Planning your Semester Program

Planning a Program of Study

Study Abroad/Exchange students enrol for one or two sessions as a Non-Award student.

University sessions (semesters) commence in Autumn or Spring (with more limited offerings in Summer).

You will be required to submit a UOW Study Plan online following receipt of your offer letter. Once the study plan has been submitted your proposed subjects will be assessed based on your academic background prior to your arrival. This will ensure that your enrolment at UOW is an approved program. Whilst every effort is made to obtain approval of selected subjects, this is not guaranteed. Students should be flexible with subject selection, and come prepared with additional subjects they can study while at UOW. Academic advice on your program of study can be obtained from faculty staff during orientation week. We strongly advise that you bring an up-to-date copy of your transcript or academic records from your home university or college, as well as subject outlines, with subject descriptions. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that the proposed program will earn the credits needed to satisfy the authorities at their home university or college.

Selecting Subjects and Obtaining Advice

Courses (called ‘subjects’ at UOW) can be chosen from the full range of degree programs offered by the University, and studies can be undertaken across disciplines.

Subjects are taught as a mix of lectures, tutorials or seminars, laboratory work where appropriate, and individual study. As a Study Abroad/Exchange student you will be assessed in the same way as Australian students.

To assist you in planning your academic program, the University of Wollongong has created some exciting NEW Study Themes.  View the full range of Study Abroad Study Themes.  

Please note:  the Study Themes are a guide only, and you may select any combination of subjects available in your study session at UOW.

List of Subjects

Subjects are listed in alphabetical order by subject area. The session each subject is offered is identified as well as the credit point value. This subject information should be used as a guide only as subjects are not offered every year. The official 2012 subject listing will be released in November 2011.  Go to the Subject Description page for more information.

Subject Level Information

• 100 level: Usually introductory level
• 200 level: Normally requires some background knowledge of the subject area
• 300 level: Advanced level undergraduate, should only be taken if student has already studied at least 4-5 subjects in the relevant study area

6cp/8cp Credit Point value of the subject

Workload 

Generally, Study Abroad  and Exchange students enrol in three or four subjects per session. To give yourself some flexibility with timetabling during enrolment, you should obtain approval in advance for five or six subjects per session. In determining your individual program, you should note that:

• subjects are offered on a credit point basis
• normal full-time course load is 48 credit points over two sessions, or 24 credit points for one session (in either Autumn or Spring session).

One credit point has an implied workload of two hours per week. Six credit points represents a minimum of 12 hours of work: this may be 3 hours of lectures, 4 hours of reading and 5 hours of personal study or essay writing. Many students will spend fewer than 15 hours a week in contact with lecturers or tutors but will be expected to prepare for these classes with reading and tutorial preparation. Australian students are required to be self-directed in their study and to submit a considerable amount of written work in assignments and seminar or tutorial papers.

Submitting Your Study Plan

PLEASE NOTE: Some faculties have restricted/closed subjects for study abroad and exchange students. Please refer to the Study Plan Guidelines and Restrictions for detailed information.

 

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR STUDY PLAN

Assessment

The assessment details for each subject are available under “Subject Information” in the online student calendar. Go to Course Handbook and select Subject Descriptions. A comprehensive syllabus outlining assessment and other expectations is provided to students in the first lecture of each subject.

The Grading System

• High Distinction (HD):     85–100%
• Distinction (D):                  75–84%
• Credit (C):                          65–74%
• Pass (P):                            50–64%
• Pass Conceded (PC):     45–49%
• Pass Restricted (PR):     45–49%
• Fail (F):                               0–44%
• Technical Fail (TF):          0

The transfer of grades to your Home University varies for each college and institution.

Transcripts

Transcripts of results for individual students are issued by the University at the end of each session, giving details of subjects taken and final grades and marks awarded. Official copies of the transcripts are sent to each student’s home institution/program provider for credit transfer.