The answer for this one is YES and NO.  It depends on your choice of study component, for undergraduate certificate and Diploma study for academic recognition yes there is an ATAR requirement. For the audit option of the IMPACT Gap Year there is no ATAR requirement.  

However if you have completed a different form of higher education, didn’t receive an ATAR or your ATAR may not meet the requirement, we would still recommend that you get in touch with our team so that we can discuss other pathways to study that might be available for you and enable your participation in the IMPACT Gap Year.  

The IMPACT Gap Year is designed with young adults in mind. Therefore, we say 17-21 is our age range, however, if you are 16 or 22 or just a bit outside that range please contact our team as we want to support you in your journey. If it turns out the Gap Year isn’t the right option we can point you in the right direction of other courses or programs that might support your development.  

YES! The costs of the IMPACT Gap Year vary depending on the study option selected when enrolling (see the program costs section of our website for more info). YES! There are payment options available, including FEE-Help portions, scholarships that you can apply for through Morling College. We are also able to offer instalment payment options throughout the year.   

We would never want money to hold a young adult back in their journey of development with Jesus, so if money is a concern for you, please contact our team so we can work through the options with you and find the best way forward so that you can be part of the IMPACT Gap Year program.  

In 2024 the IMPACT Gap Year program is only available through the Sydney campus of Morling College. There will be parts of the program that are offered online (particularly for those who may need to isolate due to Covid) however it is recommended that students live within a commutable distance to the Macquarie Park Morling Campus. (which is easily accessible by car or public transport).  

For those who may want to relocate to be closer to campus, we have arranged a partnership with Morling Residential College where students can access quality accommodation and a low rate and live on campus during their gap year.  For more info on the MRC check out their website. https://www.morlingresidential.com/ 

NO! Whilst the IMPACT Gap Year is a partnership between NSW Baptist Youth and Young Adults Ministries and Morling College it is a program open to any young adult who is a follower of Jesus and who wants to learn more about themselves, grow in their faith, and connect with community and ministry. We do value the support that a local church environment offers, so we do encourage IMPACT Gap Year students to be serving in their current local church community. However, if you are between churches right now or relocating to campus, we are also connected to churches that would welcome you to be a temporary part of their community during your gap year.  

The answer to this question is complex! If you are an international student who is interested in the IMPACT Gap Year, please contact our team so that we can discuss your current visa or visa requirements before enrolling to ensure that the level of study meets your visa needs.  

Sure can! The IMPACT Gap Year is about developing young adults in 4 Key areas of their lives FAITH, COMMUNITY, LIFE and MINISTRY. We recognise that much of this development can happen through classroom studies which is why we have our undergraduate certificate and diploma study option. But we also recognise that experience, shared cohort relationships and personal investment also enhance opportunities to grow as a young adult. Our team of development coaches have created a year-long program to make the gap year experience IMPACTFUL! They will meet one on one and as a group, running facilitated experiences, community visitations, creative learning environments, retreats and mission trip, reflections and debriefs, and fun social outings throughout the year. The development coaches are there to cheer the young adults on, and to journey with them as they grow throughout the year.  

It’s all about the amount of study you want to undertake in your gap year. If you are super keen to learn but don’t want to submit assignments or have academic recognition at the end of your gap year then you should choose the audit option. This option means you attend classes and take part in personal development experiences but receive no academic award.  

If you are looking for academic recognition at the end of your gap year or academic credit towards an additional level of study in the future, then the undergraduate certificate or Diploma are the options for you!  

The undergraduate certificate includes 5 units of study, and the Diploma includes 8 units of study. 

(A student may choose to complete an undergraduate certificate and then continue to enrol in an additional 3 units to gain their Diploma later.) 

YES! What an amazing way to step into growing in your relationship with Jesus! With development coaches to support you and formational biblical teaching around the New and Old Testament, this is a program that any new Christian can engage with! 

YES! The impact Gap Year is a great opportunity to put your understanding of the gospel into practice with practical opportunities and experiences as well as academic theological study to stretch and grow your faith, there is so much for a mature Christian to engage within the IMPACT Gap Year!  

With the IMPACT’s of Covid on travel, the location of our mission trip may change from year to year. However, we have a partnership with Baptist Mission Australia and these guys are gifted in doing missions in cross-cultural contexts! They are the experts and it’s what they do! So, each year we come together to plan a mission exposure trip that will help gap year students explore what cross-cultural mission is all about and provide a life-changing formational experience!