Glossary of Terms
A
Academic
An academic is a broad term referring to a person who does researcher or teaches at a university (or tertiary institution). Academics have an elite level of knowledge and are likely to hold advanced qualifications.
Academic Transcript
Your academic transcript is a complete record of all your academic study undertaken at the University of Adelaide.
Academic Year
The academic year (or academic cycle) is divided into two 12-13 week semesters, each followed by an examination period. Semester 1 runs from late February to mid June, and Semester 2 from late July to early November. There is a two week mid-semester break in each semester.
Access Adelaide
Access Adelaide is a web-based information interface for students and academic teaching staff. Students use Access Adelaide to enrol online, change contact details, view personal information, view examination times, obtain official results and enter graduation details.
Adelaide Abroad Programme
Where a domestic student undertakes study outside Australia with an overseas higher education institution that counts as credit towards a course(s) that they are enrolled in with an Australian higher education provider. These students are not covered by an agreement between institutions and will typically pay fees set by the overseas institution while studying overseas.
Advanced Standing
Similar to recognition of prior study or recognition of prior learning that may lead to a student being granted admission to a program at an advanced level.
Admission
The process of applying to study at the University and having your application considered.
Agent
A person within or outside Australia who represents or acts on behalf of a provider (i.e. the University) in dealing with International Students or prospective International Students.
Aggregate
See University Aggregate.
Articulation
Articulation is the process by which the University matches its courses or requirements to coursework completed at another institution. Students use course articulation to assure that the courses they complete will not have to be repeated at the institution to which they are transferring. The University holds articulation agreements with several domestic and international institutions for the purposes of student exchange programs.
Assessment
The method by which a student's knowledge of course subject matter is tested, usually through essays, examinations, projects, presentations or reports being submitted to your tutor or an assessor for marking.
Assumed knowledge
For some units of study, a student is assumed to have passed a relevant subject at secondary school level and this is called assumed knowledge. While students are generally advised against taking a unit of study for which they do not have the assumed knowledge, they are not prevented from enrolling in the unit of study. See also Prerequisite.
Award
The particular achievement – certificate, diploma, degree, graduate certificate, or graduate diploma – conferred upon successful completion of the requirements for that specified program.
B
Bridging programs
Bridging programs are designed to prepare students for university
study or for entry into a particular course/program.
Bachelor's degree
The Bachelor's degree is an undergraduate award requiring successful completion of 72-144 units of credit (depending upon the award requirements). A Bachelor's degree gives graduates broadly applicable generic skills or specialist professional knowledge which provides initial preparation for careers or postgraduate study.
Examples of degrees include: generic degrees such as the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Engineering; a specialist degree such as the Bachelor Communication & Information Technology.
C
Calendar
A comprehensive handbook of University programs and courses, including academic program rules and all syllabuses.
Campus
The main university grounds, including laboratories, lecture theatres, administration buildings and recreational areas etc.
Census Date
The last day a student can withdraw from a course(s) without incurring liability for student contributions or tuition fees.
Class
Within each course there are classes that students enrol into. These are identified by the class number. Such classes could be lectures, tutorials or practicals etc.
Class Number
Unique identifying number for individual classes (lectures and tutorials) used when enrolling in a class at a specific day, time and location.
CoE – Confirmation of Enrolment
A formal notice issued to students (usually by email) to confirm the University's agreement for them to enrol in the academic program specified in the offer letter and is used by international students in obtaining a study visa.
Combined degree
A combined degree is an undergraduate or postgraduate academic program with one CRICOS code, and leads to the award of one University of Adelaide degree that includes components from two degree programs and satisfies the minimum requirements of one but not both individual degrees. The academic program rules for a Combined Degree specify a program of study that would not enable a student to qualify for both of the component degrees. A single parchment that names both of the component degrees linked by ‘and’ in the degree title is awarded for completion of a Combined Degree program. See also Double Degree.
