A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A 

Academic year

See Session

Advanced standing

You may be granted advanced standing (credit transfer) for previous study or experience. This means you do not have to take a particular subject because you have already learned what you need to know.

Alumni

Former students of a school or university. For information about the UOW alumni benefits program, click here.

Assumed knowledge

The university may assume you have studied particular subjects in the NSW HSC (or equivalent). For example, if HSC Mathematics Extension 1 is ‘assumed knowledge’ for a degree and you studied HSC Mathematics, you may find related subjects in your degree difficult. Assumed knowledge is not compulsory for entry to UOW.

B 

Bachelor degree

The first level of tertiary study, requiring three to four years of full-time study, or part-time equivalent; it is also referred to as a degree, program (of study) or course.

Bridging course

Provides background knowledge in an area that may not have been covered in a student’s HSC subjects (or equivalent). Download an application form or phone UniAdvice on 1300 367 869. 

C 

Census date

The date by which you must have finalised your subject selection and payment for a particular session.

Commonwealth supported place

A university place for which the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of the tertiary course. 

Commonwealth supported student

A student who is studying in a Commonwealth supported place.   

Core subjects

Compulsory subjects. Some degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Creative Arts) have a relatively large proportion of core subjects, while others (e.g. Bachelor of Arts) allow students to pick a variety of electives.

Credit points

Each subject accrues credit points towards a degree. Credit points are a measure of student workload. Most subjects have a value of six or eight credit points. Full-time students normally complete 48 credit points per year (144 credit points over the course of a three-year Bachelor degree or 192 credit points over the course of a four-year Bachelor degree). An average workload for a 48 credit point year is up to 48 hours per week, including classes and private study. Part-time students enrol in less than 18 credit points per session.

D 

Domestic students

An Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa. New Zealand citizens and holders of other permanent visas who will be residing in Australia for the duration of their study are also considered domestic students, but are not eligible for HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loans and must pay tuition fees up front.

Double degree

Two Bachelor degrees studied simultaneously—usually completed in four to six years

E 

Early Entry

A system whereby HSC students can be interviewed for a place at UOW before they sit their HSC exams.  MORE

Electives

Subjects that are not compulsory to a degree, but which can be chosen from a variety of areas. You can take an elective to complement your major area of study, or simply because you’re interested in it. Most degrees require you to pick several electives.

Enrolment

After you have been offered a place in a degree, you will be required to accept the offer and enrol. This involves registering your subject choices. Successful applicants receive enrolment and orientation details with their offer.

Entry requirements

The minimum qualifications or experience required for entry into a particular course

F 

FEE-HELP

A Government loan scheme that helps eligible full fee paying students with their tuition fees.

Full-time or part-time

Full-time students usually enrol in a total of 48 credit points per year for a three-year degree (four subjects or 24 credit points per session). Part-time students usually enrol in fewer than 18 credit points per session. Full- or part-time status is determined by the number of credit points in which you enrol. Only some subjects are offered at night.

G 

H 

HECS-HELP

A loan scheme that helps eligible Commonwealth supported students with their student contribution. HECS-HELP is not means tested.

Honours

For most three-year degrees, Honours is available to high-achieving students as a fourth year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent). For a four- or five-year course, Honours is awarded for meritorious performance throughout the degree. Admission requirements and classes of Honours awarded are defined in the course rules of the UOW Undergraduate Calendar.

I 

J 

K 

L 

Lectures

Weekly (sometimes twice-weekly) group information sessions that generally last one or two hours. You may have two or more lectures consecutively.

M 

Major

A specialisation in an undergraduate degree.

N 

NSW HSC

The New South Wales Higher School Certificate. 

O 

Orientation     

A program of events designed to help you acclimatise to the university, its procedures, facilities and the degree program in which you have enrolled before lectures and tutorials begin

P 

Points to UOW

Extra UAI points can be awarded to applicants if they have excelled in HSC subjects relevant to their degree. MORE

Postgraduate

The second level of tertiary study (e.g. Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters degree or PhD), which can be attained after you have graduated with a Bachelor degree

Q 

R 

Recommended studies           

You may find some subjects in your degree easier if you successfully complete the recommended HSC subjects.

S 

Session

The academic year is divided into three parts: the Autumn Session (13 weeks, February–June); the Spring Session (13 weeks, July–November); and an optional Summer Session (seven weeks). Sessions are also referred to as ‘semesters’.

StartSmart

StartSmart - An online course that introduces students to the skills necessary for finding, using and evaluating information at and through the Uni Library. Compulsory for all new undergraduates and new postgraduate coursework students who haven't completed the online StartSmart assignment in the last 5 years.

T 

TAFE (NSW)    

Technical and Further Education New South Wales, a provider of vocational education and training courses. 

Testamur        

The official document you receive at your graduation ceremony signifying the award of a qualification upon successful completion of a program of study.    

Tutorial           

Students are divided into groups to discuss subject matter in depth, or to receive personalised assistance from their tutor. Some subjects will also include seminars, practical classes and laboratory work.

U 

UAC

Universities Admissions Centre—the central office that receives and processes applications for admission to most undergraduate degrees in NSW and the ACT. All Year 12 students must apply through UAC.

UAI score (or equivalent)

Universities Admission Index—a rank between 0.00 and 100.00 (in increments of 0.05) that provides information about how students perform overall against other students. This assists universities in ranking applicants for selection. Applicants who have not completed the NSW HSC will have a UAI score calculated based on other information provided to assist in determining their eligibility for a degree, e.g. TAFE studies. Other criteria such as a portfolio, interview or audition may also be taken into account for certain degrees in conjunction with the UAI score (or equivalent).          

Undergraduate course

See Bachelor degree

V 

W 

Wollongong College Australia

UOW’s private, pre-university college. You can guarantee admission to UOW by successfully completing a preparation course through Wollongong College Australia (WCA). WCA offers Commonwealth supported places in many of its programs.

X 

Y 

Z