A range of Certificate IV and Diploma level courses will be available to school leavers and students who may not be in a position to go to university because of their ATAR score, cost or other boundaries.

TAFE New England director Peter Heilbuth said the agreement was a win-win situation for both institutions.

As the two biggest educational organisations in the region, it’s important that we work together and not compete,” he said.

“By working together we can provide many more options for the region’s students. The partnership ensures that students are guaranteed acceptance into the relevant Bachelor degree upon completion of a Diploma level course.”

“Diploma students will be granted advanced standing and recognition of prior learning into the UNE degree, relevant to the course completed at TNE.

Mr Heilbuth said the Pathway courses are open to everyone.

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall congratulated TAFE and the UNE on the agreement.

“This will no doubt provide opportunities for local students through TAFE to go to University and it can only be seen as a positive move,” he said.

“It will have enormous benefit to mature age students who can now use this pathway to get a university education they might not have previously thought possible.

“I think this partnership is terrific and exactly what we need to see more of across the state, more collaboration between education providers.”