Commonwealth-supported place (Domestic Students only)
The Commonwealth Government provides the University of Adelaide with a specified number of Commonwealth-supported places. For each of these student places, the University is provided with a financial contribution towards the costs of study. The University will then distribute these places to students on the basis of academic merit – this may take into consideration university entrance scores, work experience, etc. Each student holding a Commonwealth-supported place must then pay the remainder of their study costs as part of their student contribution. See also Fee-paying place.
Contact hours
Hours a student is expected to spend attending tutorials, practicals, lectures etc, at university.
Continuing Student
A student who is enrols in subsequent years of study in order to complete their degree.
Core unit
Compulsory courses which must be passed in order for the student to graduate from a program of study.
Co-requisite
A course that must be studied in the same semester as another, usually related or dependent, course.
Course
A syllabus item offered by the University. You undertake
courses to complete your program requirements. Courses are identified by
a subject area and catalogue number, for example, CHEM 1101 is a first year
Chemistry course in the Bachelor of Science program.
Course Coordinator
Member of academic staff who has administrative responsibility for a course of study.
Credit for previous
study
In some cases students may receive credit for previous tertiary study (also
referred to as advanced standing/status/exemptions) on the basis of studies
successfully completed at another institution. This is particularly the case
with studies taken at other universities, but some TAFE studies are also
accepted for credit towards university programs. See also Transfer
credits and/or Advanced Standing.
CRICOS – Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
Educational institutions must be registered with the Commonwealth Government before they are permitted to enrol international students in Australia. To become registered, institutions must demonstrate that their qualifications meet Australian Standards in terms of the curriculum, qualifications of teaching staff and teaching facilities etc. The CRICOS lists all providers registered to offer courses to people studying in Australia on student visas and the codes of courses they offer in the state where they are registered. The University of Adelaide's CRICOS provider number is 00123M.
Cross-institutional study
Where a student who is enrolled in a program of study at one university, enrols in courses or topics offered at one (or more) other institutions to count towards their degree at their home university.
D
Defer
An applicant who receives an offer of admission to a program may apply to delay enrolment for one semester or one academic cycle.
Degree
A degree is any of a wide range of university programs, including Bachelor, Honours, Masters and other awards.
Department
A department is the disciplinary unit that is responsible for teaching and
examining an area of study. It may be called a school, department, centre
or unit within the University. See also Faculty.
Diploma
Diplomas are typically of a lower academic status than an undergraduate award such as a Bachelor's degree. However, most diploma awards offered at the University of Adelaide are higher diplomas and require an undergraduate qualification as a prerequisite for admission.
Discipline
Discipline is a term used interchangeably with area of study.
Dissertation
A substantive description of the research undertaken within the program for a coursework masters degree (where the research component is less than two-thirds of the degree requirements) together with any associated
material that is also subject to examination. A dissertation is usually shorter than a thesis.
Distance Education
The mode of study for external students.
Doctor of Philosophy
See PhD.
Doctoral Degrees Governed by a Cotutelle de Thèse Agreement
Where a PhD student divides their candidature between the University of Adelaide and a partner institution in France and, following the successful completion of an agreed examination process, is awarded a degree that is recognised in both countries.
Domestic applicants include Australian citizens, dual Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand citizens studying in Australia.
Though New Zealand citizens studying in Australia are not classified as international students, under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) they cannot defer financial liability for the cost of their studies.
Double degree
A double degree is an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework academic program leading to the award of two University of Adelaide degrees. The academic program rules for a double degree specify a program of study in which the requirements of each degree are able to be satisfied in less time than is required to complete each degree separately, or in which the requirements for one or both degrees are modified so that the changed requirements of both degrees are able to be satisfied in less time than is required to complete each degree separately. A parchment is awarded for each of the two degrees completed in the Double Degree Program. See also Combined Degree.
Double-Badged PhD Degrees
A PhD student undertakes their program jointly at the University of Adelaide and another institution with which the University of Adelaide holds a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Upon successful completion of the degree the names and badges of both the University of Adelaide and the partner institution will appear on the testamur awarded.
E
Elective
An optional unit which you can do within a degree, usually within a course. Electives allow more detailed study of a particular subject.
Enrolment
The process of registering to study a course.
External Study
External programs do not require a student to physically attend classes on a regular basis. Referred to as 'distance education', students study off-campus at another location or online.
Eligibility
Program eligibility is determined by prerequisites, assumed knowledge, selection criteria, and in some cases, additional entry requirements. See also Selection Criteria.
F
Faculty
The University is sectioned into principal academic divisions in which teaching and research are conducted and are called 'faculties'. There are five academic faculties that make up the University of Adelaide.
All tuition fees provided are indicative only. Tuition costs are calculated based on the actual courses the student chooses to take to complete his or her degree. All fees are provided in Australian Dollars (AUD).
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year, the full cost of the program is displayed. Where the standard duration of the program is greater than one year, the annual fee is displayed.
A Commonwealth supported place is a place for which the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of the course. Each year the Australian Government will allocate a number of Commonwealth supported places to the University of Adelaide. The University will then distribute these places to students on the basis of academic merit. The criteria may include university entrance scores, work experience, etc.
For Postgraduate programs, the quoted fee is a base fee that is subject to an annual increase for each year of the standard duration of a program.
Tuition fees are calculated based on the degree program in which the student is enrolled.
The quoted fee is a base fee that is subject to an annual increase of 9% for each year of the standard duration of a program.
Students completing the program beyond the standard duration are subject to a new base fee. All fees are provided in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are indicative only.
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year, the full cost of the program is displayed. Where the standard duration of the program is greater than one year, the annual fee is displayed.
Fee paying place (Domestic Students only)
A domestic student who is not offered a Commonwealth-supported place may be offered a fee-paying place in a program of study. Students who are not in Commonwealth-supported places pay full tuition fees, which vary between the Faculties and are adjusted annually. Fee-paying students pay their fees twice a year, at the beginning of each semester. The University lists all of the tuition fees for each course that makes up your program on Course Planner. Fee-paying students may be eligible for other financial support, such as FEE-HELP, scholarships, loans and Centrelink benefits such as Austudy and Abstudy. Annual fees See also Commonwealth-supported place.
FEE-HELP
A Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) that is available to eligible fee-paying students to cover all or part of their tuition fees.
G
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Your GPA is the average of the grades obtained in all courses, weighted by the unit value of each course. If you are enrolled in more than one program, you will have a Program GPA for each, calculated using the final grades for the courses associated with each program.
Graduate Certificate
A graduate certificate is a program studied at postgraduate level, typically requiring completion of at least 24 units of study. Students must apply for admission to candidature and will normally hold a degree of Bachelor or equivalent qualification, or have completed another equivalent program of study or professional training.
Graduate Diploma
A graduate diploma is a program studied at postgraduate level, typically requiring completion of at least 36 units of study. Candidates must apply for admission to candidature and will normally
hold a degree of Bachelor or equivalent qualification, or have completed another equivalent program of study or professional training.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of an award, students may apply to graduate. In most cases graduation involves attendance at a graduation ceremony where students receive an official parchment containing details of their graduate status and qualification earned. After graduating you are part of the University's Alumni.
H
HECS-HELP
Higher Education Contribution Scheme-Higher Education Loan Programme (HECS-HELP) loans are available to eligible domestic undergraduate students enrolled in Commonwealth-supported places. A HECS-HELP loan will cover all or part of the student contribution amount. Note: in 2005 HECS-HELP replaced HECS.
A Higher Education Selection Subject (HESS) is a SACE Stage 2 subject designated as acceptable for university admission purposes. Subjects are designated as General or Restricted, with the following entry requirements:
HESS General: To be eligible for most University of Adelaide programs students must have at least four HESS General subjects in the pattern of five HESS subjects contributing to their TER. These subjects were formerly known as PAS and PES and use a 0-20 grading system.
