To help you achieve your dreams regardless of the stage you’re at in life, we offer the flexibility to fit study around other demands on your time.

 

Full-time study

A full-time study load is usually four units (40 credit points) per semester, or eight units (80 credit points) per year. You’re still considered full-time if you’re enrolled in three units a semester.

Even if you start a degree as a full-time student, you can drop back to part-time at any stage.

 

Part-time study

A part-time study load is usually two units (20 credit points) per semester, or four units (40 credit points) per year. 

Students studying part-time take longer to finish their degree but may also be able to fit studying around a full-time job or raising young children.

 

Onshore

Onshore units are delivered at an ACU campus or another location within Australia. 

When you study this way, you’ll be able to connect with your fellow students and have contact with your teaching staff either face-to-face or via video conference. 

 

Off-campus

Units delivered by this method take place at another location and may include placement units and internships with community organisations or our industry partners. 
After all, sometimes your best learning happens outside of the classroom.

 

Offshore

Offshore units are delivered at an overseas location. You could complete a unit at our Rome Campus, study the Core Curriculum in Beijing, meet NGO staff in Cambodia or study anywhere in between.

We know that education doesn’t just come from books. That’s why we offer many opportunities to study overseas.  

 

Online

The online delivery method allows students to complete a unit or course fully online, including assessments. 

If you find it difficult to reach one of our campuses or need to fit a course around a full-time job or raising children, online delivery could be the right fit for you.

 

Attendance

Units or courses are taught primarily by attendance – either face-to-face or via video conference – at an ACU campus or another location. 

You’ll be able to come to campus, meet your colleagues, share ideas and enjoy engaging directly with lecturers and tutors when you study this way.

 

Multi-mode

Multi-mode units incorporate online teaching methods with a compulsory attendance requirement (such as exams). 

This delivery method gives you the support of face-to-face time with teaching staff – but offers the added flexibility of some online learning.

 

Intensive

Units are delivered in a block over consecutive weekdays and/or weekends. 

Away-from-base programs, postgraduate units that take place on weekends, and undergraduate units that run outside of the standard semesters are often scheduled in intensive mode.

 

Double degrees

This means you are studying two degrees at the same time. It will take less time to complete them together than if you complete them separately. 

Double degree programs also allow you to upskill in two distinct but related areas. For example, you could choose to study a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Global Studies or a Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts.

 

Short courses

Short courses refer to programs other than an accredited higher education award. They are a good option for updating your professional skills or getting you ready to study a full degree.

ACU offers a number of short courses, from English language courses to studies in theology, and from upskilling courses for nurses to negotiation training for business leaders. 

 

Single units

A unit is a subject within a course. Each subject, or unit, has a specified number of credit points that count towards a degree. 

International students can fast-track their degree at home by completing a unit in Australia at our July School, which runs over two weeks in the middle of the year.

Studying just one or two units is also an ideal way to get a taste for what studying at ACU is all about.

 

Explore your career and study options

Find a course

You might also like

Find a course

It’s important to find a course that’s right for you. Search our course browser to see what ACU has to offer.

Take a look

Your options

If you don’t meet the entry requirements for your dream course, enrol into an admission pathway and your future will still be within reach.

View pathways

How to apply

Ready to get started? Find out if you’re eligible for your chosen course and what you’ll need to get your application underway.

Apply now

Contact us 

Our international student support team is happy to help you with any questions about arriving, living and studying in Australia.

Talk to us

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs