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Glossary of University Terms

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Other glossaries

A

Academic dress

The components of dress all graduates are required to wear at a graduation ceremony. The academic dress of the University of South Australia is:

Doctor of Philosophy: Oxford style black gown with red facing on the front of the gown and around the sleeve cuffs. Black Oxford style hood, fully lined with red, and edged with gold. Black Tudor velvet bonnet with black tassel.

Professional Doctorates: Oxford style black gown faced with discipline colour (as per undergraduate degree) on front of gown and around sleeve cuffs. Black Oxford style hoods, lined with discipline colour, and edged with gold. Black Tudor velvet bonnet with black tassel.

Masters: Oxford style black gown. Black Oxford style hood, fully lined with blue, and edged with gold. Black mortarboard with black tassel.

Graduate Diplomas: Cambridge style black gown. Red stole with gold edging and two stripes.

Graduate Certificates: Cambridge style black gown. Blue stole with gold edging and one stripe.

Undergraduate Degrees: Cambridge style black gown. Black mortarboard with black tassel. Black Oxford style hood, fully lined, with discipline colour (see table below).

Undergraduate Diplomas: Cambridge style black gown. Gold stole with blue edging.

Discipline Colour
Natural & Physical Sciences Fuchsia
Information Technology Beige
Engineering and related technologies Emerald Green
Architecture and Building Silver
Agricultural, Environmental and related studies Orange
Health Sciences Red
Education Violet
Management and Commerce Burgundy
Society and Culture Yellow
Creative Arts Light Blue

Academic integrity

The University aims to foster and preserve the scholarly values of curiosity, experimentation, critical appraisal and integrity, and to foster these values in its students. Throughout their learning experience, students are encouraged to work collaboratively. However it is important that students understand the difference between collaboration and collusion. Students are expected to adhere to high standards of academic integrity and honesty at all times. Failure to do so may constitute academic misconduct.

For more information see the UniSA Academic Integrity website.

Academic misconduct

For UniSA purposes, academic misconduct includes the actions listed below:

  1. plagiarism
  2. breaches of the examination procedures
  3. presentation of data with respect to laboratory work, clinical placements, practicums, field trips or other work, that has been copied, falsified or in any other way obtained improperly
  4. inclusion of material in individual work that has involved significant assistance from another person, where such assistance is not expressly permitted in the course information booklet
  5. providing assistance to a student in the presentation of individual work, where such assistance is not expressly permitted in the course information booklet
  6. falsification or misrepresentation of academic records, and
  7. any other actions that contravene the principles of academic integrity.

For more information see Section 9 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual

Academic plan

An academic plan is the area of specialisation within an academic program (eg Applied Geology within the Bachelor of Applied Science, or International Business within a Bachelor of Business).

Academic policies

Academic policies provide a statement of the University's position on academic and student issues, and the procedures to be followed when acting on these policies.

Academic review

At the end of each academic review period, the academic progress of each student is assessed using specific criteria to identify students who are making unsatisfactory progress. This is called 'academic review'.

Students are identified as 'making unsatisfactory progress' if they:

  1. fail a course for the second time; or
  2. fail courses in an academic review period, resulting in a grade point average for that period of less than 2.80; or
  3. fail a practicum, field, or clinical placement, where that failure constitutes failure in the course.

For more information see Section 10 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual

Academic review period

The academic review period is the group of study periods used to formally assess a student's academic progress. Usually this will occur at mid-year for study periods 1, 2 and 3 (and 6 / 7 where applicable) and at the end of the year for study periods 4 and 5 (and 6 / 7 where applicable), depending on the dates that final results are available. Divisions may approve the use of an alternate academic review period where applicable (eg for accelerated programs). 

Accrediting body

An accrediting body is a professional association which formally accredits programs within a particular discipline. In some cases it may be a statutory body which has been established for this purpose, and which has responsibility for administering the legislation that controls the registration and practice of the profession.

Articulation

Articulation is the specific design of education and training programs to facilitate and maximise opportunities for students to proceed from one level of education/training to the next.

Assessment

Assessment is a measurement of a student's knowledge and skill, both during a course and at the end of a course. Judgments are made about the extent to which a student has achieved course objectives and has demonstrated Graduate Qualities. Assessment can take a variety of forms including written assignments such as essays or reports, examinations, laboratory work, oral presentations, and practical assignments. Usually the lecturer or tutor will assess the work, but sometimes an aspect of the assessment requires a student to assess their own work (self-assessment) or the work of others (peer assessment).

