Glossary of terms for UOW students

Glossary of university terms

Definitions

Academic Consideration (AC)

The system by which you can apply for extensions on assessments due to extenuating circumstances. For a successful application, you need documentation to support the claim. You must apply for AC before you complete the assessment or exam.

Adjustment factors

Points added to your ATAR that may raise your selection rank for admission to courses.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria to enter a degree at university.

Autumn session

The first session of the year typically starting in late February.

Assumed knowledge

These are the HSC subjects considered highly desirable to be successful in the degree. You don’t need to study these subjects to be offered a place, but you will be disadvantaged if you have not. UOW offers several short bridging courses to help you gain an introductory knowledge of these disciplines before your degree begins.

ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank)

A rank that indicates your position among your Year 12 peers, ranging from 0 to 99.95. It is a rank, not a score out of 100. For example, an ATAR of 80 does not mean you achieved 80 out of 100, it means you are in the top 20% of your year group.

Bridging courses

Courses that enable you to achieve a basic level of assumed knowledge for a university course.

Bachelor's degree

A university award requiring three to four years of full-time or equivalent part-time study. A bachelor's degree is recognised worldwide for successfully completing an undergraduate course.

Census date

The last day to withdraw from a subject/s without paying for them. There is one census date per session.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

A government funded place under which the government pays part of your fees, and you pay the remaining student contribution.

Core unit

A core unit is a compulsory subject that you'll need to do and pass to progress through your degree.

Credit points

The points system used to measure the study load of a subject. You need to successfully complete a certain number of credit points to graduate. For a typical three-year degree, this is usually 144.

Deferment/deferring

The option to delay the start of your uni course for up to 12 months.

Diploma

A qualification usually requiring one year of full-time or equivalent part-time undergraduate study. Diplomas focus on developing your practical skills and foundational knowledge.

Double degree

Studying two complementary bachelor's degrees concurrently.

Double major

Studying two majors or specialisations within a degree.

Faculty

A university division focused on a specific area of study. UOW has three faculties: Faculty of the Arts, Society and Business; Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences; Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health.

HECS-HELP

A loan for eligible students studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place to help pay for their studies.

Honours

Additional research and coursework at an advanced level.

Internship

Working in a professional environment to extend your knowledge and practical skills.

Lab

A class where practical work is done. This could be an experiment in a laboratory or work in a studio.

Lecture

A presentation that conveys critical information on a particular subject area.

Lecturers

Experts who convey information to groups of students. Most lecturers are also tutors.

Major

A sequence of units that develops depth of expertise in a field of study.

Moodle (eLearning)

The platform you use to access resources and content for subjects.

Pathway courses

Non-degree courses offered by institutions to applicants who don’t meet the entry requirements for their degree or who need further support and preparation before studying at the degree level.

Reasonable adjustments (RA)

The mechanism that sees students with medical, physical or mental conditions that may hinder their ability to complete assessments. These can see recipients get extensions on exams without documentation. You must make an application to receive RA.

Recommended studies

HSC subjects that UOW believes will help you when you start your chosen degree. They aren’t essential but may help you excel.

Scholarships

Awards offering financial, academic and career support. Some scholarships are offered for academic achievement, while others are designed to make university possible for students who face financial hardship.

Selection rank (SR)

Your selection rank is your ATAR (or equivalent) plus any adjustment factors for which you are eligible. Adjustment factors may be awarded for subject performance, your high school, or equity factors.

Student Online Services (SOLS)

The online platform used to manage your enrolment and details. You can complete tasks such as enrolling in subjects, checking results, and accessing Moodle through SOLS.

Spring session

The second session of the year, typically starting in July.

Student contribution

The amount CSP students are required to contribute towards fees.

Summer session

The session that runs from November till late February. This session is not required to finish your full-time degree progression. You can take up to two subjects if they are offered if you wish to complete your degree earlier or make your study loads during Autumn and Spring lighter.

Tutor

A university instructor who leads your class in that subject area.

Tutorial or 'tute'

A practical class that is usually less formal than a lecture and smaller in size.

UAC

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) which processes applications for admission to most undergraduate courses at university, calculates and provides the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) to NSW HSC students.

Undergraduate degree

Often called a bachelor's degree, this is the first qualification you complete at university.

Weighted Average Mark (WAM)

The number that determines your average mark across the subjects you have completed. This can be used as selection criteria for scholarships, programs, and subjects.