HESS Restricted: A limited number of University of Adelaide programs allow students to apply with a TER made up of more than one HESS Restricted subject (formerly SAS subjects) in their pattern of five HESS subjects.
Higher Degree by Coursework
A higher degree by coursework (such as a Masters degree, Graduate Diploma or Certificate) is defined as a postgraduate program of study that mostly comprises of coursework, rather than research. A Masters by coursework may consist of a coursework program of two thirds or more, and a research component ('project' or 'dissertation'), which forms less than one third of the whole program.
Higher Degree by Research
A higher degree by research refers to any Masters or doctoral degree (PhD/Professional Doctorate) that comprises a minimum of two thirds of its assessable content by research.
Higher Doctorate
A Higher Doctorate is awarded for a body of original work which, in the opinion of the examiners, has been generally recognised by scholars in the field concerned as being a substantial and distinguished contribution to knowledge or creative achievement. This work is not the result of supervised candidature within the university, but an applicant would normally have had some association with the university, either by being a graduate or having been a member of the academic staff. Such students are not enrolled but recorded as 'Past Course Completion'.
Honours degree
Obtaining an honours award involves an additional full-time year of study (or equivalent) following completion of a Bachelor program, or additional study with a research element included in the final year (or years) of a Bachelor program.
I
Incompatible course
A course(s) that has substantially similar content to the specified course. Students should not enrol in the specified course if they have previously passed a course listed as incompatible, as they will not be able to present that course towards their award.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The preferred test for assessing English language competency to attend Australian universities, it addresses speaking, reading, writing and listening.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program is a two-year, pre-university course designed to enhance the transition of students between different education systems and to promote international understanding.
An international applicant must be eligible for an Australian student visa, may be liable for international tuition fees and applies directly to the University of Adelaide.
You are not an international student if you are an Australian citizen, Australian dual citizen, permanent resident of Australia, a New Zealand citizen studying in Australia.
An international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results must be eligible for an Australian student visa and may be liable for international tuition fees. Applications are made via SATAC for admission to the University of Adelaide using Australian year 12 studies results, instead of applying directly to the University of Adelaide.
You are not an international student if you are an Australian citizen, Australian dual citizen, permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen studying in Australia.
L
Lecture
A lecture is an oral and audio-visual presentation, usually given by a subject matter expert, intended to convey critical information, history, background, theories and equations to a group of people about a particular subject area relevant to a course of study. Lectures run from 50 minutes up to two hours in length and can contain anywhere from 2-200 people. Students are expected to listen carefully and take notes with little guidance from the lecturer in identifying what should be recorded.
Lecturer
Lecturers are instructors or presenters that deliver information to groups of students in a lecture or seminar setting. They are similar to tutors, as most lecturers also teach.
M
Major
A major is a part of an academic program consisting of a set of defined courses, from a recognised discipline area and, if appropriate, supporting courses from other discipline areas, which form a significant part of an academic program. Students select and transfer between majors according to their selection of units of study. One or more majors may be prescribed in order to satisfy course requirements. See also Award; Course; Sub-major; Stream.
Masters degree
A Masters is a postgraduate degree that may be undertaken primarily by research or primarily by coursework. A Masters by research is where at least two-thirds of the student load is required to be research. A Masters by coursework is where more than one-third of the student study load is required to be coursework.
MyUni
MyUni is a personalised online space for students. It delivers information and services directly through a central location, while also allowing users to customise certain information. Students are able to access details such as examimation seat numbers, results, timetables and enrolment variations.
N
Non-award study
A generic term for a program of study that does not lead the student to an award; available to those wishing to update or expand their knowledge in a specific discipline without being committed to completing a program or fulfilling assessment criteria.
Non-Commonwealth-supported student
O
Off-shore student
An Off-shore student is one who resides overseas for a University term/semester and undertakes a program of study conducted by an off-shore campus of an Australian higher education provider.
