Handbook help
The online handbook provides information about the courses, unit sets and units on offer at UWS.
If you are a continuing student who knows what to look for, go straight to the Handbook search pages.
UWS Handbook
The following information will help you understand and interpret the UWS Handbook pages.
Course pages
Course pages describe each course and its structure. It also gives you the information you need to search for the units and unit sets you may need to undertake.
Every course is made up of units and each unit has a specific number of credit points (cp). Most courses are made up of:
- core units that all students must complete
- units grouped into unit sets (key programs, majors, sub-majors and specialisations)
- electives (free-choice units)
At UWS units are usually but not always worth 10cp. For example, your course might require you to complete 240cp to complete the course. In this case, your course could be made up of 24 units worth 10cp each. These 24 units may consist of 8 core units (80cp) plus a key program (unit set) of 8 units (80cp) and 8 electives (80cp) – making a total of 240cp. Sometimes the core units are incorporated into the key program (total 160cp). Full time students normally study 80cp per year, so a 240cp course would take three years to complete.
|
Term |
Information |
| Study Mode: Full time/Part time |
Full time study means that you normally enrol in 40cp each teaching session. You must enrol in a minimum of 30cp each teaching session to maintain a full time status. Part time study means that you enrol in less than 30cp each teaching session. |
| Head of Program/Course Advisor | The Head of Program provides academic leadership and direction for a course and can help with academic enquiries. Course Advisors assist the Head of Program including providing academic advice to students. |
| Mode: Internal/External | Internal mode usually requires face to face attendance on campus or occasionally at an off campus location. External mode means the course is offered by distance education, either online or by correspondence. Periodical attendance on campus may be required for some courses. |
| Award | The qualification you receive after you have completed all the requirements of your course. |
|
Exit Awards |
The award you receive if you exit a course at an approved early exit point. For example, if you enrol in a Graduate Diploma, you could leave the course after completing the requirements for a Graduate Certificate. In this case, you would be awarded a Graduate Certificate as an Exit Award from a Graduate Diploma. |
| Recommended Sequence | The recommended units to enrol in for each teaching session. You are strongly urged to follow it. As not every unit is offered in every teaching session, enrolling out of sequence may extend the time it takes to complete your course. |
| Electives | Non-compulsory units that you may choose to study as part of your course. |
| Unit set | A unit set is a group of units that make up a key program, major, sub-major or specialisation in your course. |
| Key programs | A unit set that establishes the area of concentration within your undergraduate course. |
| Majors | A unit set that defines an area of focus in your undergraduate course. A major comprises 80cp. |
| Sub-majors | A unit set that defines an area of focus in your undergraduate course. A sub-major consists of 40cp. |
| Specialisations | A unit set that establishes the area of concentration within your postgraduate course. |
Unit set pages
Units are normally grouped into unit sets. Unit sets is a term applied to:
- key programs
- majors
- sub-majors
- specialisations (for postgraduate courses)
On unit set pages you will find a brief description of the unit set, the required unit list and the following information:
| Term | Information |
| Related courses | Any course that includes the unit set as a core or elective. This section also tells you if the unit set is available to students in other courses. |
| Location: campus | Unless your course requires you to study across more than one campus, you must enrol in unit sets that are offered on your home campus. |
| Mode: Internal/External |
Internal mode usually requires face to face attendance on campus or occasionally at an off campus location. External mode means the course is offered by distance education, either on-line or by correspondence. Periodical attendance on campus may be required for some courses. |
| Advisor | An advisor who can help with academic enquiries about the unit set. |
More information about enrolling in unit sets is on the unit sets page.
Unit pages
Unit pages provide a brief description about each unit, a link to the timetable for the unit and the following information:
| Term | Information |
| Credit points | Each unit is worth a specific number of credit points. Units are usually worth 10cp, but this is not always the case. |
| Coordinator | The Unit Coordinator can provide academic advice about the unit. Please note that unit outlines are available for current students on the Library website. |
| Student Contribution Band | The portion of study costs that Commonwealth Supported students must pay. For more information see the bands and amounts page. |
| Level | An indication of the level of learning required. For example, a level 1 unit is an introductory unit for a Bachelors degree (undergraduate), while a level 3 unit is an advanced undergraduate unit. In undergraduate courses students must complete 60cp at level 3 or above. |
| Equivalent units | Units deemed to be equivalent to another particular unit. If you have successfully completed one of the equivalent units listed, you will need to choose a different unit. You may be eligible for Advanced Standing for the unit you have completed. |
| Incompatible units | A unit which cannot be studied with another unit in the same course. If you have successfully completed an incompatible unit, you will need to choose another unit. An incompatible unit will not count towards your required credit points. |
| Corequisite | A unit which must be undertaken at the same time or before another unit. |
| Prerequisite | A unit that you must satisfactorily complete before you may enrol in a particular unit. |
| Special Requirements Prerequisites | Some courses have special requirements you must meet before you can enrol in a unit (e.g. a First Aid Certificate). More information is available on the special requirements page. |
| Teaching periods: Day/Evening/Weekend/External |
The teaching session, location and teaching mode for the unit. There are a number of teaching sessions during the calendar year, such as Autumn Session, Spring Session, 1H and 2H. |
| Courses | Courses which include the unit. |
| Unit sets | Unit sets which include the unit. |
More details are provided in the unit outlines which are available to current students on the Library website.
