A-Z Guide

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Academic Advising 
Academic Advising sessions offer students the opportunity to find out more about their course and receive assistance in selecting units for study or applying for Advanced Standing.

Academic Credit
See Advanced Standing

Academic Registrar
The Academic Registrar oversees the Office of the Academic Registrar, which is responsible for both the academic and student administration side of the University.

Accommodation
There is a range of on campus accommodation choices for UWS students. These range from residential halls to townhouses, cottages and units/apartments.

» Residential Colleges
» UWS Village [Parramatta]

Admission
Admission is the process of applying to study at UWS. The process includes applying to study and accepting an offer to study. After accepting an offer to study, students must complete a number of steps to enrol.

Advanced Standing 
The credit given to students for previous study or experience relevant to their course. It is awarded as credit points and on average 10 credit points is equivalent to one unit of study.

Alumni
Once you have graduated you may want to stay in touch with your classmates at UWS. The UWS Alumni association provides you with networking opportunities and a range of benefits as a graduate.

Assessment
Any process designed to test a student’s learning, including assignment and essays, in class tests and exams.

Associate Dean
A senior academic staff member in a College who has overall responsibility for coordination of the courses and units run by that College.

ATAR
See Australian Tertiary Admission Rank

ATO
Australian Tax Office.

At Risk
An outcome for a student who shows early indication of unsatisfactory academic performance.

Auditing a unit
Attendance in a unit informally (on a non credit basis). A student should always obtain the permission of the academic staff member responsible for the unit beforehand.

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
The ATAR replaced the UAI in June 2009. The ATAR is the ranking that indicates a student's performance in the HSC. It is used to assess a student's eligibility for study at universities and other tertiary institutions. More information about the ATAR can be found at the Universities Admission Index (UAC) website.

Award
The qualification granted to a student after they have completed all the requirements of their course.

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Bookshops
See ConnectBooks

BOTPLS
On 1 January 2005 the Bridging for Overseas-Trained Professionals Loan Scheme (BOTPLS) was replaced by the FEE-HELP. FEE-HELP provides a loan to overseas trained professionals who are undertaking a bridging course to enable them to meet the requirements for entry to their profession in Australia.

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Campuses 
The University of Western Sydney is a multi-campus university. That means that different courses and classes take place in different locations. UWS has six teaching campuses. A map of each campus is available online.

Campus Connection
Campus Connection is an online interactive website for all UWS students. It allows students to connect, exchange information and discuss a wide range of issues. You can access Campus Connection by using your MyUWS login details.

Candidate
A person (student) admitted to a course and enrolled at the University until such time as that person has completed, is withdrawn from, been excluded from, or is determined to have abandoned the course in which they are enrolled.

Careers
See Careers and Cooperative Education

Careers and Cooperative Education 
Careers and Cooperative Education offers programs and services that connect students and recent graduates with employers. These services include workshops, careers markets and more.

CAS
See Commonwealth Learning Scholarships

CECS
See Commonwealth Learning Scholarships

Census date
The date by which tuition fees and student contributions must be paid. Eligible students can opt to defer payment of fees via a HELP loan, but applications for deferment of tuition fees or student contributions must be made on or before the census date.

Chaplaincy 
There is a multifaith chaplaincy at UWS, which offers support to all students. They also encourage work for social justice and connecting with the university community and community at large. There are also multifaith prayer and meditation rooms available for students' use.

CHESSN
See Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number

Childcare
The University has childcare centres that have places for the children of staff and students. UWS childcare centres are located on five campuses, Bankstown, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Nirimba Precinct (Blacktown) and Penrith.

Clinic
See UniClinic

CLS
See Commonwealth Learning Scholarships

College
An academic unit responsible for teaching and research in a range of academic disciplines, and made up of several Schools.

Combined degree program
An approved program of study made up of two normally separate courses. Students enrolled in combined degree programs receive one award on completion of their course requirements. As students are specifically enrolled in the combined degree, it is not possible to graduate from either part separately.

Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (CAS)
See Commonwealth Learning Scholarships

Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (CECS)
See Commonwealth Learning Scholarships

Commonwealth Grants Scheme (CGS)
The Australian government provides a contribution towards the costs of an agreed number of University places each year via the Commonwealth Grants Scheme. These places are known as Commonwealth supported places, with students paying the remaining fee amount, known as their Student Contribution. Please refer to the DEEWR website for more information.

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)
From 2005 all Commonwealth supported students and/or students receiving HELP loan assistance must have a CHESSN. These students will be allocated a unique CHESSN, which will stay with them throughout their academic study, allowing their eligibility for Commonwealth assistance to be facilitated and monitored. Students will be advised of their CHESSN via their Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Notice (eCAN).

Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) Program
The purpose of the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) Program is to facilitate choice in higher education and to increase the participation of students from low socio-economic backgrounds in higher education. Funding of a specified number of scholarships for students enrolled at UWS is provided by DEEWR and UWS administers and selects the recipients of the UWS CLS scholarships. There are two types of CLS; Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS) and Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS).

Commonwealth Supported Place
The Australian government provides each Higher Education Provider (HEP) - UWS - with a specified number of Commonwealth Supported places. For each of these places, the Australian government provides UWS with a financial contribution towards the costs of study. Each student holding a Commonwealth Supported place must then pay the remainder of their study costs via their Student Contribution.

Commonwealth Supported Students
See Commonwealth Supported place

Compulsory unit
A unit of study that must be completed to meet the requirements of a course.

Computer labs
A number of general purpose computer labs that are available to all students on every UWS campus.

Conditional enrolment
A limitation placed on the enrolment of a student due to failure to pay fees or unsatisfactory academic performance.

Conditional offer
A Conditional Offer letter may be made when an applicant has applied for a formal course of study at UWS and has not met the academic and/or English requirement for admission.

ConnectBooks
You can find all your books for study and leisure at Connectbooks, located on all campuses.

Connect Fitness 
Situated across five UWS campuses, the Connect Fitness centres offer fully-equipped facilities including electronic cardio equipment, pin loaded machines, free weights and complete change room facilities.

Core Program
Units you are required to study in your course.

Corequisite
A unit which must be undertaken at the same time as another designated unit. A pass in the designated unit, however is not contingent upon a pass in the corequisite unit.

Counselling
Personal counselling for students who want to talk through and change areas of difficulty, conflict or crisis in their lives - free and confidential. free study and life skills workshops are also available.

Course
A program of study undertaken at the University leading to the award of a degree, diploma or certificate.

Course Advisor
An academic staff member who performs specific tasks that contribute towards the quality delivery and development of a program. A Course Advisor will provide advice and information to students as required, on matters including course progression, student leave and timetabling.

Course Coordinator
See Head of Program

Course search
You can search for any course offered at UWS through the online Handbook.

Course schedule
A schedule of units approved by a College Board of Studies providing a coherent study for an award.

Credit points
The numerical value given to a unit, indicating its contribution to the total number of units (and credit points) required to complete a course.

Credit transfer
Advanced standing given for previous studies at a recognised university (including approved study undertaken through a study abroad or exchange program), TAFE or other approved tertiary institution such as a formally approved Registered Training Organisation.

CRICOS number
Commonwealth Registrar of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

Cross institutional study
An approved arrangement in which students from one University or tertiary institution study specified units from another University or tertiary institution. Upon successful completion of those units, students receive Advanced Standing for their course.

Current
Student successfully enrolled in both course and units for the semester in question.

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Date of delivery
The date on which a notice is:

• handed to the person who is the subject of the notice
• delivered to the contact address (as indicated on the student's records) of the person who is the subject of the notice
• formally acknowledged or receipted evidencing delivery or receipt
• two days after the date of posting a notice by mail to the contact address (as indicated on the student's records) of the person who is the subject of the notice
• transmitted by email or facsimile where the student concerned has indicated in writing that they wish to receive material in facsimile form and has specified a transmission address.

Deferment
Is the choice of an applicant, after being offered a place at UWS, to delay enrolment for no longer than one (1) Academic Year.

