article: State Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has called the Scot's College university shortcut 'unfair,' after it was released that school students could buy their way into university without completing their HSC. Tuition, sporting and curricula fees for Scot's College, one of Sydney's most prestigious schools, reportedly top $30,000 . The University of Sydney have been running a 17-week diploma for Year 11 students at Scot's College to skip their year 12 exams and 'buy' their entry into the sandstone university. 'Access to university should be fair and equitable,' Mr Piccoli told Fairfax Media. 'Any scheme that gives some students an unfair advantage is unacceptable and I will be discussing this with the federal government, which is responsible for universities.' Eight Scot's students gained 'direct entry' to the university after completing the program in 2014, according to a letter sent to parents by principal Dr Ian Lambert, while 166 students completed the HSC. The program was devised by the university's commercial arm, Sydney Learning, and students who completed the course successfully were guaranteed places in a number of undergraduate level courses, including bachelor degrees in health sciences, liberal arts and science, animal and veterinary bioscience, visual arts, music and oral health, or in a diploma of law. Opposition leader Luke Foley is concerned over how this alternative would impact the HSC. 'We have a federal Coalition government intent on linking university admission to wealth, more and more, and these are the sorts of arrangements that flow from the Abbott government's reform of our higher education sector,' he said. The Sydney Morning Herald have reported that concern within the University of Sydney staff has led to its academic board shutting down this alternative pathway for school students. Sandstone halls: The University of Sydney's commercial arm, Sydney Learning, has run the pilot program with Scot's College. Pictured above is the university's clocktower and the eastern range of its main building precinct . However, at the time it was shutdown, the board was unaware that Scot's College were planning the pilot with another 11 boys this year. My Foley is worried that this pathway will be picked up by other universities and elite high schools. Scot's College does not advertise their fees for tuition, sport and other curriculum activities, but in 2013 they were reported to be $30,900 per year with an extra $24,121 for boarders. Scot's College: Dr Lambert, the college's chief, was quoted telling the Sydney Morning Herald that the diploma was designed with students 'in the middle rank of learners' in mind . Rose Steele, the president of the National Union of Students, told Daily Mail Australia that while it was important there were alternative pathways available for students to gain entry to university, it was 'really concerning' if this program was only open to students who could afford it. 'NUS really believes education should be open to all and not just those who can afford it,' Ms Steele said. Daily Mail Australia approached the University of Sydney and Scot's College for comment on Monday morning. Principal Ian Lambert has rejected the notion that it was an exclusive deal for Scot's College. He agrees that the current HSC grading system works for the top 20 percent of students, but not for middle-ranking students. Do you know more? Daniel.Piotrowski@mailonline.com .
highlights: Pilot program allows students at one of Sydney's most prestigious schools to bypass the Higher School Certificate and attend Sydney University .
  Successful completion of the 17-week guarantees Scot's College students a place in a number of undergraduate courses, including law .
  State Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has called this shortcut 'unfair'
  Tuition, sporting and curriculum-related fees at the college reportedly topped $30,000 per year in 2013 .
  Opposition Minister Luke Foley concerned this will impact success of HSC .
  'Education should be open to all, not just those who can afford it,' National Union of Students spokeswoman tells Daily Mail Australia .
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