Orientation Week (O'Week)
University-wide orientation program for all students, involving lectures, tours and social activities and usually held in the week before semester commencement.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The minimum level of private health insurance International Students are required to purchase as a condition of their student visa for study in Australia.
P
Parchment
A parchment is the official certification of a student’s completion of a degree, diploma or certificate. It contains the signatures of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, and bears the official seal of the University.
Part-time study is when you enrol in fewer courses than a full-time study load in a given semester.
Full-time study is a minimum 75 per cent load, or 9 units or more a semester. Studying 8 units or less a semester means you are studying part-time.
Part-time study is not recommended for international students, as they are required to complete their program within the standard duration for that program (e.g. 3 years).
Some programs (such as Medicine) do not offer part-time study, or lectures and tutorials in the evenings, though many courses provide alternative options for class times.
Please speak with the program administrator about whether your program can be studied part-time and the availability of alternative class times.
PhD (or Doctor of Philosophy)
An academic award granted for advanced study and original research in a specialist field, often the highest qualification in a given discipline.
Plan (or academic plan; study plan)
Each program must have at least one defined plan. A plan defines each of the specialisations/streams which might be available in a degree/diploma, e.g. a Bachelor of Science, specialising in Ecochemistry. As a result of this specialisation, you are required to complete a number of core courses and may have some choice of non-core courses (or electives). As you move through each semester of study, the plan should indicate the units that you have completed, the courses that you are currently studying, and those you are still yet to complete for your selected majors, sub-majors or minors. Plans are also used when applying for exchange study or credit for previous study to demostrate how a specific course or unit of study fits into a prescribed plan of study.
Postgraduate
Postgraduate students have completed an undergraduate qualification such as a Bachelor's degree and are continuing their studies by completing an award such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters degree, PhD or doctorate.
Practicals ('pracs')
Some academic programs have practicals of up to three hours duration. These are 'hands on' classes where students are expected to participate as part of their assessment.
To be eligible for some programs, particularly in the areas of Science, Engineering,
Maths and Computer Science, applicants are required to have passed specific subjects
called 'program prerequisites'. For
SACE applicants, program prerequisites
are the nominated subject(s) completed at SACE Stage 2 level, with a minimum
subject achievement score of 10 out of 20. Other applicants, i.e.
higher education,
TAFE and
special entry, are required
to have successfully completed either these subjects or their equivalent.
Program prerequisites apply to all applicants to the relevant programs.
A number of programs list SACE subjects as 'assumed knowledge' in the
Undergraduate Prospectus and the SATAC
Uni Guide. These subjects indicate the academic background that it is
assumed students entering the program will have. Studying these subjects is
highly desirable but is not a requirement of admission.
Professional Doctorate
A Professional Doctorate is specific to a discipline and aimed at practitioners in the field. The program combines research project activity and advanced coursework. To qualify for the award the candidate is required to pass each component of the program individually and to complete any coursework or project requirements before submitting the thesis for examination.
Program
Program is the award you are working towards.
It is made up of courses, each of which are attributed
a unit value. To earn your award, you need to have successfully
completed a certain number of study units. The way these are put together
for your award is called your 'program'. See also Degree.
R
Remote Research Programs
Remote candidature is an option for higher degree by research students who for sound academic reasons, need to pursue most or all of their research remote from the University campuses. Approval for remote research will only be granted where arrangements for external supervision and facilities and resources are adequate. Students are normally required to study on campus until after completion of the core program components and development of a satisfactory research proposal (this includes compulsory attendance at Adelaide Graduate Centre and local induction programs).
Restriction
Some courses are available only to students in certain academic programs. For example, Dentistry courses are only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Dentistry or Bachelor of Oral Health. Note that in some cases, the restriction may only appear for a particular semester of a course offering, e.g. the course Accounting for Decision Makers I is offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2, however, only students in the Bachelor of Commerce may enrol in the Semester 1 offering of that course.
S
SACE
South Australian Certificate of Education, the secondary qualification most South Australian school-leavers will use to qualify for a place at university.
