HOW VU’S BLOCK MODEL IS KICKING GOALS

Victoria University’s award-winning Block Model has reinvented tertiary education in Australia – so why has it been such a huge success with students?

VU’s teaching model offers a single unit of study in four-week blocks (rather than the traditional model where students study several units at once). With smaller workshop-style classes, the Block Model’s practical, career-focused approach also prepares students for the workforce.

WRFL player Alice Growden is in her third year of a Law/Business degree at VU. While consistently achieving top marks, Alice’s life outside of uni – in addition to sport – features several jobs including legal secretary at a law firm. Alice attributes her success to the Block Model’s single-unit focus and adaptable timetable.

“Playing footy is my ‘let go’ activity outside of uni. I have a super busy schedule, but my passion for football means I’ll always make time for it, and the Block Model makes this possible.

At the beginning of my degree I studied in the traditional mode. The workload became stressful, and I struggled to attend trainings and games. With the Block Model, I can choose my class times to suit my other commitments and the workload is evenly spread.”

A year after implementing the Australian-first Block Model, pass rates jumped by over 9 percentage points, with an impressive 48.9% of students achieving distinctions and high distinctions (35% the previous year).