Associate degree

A sub-degree award conferred following the satisfactory completion of an academic program normally of at least two years full-time duration.

Audit enrolment

Audit enrolment is a type of single course enrolment and describes attendance at a course for information only, with no assessment. Audit enrolment cannot be used to gain credit towards future enrolment in an award program.

Award

An award is the qualification conferred upon a student following the successful completion of an academic program. The categories of award are: Diploma, Bachelor Degree, Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree, Doctor of Philosophy or Professional Doctorate, Higher Doctorate.

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B

Bachelor degree

A bachelor degree is an undergraduate award of three or more years of full-time or equivalent part-time study. It is the entry qualification for many professions.

Bad Financial Standing (BFS)

A student will acquire Bad Financial Standing (BFS) on their student record following non-payment of a University fee or charge in full by the due date. The impact of BFS can vary but will usually mean that results are withheld and that students are not permitted to re-enrol, obtain an academic transcript or graduate until payment of all outstanding debts is made in full.

For more information see policy A-47 Student fees and loans or contact Student Finance.

Bilingual print dictionary

A dictionary that translates words or phrases from one language to another without providing a definition of the word in either language. A bilingual dictionary can be either 'mono-directional', meaning it translates only from language A to language B, or 'bi-directional', meaning it translates to and from both languages.

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C

Campus

The University is located on five sites called campuses. These are: City West, City East, Mawson Lakes, Magill, and Whyalla.

Case study

A case study is an applied form of study involving an intensive, detailed description and analysis of a single project or program in the context of its environment. Case studies are common in the Business and Management disciplines.

Census date

The census date is the key date within each Study Period by which a student's enrolment must be finalised and applicable fees and charges are incurred. It is the last day on which a student can withdraw from a course and have it deleted from their academic record.

Domestic students who withdraw on or before the census date do not incur tuition fees or student contribution amounts for that course. International and transnational students may incur fees for withdrawals as stated in their letter of offer. The full cost of tuition fees and student contribution amounts is charged for all withdrawals made after the census date.

Chancellor's Letters of Commendation

The Chancellor's Letters of Commendation is awarded annually to students whose academic performance in a year of study in an undergraduate degree program has been outstanding. Receipt of a Chancellor's Letter of Commendation will be recorded on the student's academic transcript.

For more information see policy A-50: Coursework Scholarships and Prizes.

Clinical placement

Clinical placements provide students with direct education and valuable exposure to professional practice in both metropolitan and rural settings. They are a core element of many of the programs offered by the Division of Health Sciences.

Cognate

A cognate is a group of courses which are related in content. A student may be required to undertake a cognate to complete their program. See also 'Minor'.

Commencing student

A commencing student is a student who has been enrolled in a university for less than a certain period, usually one year.

Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF)

Students who are enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place, or who are requesting assistance under the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP), must complete a Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF). Students must submit the required documentation on or prior to the census date of the Study Period they wish the support or assistance to commence from.

For more information see policy A-47 Student fees and loans or contact Student Finance.

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

A Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) is issued to students who are Commonwealth supported and to students who have sought HELP assistance. It advises students of their current Student Learning Entitlement and any scholarship or HELP assistance which has been consumed.

For more information see policy A-47 Student fees and loans.

Commonwealth assisted student

Commonwealth assisted students are those who receive a Commonwealth loan via the HELP program or a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship (CLS). Students must be Australian Citizens, or holders of a permanent humanitarian visa to be eligible for Commonwealth assistance. Holders of non-humanitarian permanent visas and New Zealand citizens are not eligible for Commonwealth assistance but may be eligible as domestic students for a Commonwealth Supported Place.

For more information see policy A-47 Student fees and loans or contact Student Finance.

Commonwealth contribution

Commonwealth contributions are contributions that the Commonwealth makes towards the cost of a student's education through the Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS).

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)

All students who take up a Commonwealth Supported Place are issued with a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) to track their access to learning entitlements and loans. The CHESSN will remain linked to the student for the duration of their academic study and afterwards to manage the student's:

Students can use their CHESSN to access information on their use of Commonwealth assistance by visiting Going to Uni.

