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UOW curriculum transformation FAQ

UOW Curriculum Transformation FAQs for Future Students

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has recently reviewed its course portfolio to align with student interests, industry trends, employment outcomes and to focus on our teaching strengths. This process aims to transform student learning to maximise student success.

UOW's Curriculum transformation focuses on:

  • what we teach,
  • how we teach,
  • how we assess learning and support students, and
  • how we build services for maximum educational advantage.

How UOW's Curriculum Transformation may affect your offer

  1. Subject Changes. 
    Some subjects previously offered will no longer be available in 2025. This will have minimal impact on students enrolling. 
  2. Major/Specialisation Adjustments. 
    While your course will continue, certain majors or areas of specialisation will not be offered in 2025. 
  3. Course Discontinuation. A small number of courses will not be available in 2025. If your course is affected, we’ll contact you directly with further information. 

Impacted Courses

This includes the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Single Major), Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Double Majors), Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Scholar) (Single Major), Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Scholar) (Double Major), and the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Double degree options.

The above courses will remain available in 2025, however the following major(s) will not be offered:

  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architectural Engineering and Civil Engineering (double major)
  • Architectural Engineering and Environmental Engineering (double major)

The following majors will be available in 2025:

Single Majors

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronic Engineering
  • Mining Engineering
  • Telecommunications Engineering and Internet of Things

Double Majors

  • Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering
  • Civil Engineering and Mining Engineering
  • Electrical & Electronics Engineering & Computer & Autonomous Systems Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering and Mining Engineering
  • Mining Engineering and Environmental Engineering
  • Mining Engineering and Materials Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Bachelor of Exercise Science double degree will not be on offer in 2025.

Students with offers for this double degree may be provided with an alternative offer for either the:

This includes the Bachelor of Science (EIS).

This course will remain available in 2025, however the following major(s) will not be offered:

  • Atmospheric Science
  • Biomolecular Physics
  • Physics and Mathematics

The following majors will be available in 2025:

  • Medical and Radiation Physics
  • Nuclear and Space Radiation Technology
  • Physics

This includes the Bachelor of Science Advanced (EIS) (Honours).

This course will remain available in 2025, however the the following major(s) will not be offered:

  • Atmospheric Science
  • Biomolecular Physics

The following majors will be available in 2025:

  • Medical and Radiation Physics
  • Physics

The Bachelor of Medical Radiation Physics will not be on offer in 2025.

Students with offers for this degree may be provided with an alternative offer for:

 

The Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours) will not be on offer in 2025.

Students with offers for this degree may be provided with an alternative offer for:

 

The Bachelor of Science - ASSH will not be on offer in 2025.

Students with offers for this degree may be provided with an alternative offer for:

The Bachelor of Social Science will remain available in 2025, however the following major(s) will not be offered:

  • Human Geography

The following majors will be available in 2025:

  • Criminology
  • Human Services
  • Public Health
  • Sociology
  • Environment and Society

The Bachelor of Arts will remain available in 2025, however the following major(s) will not be offered:

  • Archaeology and Ancient History
  • Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students
  • Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students
  • Japanese
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Environmental Humanities

The following majors will be available in 2025:

  • Community, Culture and Environment
  • Creative Writing
  • English Literatures
  • Geography
  • History
  • Indigenous Studies
  • International Relations
  • Legal Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Sociology
  • Theatre Studies
  • Global Communications

This includes the Bachelor of Science - SMAH, and the Bachelor of Science - SMAH Double degree options.

The Bachelor of Science - SMAH will remain available in 2025, however the following major(s) will not be offered:

  • Earth Sciences

The following majors will be available in 2025:

  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Ecology and Conservation Biology

FAQs

UOW is transforming its curriculum to enhance our reputation for exceptional learning and teaching by transforming student learning to maximise success.

At its core is the 'quality cycle,' which drives curriculum development and fosters innovative teaching practices. This holistic renewal of UOW’s curriculum focuses on:

  • Proportionate, aligned, and balanced assessment;
  • Meeting all regulatory requirements, including the Higher Education Standards Framework;
  • Leveraging evaluation and learning analytics for continuous improvement;
  • Applying leading practices systematically to subject and course design.

If this review affects your UOW offer/s, we’ll contact you via email with detailed information about your options, including alternative course/major recommendations where applicable. 

UOW will only contact students who are impacted at a major or course level. We will not contact students for whom some individual subjects will no longer be available.

A major is the main focus of study that gives you an area of specialisation within your degree. You will need to complete an approved combination of subjects, that make up at least one third of your total degree, to meet the requirements of your chosen major. 

You can view the major options available in your course in the Course Handbook.

This advice will come to you via email.

If you receive an email advising that your course or major is impacted, it will include clear instructions on the next steps. These steps will be different, depending on whether or not you have enrolled. 

  • If you have already enrolled, a member of our team will contact you early in 2025 to discuss your study/major options and help you find the best fit for your interests and goals.
  • If you have not yet enrolled, UOW will issue you an offer to an alternative course. This may include an offer to the same course without a major specified.

Yes, if changes to your course mean you will no longer be studying at UOW and you have already secured accommodation, your UOW Accommodation deposit will be refunded.  

Please contact UOW Student Residences for guidance on the steps you need to take. 

We suggest that you send us an email to let us know the course that you were offered, and how the change affects your study goals. We may be able to guide you towards an alternate course offer. 

You can also lodge a Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) application for any UOW undergraduate degree.  

Future student scholarships already awarded can be applied to any undergraduate degree at UOW, so changing your major or course will not affect your eligibility.

The only exception may occur if you switch campuses (e.g., moving from a course at the Liverpool campus to one at the Wollongong campus). If this applies to you, please contact us so we can discuss your options and provide further guidance.

No, your overall course fees will not change. While some majors and subjects may no longer be available, your course itself remains the same, so tuition costs will stay consistent. Refer to our Fees & Assistance page for more information.

Some subjects may require additional items, such as lab coats or goggles, which could have a minor financial impact depending on whether you choose to study these subjects.