Scholarship
Scholarships are awards carrying financial advantage in undertaking a specified program or course of study. The advantage is usually in the form of a full or partial remission of fees, or meeting of costs associated with the program or course of study such as living costs, purchases of books or accommodation. Such scholarships are normally awarded on the basis of past academic performance. Scholarships also include funding received through study grants, trusts and bursaries.
School
Faculties are divided into schools, which are defined by disciplines. For example, the Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences has seven schools.
Semester
A semester is the academic teaching period of about 12-13 weeks in duration. It is made up of two terms between which there is a two week study break.
South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC)
SATAC processes applications for tertiary programs delivered by TAFE and the four Universities in South Australia and the Northern Territory. See http://www.satac.edu.au/ for more information.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Sitting the STAT is one method of special entry to tertiary study when secondary education requirements have not been met.
Stream
A specialisation within the program of study, which requires the completion of set courses and units of study as specified by the academic program rules for the particular stream, in addition to the core courses specified by the course rules. The chosen stream appears with the award name on graduation parchments, e.g. Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Construction Management).
University Contact Centre
The University Contact Centre provides a single point of contact for all academic and student administrative information and supports students' academic progression from admission through to graduation.
Student Contribution
The amount in fees that domestic Commonwealth-supported students pay towards the cost of their courses.
Student Exchange
Exchange students are those who are from other overseas universities studying at the University of Adelaide for a period to supplement studies in their home university. University of Adelaide students may also travel overseas to study at other universities as part of the Adelaide Abroad program.
Student Guide
The Student Guide contains information on admission, enrolment, examinations, student support and University programs and courses. It is the student's responsibility to read, know and understand the rules and requirements set out in the handbook that govern successful course and program completion.
Study Plan
See Plan.
Sub-major
A stream of subject related courses that make up a smaller percent of a program than a Major, but a greater percentage than a Minor stream.
Syllabus
A document that outlines and summarises subject areas to be included in the delivery of a course.
T
Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER)
The Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) is derived from the university score achieved through the SACE and is an indicator of how well a particular student has performed relative to other students in the same group.
Thesis
A document persenting a researcher's findings, which is submitted for examination to support candidature for a degree or professional qualification. See also Dissertation.
TOEFL
The Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures a candidate's ability to read, listen, speak and write in English. Additionally the Internet-based test examines how candidates use these skills in a university classroom situation. Select TOEFL scores are an entry requirement for international student admission.
Transfer Credits
Students may receive transfer credit for previous studies completed at the University of Adelaide or another tertiary institution that fulfill the requirements for a current program or course at the University.
Tuition Fees
A fee charged to cover the cost of teaching and related services, student administration and capital facilities relating to courses, paid to the institution the student is enrolled at. The fee may be paid by the student or by another person, agency or organisation on behalf of the student. Tuition fees do not include application or student services fees. See also Fees (Domestic Students) or Fees (International Students).
Tutor
A tutor is an academic staff member who supervises practicals and tutorials for small groups of students.
Tutorials
Tutorials are small discussion groups lead by a tutor. Students are usually required to attend one tutorial per week for each course. Weekly assignments are often set and may involve a presentation to the group, a written exercise or participation in group discussion. Attendance at tutorials is usually recorded, especially where tutorial participation forms part of the course assessment.
U
Undergraduate
A student studying a foundation University program, such as a Bachelor's degree. Students who go on to do Honours are classified as Graduate students, having completed an undergraduate program.
Units
Each course is given a unit value and each program requires the accumulation of a total number of units according to the degree pattern.
University Aggregate
SACE students have a University Aggregate calculated from their Stage 2 (year 12) results. It is calculated by adding the marks out of 20 of your best four subjects, and half the marks out of 20 for your fifth subject, to produce a score out of 90. The University Aggregates for all students in the state are then put in rank order, resulting in there being assigned a TER between 1 and 100. Your University Aggregate appears on your SACE results parchment.
