiences designed to enhance and expand their achievements.

You will be offered opportunities to develop and enhance your academic and communication skills, build academic networks, and work on your goals for both study and career. In addition, you will have access to mentoring with active SAE undergraduate members.

No. The Student Academy of Excellence does not have a membership fee and participation costs for events are covered/funded by the University. Some optional activities may incur incidental costs, such as travel to and from external venues.

While mentors are not available 24/7, you will be able to speak directly with them in our online mentoring platform during rostered mentor sessions and workshops. You will also be able to leave messages through this platform or send an email to our dedicated address any time you wish.

Most of the time, you will connect with your mentors online either as a small group or one-on-one. There will also be in-person events and activities during which you may be in small groups with a mentor. These may be either on campus or at an off-site venue.

Mentors provide learning and development support including advice on topics such as study skills, goal setting, academic writing and research skills, application writing, time and stress management, and career planning. As students who only quite recently completed their secondary schooling to embark on their tertiary studies, they will be able to share valuable insights from their own experiences.

You will have access to academic mentoring (not tutoring) which may be of benefit to you in your current school studies.

Opportunities to volunteer or study abroad are not available to secondary school students who are members of the Student Academy of Excellence (SAE). However, these opportunities will become available to you once you are an undergraduate member of the SAE.

International opportunities are only available once you are enrolled and studying as an undergraduate student at Griffith University. One of the key opportunities that the SAE currently offers is a volunteering abroad program to Cambodia working with key NGOs in the region. Other opportunities include study exchange programs (through Griffith International) and one-off scholarships to conferences and conventions around the world. Please note these are highly competitive and are not necessarily limited to SAE's undergraduate members.

On-campus and/or events held off-site are not mandatory as we understand that you have busy schedules. However, if you progress through to the Year 11 and 12 offerings, you may be required to fulfil certain criteria.

The Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) Schools Initiative has created a program aimed at supporting you in a way that has as low an impact as possible on your current commitments.

Secondary school students who are members of the Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) will be expected to maintain a minimum of a B standard at school and participate in our schedule of events. We have endeavoured to structure a program that aligns well with your school's expectations of high achievers and will include activities to help you manage the stress that is often experienced by high achieving students.

At the end of each year, you will be invited to continue as a member of the Student Academy of Excellence based on your grades and involvement. Should you complete your Year 12 studies and be accepted into Griffith University in an undergraduate degree program, your membership will continue.

The Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) undergraduate program has members from every discipline (subject area), including Griffith Sports College and all arts-based programs, including Queensland College of Art, Griffith Film School, and Queensland Conservatorium. The same applies for those students who are successful in gaining a place in the SAE Secondary Schools Initiative.

The Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) provides experiences and opportunities aimed at developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. Interdisciplinary collaboration occurs during all these experiences and opportunities. These interactions can allow students to gain different perspectives which may enhance their academic experience.

Information about all the programs of study and possible pre-study opportunities at Griffith, including the current ATAR requirement, can be found at the study website. For example, if you search 'nursing' you will find the degree you are looking for. Griffith holds an Open Day on Nathan and Gold Coast campuses each year, which may also be a great opportunity to find out about study options and pre-requisite subjects.

The Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) Secondary Schools Initiative will not be providing specific sporting activities. However, there may be opportunities for you to find out about the Griffith Sports College and potential scholarships. In the meantime, you may find further information at Griffith Sports College.

Year 11 and 12 members will have some access to library resources such as physical borrowing.

To find out more about how to apply to study at Griffith, visit the study website. Our Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) mentors will also be able to answer members' questions. If you maintain membership in the secondary schools initiative and are successful in your application to study at Griffith, you may be invited to continue your membership in the Student Academy of Excellence as an undergraduate student.

Our initial advice would be for you to speak with a trusted staff member at your school if you ever feel unsafe. They can support and advise you as to how to notify the Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) about your concerns. All SAE staff and mentors have a current Queensland 'Working with Children' (Blue) Card and are bound by a code of conduct. Further information about the code of conduct is included in the Mentoring Handbook provided to all mentors and secondary student members.

The Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) Secondary Schools Initiative does not provide guaranteed entry or ATAR adjustment; however, there may be opportunities for you to find out about these things along the way.

Visit our  Student Academy of Excellence webpage on the Griffith University website where you will find information about both our Secondary Schools Initiative and our undergraduate program.