Commonwealth Scholarships (CS)

Commonwealth Scholarships are available to Commonwealth assisted students. They are designed to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly Indigenous students and those from rural and regional areas, with the costs associated with higher education.

The Commonwealth Scholarships program consists of two types of scholarships:

A student of the University of South Australia may be awarded a CECS and a CAS concurrently.

For more information see Scholarships at UniSA or the Higher Education Support Act 2003 Guidelines

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

A Commonwealth Supported Place is a higher education place for which the Commonwealth makes a financial contribution. All domestic undergraduate places at UniSA are Commonwealth supported. Postgraduate coursework places may be offered on a full fee-paying basis or as Commonwealth Supported Places.

Commonwealth supported student

A Commonwealth supported student is a student enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place. These students do not pay tuition fees, but instead are charged a student contribution amount towards the cost of their program.

Community service

Community service refers to non-academic activities that impose some restriction on a student's capacity to participate in, or complete an assessment requirement (eg elite athletes, jury duty and Defence forces leave).

For more information see Section 3 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Computer practical

A computer practical is a learning opportunity which takes place in a computer pool. There is usually a brief presentation by the lecturer or tutor followed by students completing set exercises. Computer practicals provide opportunities for interaction and discussion with the lecturer or tutor and fellow students.

Conceded Pass (CP)

A conceded pass allows a course to be included in the student's progression through their program, and to be used as a prerequisite for another course.

For more information see Section 8 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Conferral

Conferral is the date on which an academic qualification is granted. This date appears on the student's official parchment.

Conferred 'in absentia'

This is when a graduand is conferred at a graduation ceremony which they do not attend.

Contact time

Contact time is the number of hours per week a student spends in class (eg in tutorials, lectures, workshops and practical sessions).  See also non-contact time.

Continuing student

A continuing student is a student who has been enrolled in a university for more than a specified period of time, usually one year.

Core courses

Core courses are compulsory and must be successfully completed as part of an academic program.

Corequisite course

A corequisite course is a course which must be taken at the same time as another course in a particular study area.

Course

At UniSA, a course is the basic component of an academic program. A course is identified by a course name (eg Chemistry 101) and an 'area and catalogue number' (eg CHEM 1007). Courses are usually 4.5 units, with a unit representing a minimum of 40 hours of student work, including both contact time and non-contact time. A full-time student will usually enrol in four courses per half year of study.

Course Coordinator

The course coordinator is the academic staff member responsible for a particular course.

Course ID

A course ID is a unique six digit code assigned to each course which is used to identify the course on the University's record system.

Credit

The term 'credit' is used in two ways at the University:

Credit Transfer Register

The Credit Transfer Register provides information on formal credit transfer arrangements that have been agreed between UniSA and other higher education providers in Australia and in other countries.

CRICOS code

All courses for international students must be:

Criterion referenced assessment

Criterion referenced assessment is the assessment of student performance against pre-determined criteria related to the learning outcomes of the course. The criteria by which work is to be judged are made explicit and the grade awarded is intended to directly reflect how well the student has met the criteria. Final grading depends on each individual student's achievement, irrespective of the performance of other students in the class. 

Critical dates

Each course taught at UniSA has four critical dates attached to it:

Critical dates that fall on a public holiday or weekend will remain in effect and will not be altered to a different date. Online transactions completed on those days (withdrawals and/or payments) will take effect from the actual date on which they were made. For more information see policy A-48: Enrolment.

Cross institutional enrolment

Cross-institutional enrolment is where the student is enrolled in an academic program at one educational institution (the home institution) and is permitted by that institution to enrol in courses at another recognised educational institution (the host institution) which will be counted towards an award at the home institution.

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D

DEEWR

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Deferment

After receiving an offer for a place in an academic program, and before commencing studies, a student may apply through SATAC to defer their study for a specified period, usually one year.

Deferred assessment

Deferred assessment is a form of secondary assessment which is granted to students who have been unable to complete the final assessment/examination, to enable them to achieve a final grade in a course.

Students may apply for deferred assessment if they can demonstrate, with supporting evidence, that due to unexpected or exceptional circumstances they are unable to sit the final examination or submit the final assessment by the due date. Students must demonstrate that the unexpected or exceptional circumstances occurred in a period of time directly related to attendance at the examination, or the deadline for submission of the final assessment.