DEEWR
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Disability
A condition due to sickness, sensory impairment or injury that curtails a person's ability to carry on normal pursuits. A disability may be partial or total, and temporary or permanent as verified by a doctor. The Disability Service assesses the student's needs and prepares an Academic Integration plan to provide required adjustments to address the effects of the disability.

Distance education
Studying a UWS course in your home country. Study is conducted by mail, email and/or the internet with course materials supplied by these methods.

Double degree program
An award where two courses are studied at the same time, and in which units from one may be recognised as electives towards the other, but in which the student is allowed to graduate with one award before the other is completed. Those UWS Law degrees that permit more than one graduation (not all do) fall within this category.

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eCAF
See Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form

eCAN
See Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Notice

eCOE
Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment

E-Learning
E-Learning@UWS is the online learning environment known as 'vUWS' (pronounced 'views'). Your course and some of your units may have a vUWS site, which may include your unit or course outline, information about your assessment tasks, study resources and announcements related to your unit or course.

EFTSL
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL) is the study load a student must be enrolled in to be classified as a full time student. Each unit of study is awarded an EFTSL value, which is a proportion of the total study load required to complete one full time year of the course. At UWS, 80 credit points (or 8 units of study) = 1 EFTSL.

Elective
A unit which may be chosen by a student, as distinct from a compulsory unit.

Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form
A form which students must fill out and submit through MySR in order to be a Commonwealth Supported student. If this form is not submitted on or before the relevant census date, students are required to pay their fees upfront.

Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Notice
Students who have applied for a HELP loan and/or hold a Commonwealth Supported place will receive a eCAN from UWS. The eCAN has information such as enrolled units (including those not Commonwealth Supported), total HELP debt amounts, total up-front payments, any discounts received and relevant census dates for payment of fees.

Electronic Statement of Account
All enrolled Commonwealth Supported and fee-paying (including FEE-HELP) students have electronic access to a Statement of Account. It lists enrolled units, total fees payable, due dates and methods of payment. The eSOA is generally available until the census date of the relevant teaching session. Statements of account are only available online through MySR.

Emergencies
In case of an emergency, all UWS campuses have a 24hour onsite security office. Security officers can help you with safety concerns and are trained in first aid.

Employer Reserved Places
Employer Reserved Places are utilised by employers and industry bodies to financially support study undertaken by employees for training purposes. Prior to 2005 these were referred to as Employer Funded Places.

English Language Proficiency
All applicants who have not completed formal studies at secondary or tertiary level in the English language must also demonstrate proficiency in English by achieving a prescribed level in an approved English examination. The approved English Language tests include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

Enrolment
The process by which students select one or more units they wish to study each teaching session. Once enrolled, students are required to pay appropriate fees and sign a declaration to abide by the By Law, regulations and rules of the University.

Equity and Diversity
Services that target staff and students from groups who have been traditionally under-represented in tertiary education and employment. These groups are Indigenous Australians, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities and women, particularly women in non-traditional areas.

Equivalent unit
A unit 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 and you may be eligible for Advanced Standing for that unit.

eSOA
See Electronic Statement of Account

Examination
A formal supervised assessment process conducted under controlled conditions and designed to test a candidate’s learning.

Exchange program
A program based on an official exchange agreement between two partner universities. Students are required to pay full fees to their home university while studying at a host university and vice versa.

Exchange student
Students can pursue a one or two session(s) fulltime study program in any UWS field of study. Students may choose any units on offer at UWS as long as they meet the entry requirements (prerequisite) for the unit. Students do not pay fees to UWS, they pay fees to their home university.

Exclusion
If a student is excluded, it means their enrolment is cancelled and they are prohibited from re-enroling. Students are excluded from study due to failure to meet progression requirements or for disciplinary reasons. The period of exclusion must be for a specified period of four to eight teaching sessions but must not exceed 24 months. An excluded student has no right of return to study at UWS, and must apply for readmission in competition with other applicants to the course in which they wish to resume study.

