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Glossary of Terms
Below is a list of more commonly used terms and their meaning and links to more detailed information on terminology.
Associate Degree
An undergraduate award usually requiring two years full-time or the equivalent part-time.
Assumed Knowledge
Knowledge that is assumed students have in order to successfully begin a course, although not a requirement for entry. Bridging courses may be recommended for students who do not have the level of assumed knowledge.
Bachelor Degree
The title of the first tertiary qualification undertaken at university.
Census date
A date within each study period specified within the academic calendar, on which a student’s enrolment in a unit of study is deemed final for that study period. The student’s official enrolment status at the census date determines issues such as financial liability and use of Student Learning Entitlement.
Certificate
An award usually requiring six months full-time or equivalent part-time study.
Co-requisite
A requirement that must be met by enrolling in an associated unit in order to be able to enrol in the stipulated unit.
Core Units
Core units are central to a course and provide students with an essential understanding of the discipline. Core units may be majors, minors or single units of study.
Course
Study leading to an accredited higher education award of the University.
Credit Point
Numerical values attached to each unit (subject) or component of a course. At ACU National, one unit is normally 10 credit points.
Cross-institutional
Relates to a student undertaking study at one institution as part of the course of study for an award of another institution, where both institutions formally recognise the study for purposes of credit.
Diploma
An award usually requiring two years full-time or equivalent part-time study.
Discipline
A distinct area of study.
Elective Units
Non-compulsory units selected by a student according to interest. Some courses allow electives to be selected from other courses within the University.
Faculty
A large academic department comprising a number of university schools. ACU National has three faculties – Arts and Sciences, Education and Health Sciences.
Full-time Students
Students who are enrolled in three or more units (subjects) per semester (approximately 30 credit points).
Graduate Entry
An undergraduate course for which prior completion of another undergraduate degree is the normal entry requirement.
Higher Degree by Research
A course in which the thesis component constitutes no less than two-thirds of the degree requirements.
Honours
An additional year of full time study attached to a Bachelor degree where students can build on their area of knowledge.
Major
A sequence of units (usually 8) in a particular discipline. Most courses allow a choice but there are some that are core units, and are therefore compulsory.
Minor
A sequence of units (usually 4) in a particular discipline.
Part-time Students
Students who are enrolled in a maximum of 20 credit points of study.
Postgraduate Student
A student studying for a university qualification, which follows on from an undergraduate degree.
Prerequisites
Year 12 subjects which must have been successfully completed in order to be eligible for entry to the course. Applicants who have not completed prerequisite requirements may have alternative options available.
QTAC
Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre
Recommended Study
Subjects recommended in order to successfully undertake a course, but which are not requirements for entry.
School
An academic department through which courses in specific disciplines are taught and research is conducted.
Semester
The normal academic year is divided into two semesters. Semester one begins in February, and semester two begins in July.
UAC
Universities Admission Centre (NSW and ACT)
Unit Prerequisites
A requirement that must be met by a student before enrolment in the stipulated unit.
Undergraduate Student
A student studying for their first university qualification, for example a Bachelor Degree.
Unit
A particular subject area within a course, which has a specified number of credit points.
VTAC
More Information
Some other useful links for the meaning Acronyms (like EFTSL) or terms like "Commonwealth assisted student" are
Useful Links
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