For more information see Section 7 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Degree with honours

Degrees with honours are four or more years in duration and include a minimum of one year of advanced studies for students who demonstrate a high level of achievement in the initial years of the program. Students who fail to meet the necessary grade point average for the honours stream continue with the pass degree.

Diploma

A diploma is a sub-degree award that is conferred following the satisfactory completion of an academic program of one or two years duration or part-time equivalent.

Directed study

This is a course in which a student works under the direction of an academic staff member in a subject area which is relevant to their program and in which they have a particular interest.

Disability

Disability is defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) as

It also includes a disability that presently exists, or previously existed but no longer exists, or may exist in the future, or is imputed to a person.

For more information about University policy and procedures relating to disability, see policy C-7 Students with disabilities

Distance Education

Distance education is study undertaken externally. See Mode of Study.

Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree is an award conferred following the satisfactory completion of an original research project which is comprehensive in both theory and practice, and results in a significant contribution to knowledge or understanding and/or the application of knowledge within a field of study. Leads to the award of Doctor of Philosophy.

Domestic students

Domestic students are:

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E

Electives

All undergraduate programs are required to have at least one 4.5 unit elective that is to be freely chosen by the student. Courses may be chosen from the list provided on the University website, provided that any course prerequisite is met.

Enabling (or Bridging Academic) Program

An enabling or bridging program is a program of study which meets Commonwealth guidelines, and provides bridging or supplementary education which enables a person to undertake an award program at the University or at another university.

English language print dictionary

For UniSA purposes, an English language print dictionary is a dictionary that contains words in the English language, arranged alphabetically and expressed in English. It provides information about meaning, pronunciation, etymology (origin of the word) and inflected forms. It does not include a thesaurus, which is a book of synonyms (words having the same or similar meaning as another word) and antonyms (words having an opposite meaning of another word).

Enrolment

Enrolment is the process by which persons who have been admitted to a University program formally register as new or continuing students of the University.

Entry requirements

The rules that specify the level of attainment to qualify for consideration for admission to university.

Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL)

Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL) is the measure used by DEEWR to determine a student's study load. In accordance with DEEWR requirements, the University sets a unit value for each course. At UniSA, one EFTSL is expressed as 36 units.

Examination

An examination is a form of assessment whereby a student is required to undertake a specified academic task within a specified period of time, normally between one and three hours. The location of the examination and access to external assistance are also regulated.

Exempt students

Exempt students are those who do not have to pay student contribution amounts or tuition fees for specified courses. For more information see policy A-47 Student Fees and Loans, and the Student fees and charges guidelines

Exemption

Exemption is release from specified parts of a course. It may be exemption from lectures, practicals, tutorials, projects or any other components of a course including elements of assessment. The exact requirements will be determined by the Program Director.

External mode

See Mode of Study.

External Students

External students are those studying off campus. Administrative services for external students are located at Campus Central.

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F

FEE HELP

FEE-HELP loans are provided by the Commonwealth under the Higher Education Loans Program (HELP) to eligible fee-paying students. These loans enable students who are not Commonwealth supported to defer the payment of some or all of their tuition fees. The loan is then paid back through the taxation system when a particular income threshold is reached.

Fee Paying Overseas Student

A Fee Paying Overseas Student is an overseas student who pays a fee to the University which covers the full cost of teaching, administration and other services and facilities.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is completed with an organisation or in an environment outside the University. The focus is on linking what is learnt in class with what is seen, collected and tested in the field. The specific aims of fieldwork may vary, but they usually include one or more of the following:

Fieldwork assignments are generally associated with Natural and Built Environmental Sciences and related disciplines

Formative assessment

Formative assessment helps students and staff to identify strengths, weaknesses and ways to improve and enhance learning attainment. Formative assessment is intended to improve outcomes rather than determine a final grade/mark. It may include (but is not limited to) written assignments, quizzes, reports, discussions or tests.

Foundation course/program

A foundation course or program develops the basic skills and understanding which a student will need for future study at university. Foundation courses / programs usually teach students what to expect in lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops, how to write reports and essays and how to make an oral presentation.

Full-time student

A full-time student is a student undertaking at least 75% of a full-time load in an academic program. The normal annual full-time load is 36 units. Visa regulations require international students to be enrolled in at least 75% of a full-time study load (ie at least 27 units) each year.