During a period of exclusion, a student’s enrolment will be terminated and the student will not be entitled to have access to University premises, except with the written permission of the Vice-Chancellor. A student who is excluded from the University shall not be granted academic credit for units completed at another University during the period of exclusion.

Executive Dean
Head of a College.

Exemptions with Advanced Standing
Specific units of study within a course that are acknowledged as having been attained by the applicant through prior learning or experience. These exemptions may be granted with the allocated credit points for the exempted unit.

Exemptions without Advanced Standing
Exemption may be granted without Advanced Standing where the student has already achieved the maximum amount of Advanced Standing but is able to demonstrate that they fulfil the requirements of a particular unit of study.

Exit award
An official award defined as an exit point from a coursework program. For example, if you were studying a Graduate Diploma and ended your study before completing the diploma, you could be awarded a Graduate Certificate if you had completed the requirements of that award.

Expulsion
The removal of a student from the University on a permanent basis for disciplinary reasons.

External
A study mode that does not require a student to come on to campus. These students study part-time.  External study may be ‘print-based' or ‘online'.

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Fees
As a student, you are liable for a number of fees throughout your studies. These fees may include student contribution and tuition fees.

FEE-HELP
The Fee Higher Education Loan Programme (FEE-HELP) provides financial assistance for the payment of tuition fees by eligible full fee paying students. Please refer to the Going to Uni website for more information.

Fee Notice
See Electronic Statement of Account

Final grades
Final Grades are awarded at the completion of a unit. A table explaining the different grades is available on the website.

First Aid
See Emergencies

First Year Central
First Year Central (FYC) is specifically for all new UWS students. Here you will find pathways to the information you need.

Food outlets
uwsconnect operates a number of food outlets on each campus.

Full offer
A Full Offer letter is made when an applicant has applied for a formal course of study at UWS.

This letter will state the following:
Course name
Campus
Course tuition fee
Compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) fee
Course commencement date

Full fee paying students
Full fee paying students must pay their tuition fees up front. Eligible fee paying students can choose to defer payment of tuition fees through FEE-HELP. Fee paying students do not receive a Commonwealth Supported place.

Full time student
A student who is enrolled in units that add up to 30 credit points (EFTSL 0.375) in any teaching session.

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Getting to uni
See Transport

Grade Point Average (GPA)
The GPA is used to measure the academic performance of individual students in order to acknowledge excellence. For more information and the formula used by UWS to calculate the GPA, go to the Graduation policy webpage.

Grades
Grades are the mark given for an assessment or formal examination for a unit of study. A table explaining the different grades is available on the website.

Graduand
A student who has completed the requirements of a course and is eligible to graduate, but has not yet had the award conferred.

Graduate
A student who has had their award conferred.

Graduation
Graduation is the ceremony during which your award is presented to you and you officially become a graduate.

Grandfathering
Grandfathering is a term used to describe the transitional arrangements put in place by DEEWR for pre 2005 students with HECS, PELS, BOTPLS or OLDPS loans. For more information, please visit the DEEWR website.

Grandparenting
See Grandfathering

Gym
See Connect Fitness

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Handbook
The online handbook provides information about courses, unit sets and units. You can search for specific courses and units.

Head of Program
The academic staff member who provides academic leadership and direction for a program. The Head of Program will also coordinate matters affecting delivery and quality control for unit outlines and curriculum materials, and ensure that student issues in all areas of the program are handled appropriately.

Head of Unit
Any person who holds any one of the following positions:
the Vice-Chancellor; a Deputy Vice-Chancellor or nominee; a Campus Provost; the University Secretary; a Dean or nominee; a Head of School or nominee; a Director or nominee; the Security Manager; any other position designated by the Vice-Chancellor as a Head of Unit; or a President of a student association.

HECS
The Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) is a charge that eligible domestic students are liable to pay every session towards the cost of their University tuition. This scheme was replaced by the HECS-HELP loan scheme in 2005.

HECS-HELP
The HECS - Higher Education Loan Programme (HECS-HELP) assists eligible Commonwealth Supported students to pay their Student Contribution. Students who are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan can opt to defer part or all of their Student Contribution.

