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At Curtin, we want everyone to be able to access the benefits of higher education. We provide a range of Curtin courses that our incarcerated students can study while in prison, helping them gain valuable skills and confidence, enhancing their career opportunities, and decreasing their chances of recidivism.
Discover more about how Curtin’s engagement and outreach programs aim to make a difference in people’s lives.
Courses available
We offer our enabling courses face-to-face in some Western Australian prisons, and also have a range of bachelor, graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master courses available to be studied via distance education directly through Curtin or via Open Universities Australia (OUA).
We know that as an incarcerated student, you have a unique study environment and may experience restrictions with internet access, accessing learning materials and undertaking assessments. We provide support and adjustments to accommodate these needs, such as:
Blackboard: All learning materials will be available via Curtin’s Leaning Management System (Blackboard) and can be downloaded by a prison staff member to a local area network.
Textbooks: If you need access to specific textbooks(s), these are available for purchase / loan either in hardcopy or fully downloadable format. Textbook and resource grants may be available to students who demonstrate financial hardship.
Specialised software: If you’re required to use specialised software, this is disclosed clearly in the unit outline to ensure that your prison can support implementation. Where possible, your Unit Coordinator may approve alternative software.
External content: Links to third party learning materials (such as YouTube) are often problematic for prisons to access due to security restrictions / firewalls. Where possible, we check units to ensure third party materials are not essential learning, or can be accessed and downloaded in a copyright compliant manner.
Group work assessments: You’ll be offered an alternative assessment if required.
Online assessments: Where online real time assessments are required, you’ll be offered an alternative assessment, such as a hard copy assessment invigilated by prison education staff.
Oral presentations: If this is a requirement of a unit, you’ll be offered an alternative assessment.
Assessment deadlines: Where necessary, you’ll be granted appropriate assessment extensions based on individual or prison-based circumstances.
Real time class participation: where a unit requires mandatory participation (such as chat groups or discussion boards), you’ll be offered an alternative assessment if required.
Practicums: Where a Curtin course requires students to undertake a mandatory practicum or fieldwork placement, this will be clearly communicated to you during the application process to ensure appropriate progression and completion planning.
Curtin students can apply for a range of scholarships including ones that are academic merit, equity-based / financial hardship and/or specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Â Applications are welcomed from incarcerated students.
How to apply
The application process differs between courses offered directly through Curtin and those offered through OUA. If you’re not sure which application process to follow, please contact prisonoutreach@curtin.edu.au
Courses offered directly through Curtin (two semesters per year – February and July)
Applications for direct enrolment with Curtin can be lodged by email. Please ensure that you provide copies of student academic transcript in the application. To request an application form please email prisonoutreach@curtin.edu.au
Courses offered via Open University Australia (four study periods per year – February, May, August and November)
Contact us
Need more information? We’re here to help.
Curtin Prison Outreach
Contact Curtin Prison Outreach for course availability, requesting detailed unit outlines, course entry requirements, application assistance; advice and guidance on assessment extension and alternative assessment arrangements; student support (e.g. assistance accessing study resources); and assistance contacting academic and teaching staff across Curtin.
Contact Curtin Design and the Built Environment for enquiries related to courses including Construction Management, Project Management, Planning, Geography and Environment and Climate Emergency.
