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Subjects are offered on a credit point system. The normal full-time course load is 48 credit points over two sessions or 24 credit points in either Autumn (March) or Spring (July) Session. All students must be enrolled in at least 18 credit points to satisfy student visa requirements. We recommend you check with your home institution the minimum number of credit points they require you to be enrolled in so your study at UOW counts towards your degree at home.
Generally, Study Abroad 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.
Subjects are taught as a mix of lectures, tutorials or seminars, laboratory work and individual study. When deciding your subjects, you should note that 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.
The credit point system
A credit point has an implied workload of two hours per week for a sessional subject. For example, a six credit point subject normally represents a minimum of twelve hours of study a week, which could be made up of two hours of lectures, one hour tutorial and four hours of study and essay-writing. Students commonly spend fewer than 20 hours a week in contact with Lecturers or Tutors. The remaining hours should be devoted to study to meet the reading and assignment requirements.
What is the assessment and grading system?
The assessment details for each subject are provided in the UOW Course Handbook and comprehensive handouts detailing subject requirements and assessment methods are given to students in the first lecture of each subject. Some subjects do not have final examinations. Others have a final examination worth between 20 - 80% of the mark. Essays of 1,500 to 3,000 words, tutorial participation and/or laboratory work usually form part of the assessment. Students should retain the subject details, reading lists and assessment details for their home Academic Advisers to assist with credit transfer.
<strong>The grading system is as follows:<strong>
- High Distinction: (HD) 85-100
- Distinction: (D) 75-84
- Credit: (C) 65 -74
- Pass: (P) 50-64
- Pass restricted: (PC) 45-49
- Pass terminating: (PT) 45-49
- Pass conceded: (PC) 45-49
How will my Credit be transferred?
The University of Wollongong at the end of each session issues transcripts of results, giving full details of subjects taken and final grades and marks awarded. Official copies of these transcripts are sent to each student's home institution for credit transfer processing. Your home institution will determine how your credit will transfer. Some institutions transfer grades, other transfer credit hours or units only.
The Academic Year
For students in the northern hemisphere thinking about studying in Australia, it is important to remember that the seasons in Australia are in reverse. That is, autumn (fall) in the USA is spring in Australia. At the University of Wollongong the academic year runs from February to November and consists of two 13-week sessions (semesters). Most subjects are offered in either Autumn or Spring session excepting "Annual subjects" which run all year, commencing in Autumn and concluding in Spring session. An optional 8-week Summer Session runs from early December, through January and into February, with a two-week recess in December. For greater detail, refer to the Academic Year Session & Key Dates.
Study Abroad students may enrol for one or two sessions as Non-Award students commencing in Autumn (March), Spring (July) or Summer session (December). Study Abroad students study with, and are assessed in the same way as, Australian students.
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