HEFA
Higher Education Funding Act 1988.

HEIMS
See Higher Education Information Management System

HELP
See Higher Education Loans Programme

Help desk 
The IT service desk offers free assistance to students with technical and computer problems.

HEP
See Higher Education Provider

HESA
See Higher Education Support Act 2003

HEEP
See Higher Education Equity Programme

Higher Education Equity Programme
HEEP assists disadvantaged groups to access Higher Education. The equity groups supported via HEEP are reviewed regularly to ensure HEEP remains focused on those experiencing significant educational disadvantage. HEEP assists a range of people including Indigenous Australians, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities, people from rural and isolated areas, women in non-traditional areas of study, and people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Higher Education Information Management System
HEIMS is a web-based Information System that DEEWR introduced to accommodate changes brought about by Higher Education reform. This system can be used by students to access information relating to Higher Education Providers, courses and unit information, and personal details. Students can access HEIMS through the use of their CHESSN and a web-based private portal.

Higher Education Loans Program
The term Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) refers to a range of loans introduced by the Commonwealth government in 2005. HELP loans include HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and OS-HELP. For more information, please visit the DEEWR website.

Higher Education Provider
A HEP is a University or other Higher (Tertiary) Education institution, such as TAFE or private colleges.

Higher Education Support Act 2003
The Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) provides the guidelines for the Higher Education reforms introduced from 2005.

The Hive 
The Hive is the new student organisation at UWS, which aims to extend and improve univeristy life for all students.

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IELTS
International English Language Testing System. An internationally accredited test for students who need to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Indigenous education
Indigenous students at UWS can look forward to learning in a friendly and supportive environment.
Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education provides a range of services for staff, students and community members in accessing higher education. The centre has offices located on each campus across UWS.

Indigenous Support Fund
The ISF provides HEPs with funding to increase the participation level of Indigenous Australians in Higher Education, as they are currently under represented. For more information see the Improving Educational Participation and Outcomes for Indigenous People Fact Sheet on the DEEWR website.

ISF
See Indigenous Support Fund

iPay
iPay is the secure online payment system students use to pay their fees and charges. iPay is also used to pay for academic transcripts and Graduations.

Internal
You study your course on campus.

International student
Students who study in foreign educational institutions.

International Student Advisor
International Student Advisor (ISAs) provide support for international students on matters like student visas, enrolment and fee status, international related correspondence and referrals to other agencies.

Invoice
See Electronic Statement of Account

IT support
See Help desk

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Key program
A Key Program is a compulsory set of units that establishes the area of concentration or specialisation within the course.

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Learning guide
Supplements the unit outline and details the fundamental mutual obligations and responsibilities of the University and students, in relation to the unit. The guide makes explicit the links between each assessment activity and the unit learning outcomes; provides information about each assessment task, including due dates, instructions for submission, and details about the assessment criteria and standards; gives a clear description of what is expected in order for students to achieve particular grades in the unit and describes how content, assessment and learning activities are linked.

Leave of Absence
Approved temporary withdrawal from a course.

Library
UWS has libraries on all campuses. Services include printing, copying and binding, as well as an online catalogue.

Life Long Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)
As a tool to encourage life long learning, Commonwealth Supported students will receive a Life Long Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) to use towards updating their qualifications or re-training. The accrual of Life Long SLE is dependent on how old a person was on 1 January 2005. Once a person is eligible to accrue Life Long SLE, they receive the equivalent of 1 EFTSL of Life Long SLE in the first year, and 0.125 EFTSL of Life Long SLE each following year.

Load
See EFTSL

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Mail
Either registered; standard mail; express post mail; or UWS email account where specified by UWS policy and/or procedures.

Major
A defined sequence of units in an undergraduate degree which defines an area of focus within a course. A major comprises 80 credit points (approximately 8 units). No more than 30 credit points can be at 100 level. At least 30 credit points must be at 300 level or higher. A major may consist solely of 200 and 300 level units. Please see unit level for more information.

Maps
See Campuses

Mature Age student
See Non current school leaver

Meditation rooms
See Chaplaincy

Miscellaneous student
See Non-Award student

Multi modal
Combination of on and off campus including online and/or correspondence, with some campus attendance.

MySR
MySR is the online student records system at UWS, where students manage their enrolment – enrolling, adding, changing or dropping units (until the census date), keeping their personal and contact details up to date, checking their fees and their results.

» MySR help

MyUWSAccount
A MyUWSAccount gives you access to UWS online services and systems such as student email, MySR (your online student record) and the MyUWS Student Portal - a central information hub for students.

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Non-Award student
A person who is enrolled in one or more units, but is not enrolled in a course leading to an award.

Non current school leaver 
A student who was not completing Year 12 (or equivalent) at the time of applying to study at University.

Non standard sessions
Any session other than Autumn and Spring.

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Occupational Health and Safety 
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is the policies, procedures and activities that protect the safety, health and welfare of all people in the workplace. All UWS students and staff should be conscious of OH&S issues.

OH&S
See Occupational Health and Safety

OLDPS  
The Open Learning Deferred Payment Scheme (OLDPS) enables Australian students undertaking full time undergraduate study through Open Learning Australia (OLA) to defer payment of part of the fee charged by OLA by taking out a loan from the Commonwealth Government.

Orientation 
Week 0 (Orientation) is held twice a year; the week before Autumn and Spring sessions commence.
Orientation provides new students with the opportunity to meet other students in their course and staff teaching their course; find there way around the campus; learn about skills that will assist them with their studies; find out about services offered by UWS and ask questions in a friendly environment.

OSCAS
Online Select Course and Acceptance System.

OS-HELP
The Overseas Higher Education Loan Programme (OS-HELP) assists domestic students with travel and living expenses whilst studying overseas.

Other credentialled learning
Programs or courses undertaken within a workplace, professional organisations or other training context other than recognised universities, TAFEs and other approved tertiary institutions.

O Week
See Orientation

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Parking 
Paid parking is available on all UWS campuses. Parking can be paid for on a per day 'pay and display' basis, or by purchasing a yearly parking permit. 

Part time student
A student who is enrolled in units that add up to less than 30 credit points (EFTSL 0.375) in any teaching session.

PASS
See Peer Assisted Study Sessions

PELS
The Postgraduate Education Loan Scheme (PELS) is an interest-free loan facility available to students enrolled in fee-paying, postgraduate and non-research courses. PELS was replaced by FEE-HELP in 2005. Continuing students with existing PELS loans still have access to pre 2005 PELS eligibility requirements.

Peer Assisted Study Sessions
PASS is a student centred, collaborative learning program, run by students for students. It is based on the premise that students learn better together.

Permanent resident
The holder of an Australian permanent residency visa. These students are classified as domestic students for the purposes of assessing eligibility for university entry and Commonwealth assistance.

PlatformWeb
PlatformWeb provides access to tutorial registration, timetable information and students a personalised exam timetable.

Postgraduate course
A program of study leading to an award, where entry into the program requires students to have completed an undergraduate course or equivalent studies or experience in that field of study.

Prayer rooms
See Chaplaincy

Prerequisite
A unit which must have been satisfactorily completed, or a requirement which must have been satisfied, before a student may enrol in a particular unit.

Print Services 
Print Services offer a range of printing and binding services for students.

Printing
See Print Services

Progression
A student’s movement throughout a course from admission to graduation, satisfying minimum course requirements at each stage.

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Recognition of prior learning
General term used to describe the University’s policy of acknowledging learning in other contexts that can be applied to the knowledge, skills and understanding outcomes of study in courses.

Resignation
Complete withdrawal from a course by a student.

Results
Students receive results for all assessments and assignments. At the end of each teaching session students receive their final results, which are the cumulative result for each unit of study.

Retired
Units may be retired when a new unit is approved to replace the current unit or a College determines that it is unlikely to have a viable intake in the future.

RTS
The Research Training Scheme is a Commonwealth funded initiative that provides eligible higher degree research students with an entitlement to a HECS exemption for the duration of an accredited higher degree research course. Please refer to the DEEWR website for more information.

Rule Waiver
Students need to lodge a Rule Waiver Request form if they wish to enrol in a unit that has a unit rule they haven’t met, such as completing a prerequisite unit. Students can only enrol in the unit if their Rule Waiver Request is approved by the relevant Head of Program or Unit Coordinator.

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Scholarship 
Scholarships are available for undergraduate and postgraduate study at UWS. They provide students with funding towards the cost of their course or research.

School
An academic unit within a College which undertakes teaching and research in particular areas and the administration of particular units of study.

Security
All UWS campuses have a 24 hour security office.

Session
A session, also called a teaching session, is the period during which a unit is taught and assessed.

Special Consideration
There may be times when you experience serious misadventure, accident or extenuating circumstances beyond your control which affects your academic performance. Applying for and receiving special consideration means that those circumstances will be taken into account when your mark is calculated.

Student
A person enrolled at the UWS.

Student Centre
Student Centres are the central point for all student questions and information. Go to the Student Centre for your student ID card, forms, information brochures, and to get help. All UWS campuses, except Nirimba Precinct, have a Student Centre. You can also contact the Student Centre on 1300 668 370.

Student Contribution
A Student Contribution is the portion of study costs that Commonwealth Supported students must pay. The Australian government provides a contribution to the Higher Education Provider (HEP) for each student that holds a Commonwealth Supported place and the Student Contribution is the remaining amount owing. Students may be eligible for a HELP loan in order to access financial assistance for the payment of Student Contributions. For more information, please see the Fees webpage.

Student email account
See UWS student email account

Student Insurances
Student Insurances cover UWS students involved in approved activities for their course, including work experience and placements and internships.

Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)
A Student Learning Entitlement provides students with access to a minimum of seven years EFTSL as a Commonwealth Supported student. Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and holders of Australian permanent visas are entitled to SLE. Students can obtain additional SLE under certain conditions. For more information, please visit the DEEWR website.

Student Learning Unit
The Student Learning Unit organises and runs a variety of programs and courses to develop students' academic literacy, mathematics and study skills, and participates in many collaborative projects with Schools and Colleges to enhance the academic achievement of UWS students.

Student load
See EFTSL

Student organisation
See The Hive

Student Private Portal
The Student Private Portal gives students access to a summary of the Commonwealth assistance they have received, including their SLE usage, HELP loans received, and Commonwealth scholarship history.

Student union
See The Hive

Student Welfare Service
The Student Welfare Service can help you fill out applications, offer support at misconduct or other hearings, give financial support and advice and refer you to other services.

Study Abroad
Study Abroad enables students to study with an overseas provider when there is no formal exchange agreement.

Sub-major
A sub-major is an approved, defined sequence of 40 credit points (approximately 4 units) at any level in an undergraduate course.

Suspension
The barring of a student from attendance at the University for a specified period of time due to disciplinary reasons. A student may be suspended for a period of one to four teaching sessions, which will not exceed 12 months. At the conclusion of a period of suspension, the student has automatic right of resumption of study in their original course, or a course deemed to be equivalent by the University.

During a period of suspension, a student’s enrolment will be terminated and the student will not be entitled to have access to University premises or facilities, except with the written permission of the Vice-Chancellor. A student who is suspended from the University shall not be granted academic credit for units completed at another University during the period of suspension.

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Termination
The cancellation by the University of a student’s enrolment in a course, usually due to failure to meet administrative requirements.

Testamur
The certificate presented to a graduate at Graduation, indicating the award received.

TFN
Tax File Number.

Timetable
Your timetable tells you where and when your classes are scheduled. UWS students have to build their own timetable using the online system via PlatformWeb.

TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language

Transcript
An academic transcript is the formal written record of results achieved in all enrolled units in a course.

Transport 
You will find detailed information about the various ways to get to uni in the Transport access guides on the individual campus webpages.

Travel concession passes
Travel concession passes allow you to use public transport at the discounted student rate.

Tuition fees
Course fees paid by full fee paying students for each unit in which they are enrolled. Full tuition fee paying students do not receive an Australian government contribution towards their course costs. The Australian government sets a minimum limit on tuition fees. Tuition fees will not be less than the student contributions paid by Commonwealth supported students in the same course. Fees are charged according to the UWS approved fees schedule, and vary across awards and units. The fee schedule is revised each calendar year, and therefore fees may increase annually.

Tutorial registration
A system that allows you to enrol for tutorials and lectures. Not all courses use the online tutorial registration system.

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UAC
See Universities Admission Centre

UAI
See Universities Admission Index

Uncredentialled learning and skills recognition
Learning that has been gained from work or life experience. Such prior learning may have been gained through work based programs, self tuition, non-accredited professional development programs, TAFE or university programs.

Undergraduate course 
A program of study leading to an award that does not require students to have already completed a degree course prior to admission.

UniClinic
UniClinic is open to the public six days a week, offering a range of therapeutic health practices at reduced rates.

Unit
A unit of study, normally of one session’s duration.

Unit completion
a student completes a unit if they:
a) attend the lectures and other classes, workshops, as specified in course rules
b) satisfactorily complete the written and other work required and
c) satisfy the assessment requirements of the unit.

Unit Coordinator
The academic staff member who is responsible for academic administration matters relating to the unit and the students enrolled in that unit.

Unit level
The level applied to a unit is an indication of the level of learning required and generally corresponds to the year of study. For example, units at the 100 level are equivalent to 1st year learning expectations and requirements. Each course has specific requirements about how many units must be taken at each level.

Unit outline
Provides approved information in summary form to a prospective student about what the student would expect to learn from studying in the unit. The outline provides information about the formal status of the unit in the curriculum, including credit points, unit level, prerequisites for study, and mode of study. Unit outlines provide information about the approved assessment requirements for the unit.

Unit search
You can search for specific units of study using the Handbook.

Unit set
Unit set is the term to describe the specialisations that students can select to make up part of their formal course structure. The most common unit sets that students select are Key Programs, Majors and Sub-majors.

Unitrack
A program that allows you to make yourself more competitive for university entry. UniTrack gives you the opportunity to enrol in individual units from a wide range of degrees.

Universities Admission Centre   
For most undergraduate and postgraduate courses, application for admission to UWS must be submitted through UAC. If a course requires direct application to the University, this will be advertised on the UWS website.

Universities Admission Index 
The UAI was the old system of ranking students based on their performance in the HSC. It was used to determine eligibility for entry into universities and tertiary institutions. For more details about the change, visit the UAC website.

UWS student email account
A free email account that the University provides to all students. Students are required to check their UWS email account at least twice weekly as part of their enrolment. All communication with the University through email must be done using the UWS student email account. The account can be accessed via MyUWS.

UWS/University
The University of Western Sydney.

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Venue hire 
UWS venues are available for hire to students, staff and the wider community.

vUWS
The online learning environment (pronounced 'views').

Vice-Chancellor
The Chief Executive Officer of the University of Western Sydney.

Vice-Chancellor's Excellence awards
The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards were initiated in 2002 to showcase the endeavours and accomplishments of UWS staff and to most importantly, publicly reward, recognise and encourage their excellent performance and achievements.

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WebCT
WebCT is now known as vUWS (pronounced 'views'). The online learning environment.

Webmail
See UWS student email account

Whitlam Insitute
The Whitlam Institute operates with the University of Western Sydney. It is a dynamic public policy institute that commemorates the life and work of one of Australia’s most respected Prime Ministers, The Hon. Gough Whitlam AC QC, and bridges the historical legacy of Mr Whitlam’s years in public life and the contemporary relevance of the Institute’s work to public discourse and policy.

Withdrawal
The formal cessation of enrolment in a unit. There are different procedures and penalties for withdrawing before and after census date. For more information, see the managing your study webpage.

Working day
Where University documents refer to timelines specified in 'working days', these are taken to mean weekdays - Monday to Friday within normal business hours and excludes Public Holidays.

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