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G

Grade

A grade is a qualitative descriptor used to signify a range of percentage marks or the status of a result where percentage marks are not applicable. Grades indicate the level of performance in a course against specified criteria and standards. Grades are awarded in all courses. The grading system for courses at the University can be found in Section 8 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade point average is the calculation of a student's average performance over a specified period, such as a teaching period, an academic year, or over the duration of the program. The calculation is based on the grade, the grade point value associated with that grade, and the unit value of each course.

For more information see Section 8 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Graduand

A graduand is someone who has qualified for an award but who has not yet had the award conferred.

Graduate

A graduate is someone who has had an award conferred.

Graduate Certificate

A Graduate Certificate is a postgraduate award of at least six month's duration full-time or its equivalent part-time, following the successful completion of an academic program.

Graduate Entry Bachelors Degree

Graduate entry bachelors degree programs normally require a minimum of one and a half years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study following the satisfactory completion of a degree. They provide a professional level qualification for graduates.

Graduate Diploma

A Graduate Diploma is a postgraduate award of at least one year's duration full-time, or equivalent part-time, following the successful completion of an academic program.

Graduate Qualities

The University recognises that its graduates require particular qualities which enable them to participate in employment and the community. Seven graduate qualities identify a graduate of the University of South Australia. A graduate of the University of South Australia:

These qualities are developed through teaching and learning in courses and programs.

Grant

An award selected on merit, including but not limited to academic merit, to assist a student to undertake a designated component of a program, such as a student placement or international exchange, or to assist with the initial costs of commencing university study.  A grant is a one-off payment and may take the form of monetary assistance or a reduction in specified costs such as tuition fees.

 

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H

HECS - HELP

HECS-HELP is a loan that enables eligible Commonwealth supported students to defer payment of their student contributions until their income reaches a certain repayment threshold. HECS-HELP loans are indexed, but are otherwise interest-free.

HEIMS (Higher Education Information Management System)

The Higher Education Information Management System is the DEEWR student record database which tracks allocation of Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Numbers (CHESSN) and the use of Student Learning Entitlements (SLE). The HEIMS database interfaces with each university's own student administration system. Individual student information can be accessed through the Going to Uni website.

Higher Doctorate

A higher doctorate is the award of Doctor of Letters or Doctor of Science. It is based on substantiated publications and/or the achievements of the candidate being recognised as a distinguished contribution to a field, resulting in an authoritative international standing.

Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans designed to assist with the payment of tuition fees for  Australian citizens and holders of permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of:

Higher Education Provider (HEP)

All public and private higher education institutions approved under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 are known as Higher Education Providers (HEPs).

Higher Education Selection Subject (HESS)

This is a Stage 2 SACE subject approved by the University as appropriate preparation for a University academic program.

Honorary Degree

The award of Doctor of the University is made in recognition of:

Honours Degree

An honours degree is a separate, stand-alone one-year program of advanced studies for students who demonstrate a high level of achievement on completion of their pass degree program.

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I

Industrial placement

An industrial placement is a work placement which is completed in an organisation outside the University. The focus is on applying what has been learnt in an industrial setting. Industrial placements are usually associated with Engineering and related disciplines.

Industry Association

An industry association is the professional body representing a discipline which is not formally recognised as a profession. Professional practice standards and codes of conduct may be endorsed and promoted, but the association has no statutory authority.

Internal accreditation

Internal accreditation is a term used by the University to indicate that a program has undergone an internal review and has approval to continue.

International Student

An international student is a student who is on a temporary residency permit, or has status other than as an Australian citizen.

Invigilator

An invigilator is a staff member or approved nominee who is responsible for supervising examinations.

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L

Learning and Teaching Unit

The Learning and Teaching Unit (LTU) is a service area within the University which provides resources and services designed to help all students to achieve their best in their studies. Professional advice and specially prepared resources are available in the following areas:

LTU staff run workshops, see students face-to-face, and put resources onto the University website.

Leave of absence

Leave of absence is a period of time during which a student is permitted to suspend their enrolment in an academic program.

Lecture

A lecture is a formal presentation by an academic staff member, usually to a large number of students. Lectures may include the use of handouts and audio-visual presentations. Opportunities for asking questions or discussing the material being presented are usually limited. 

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M

Major

A Major is a stream of courses comprising 36 units (usually eight courses) which are related to each other in content and are usually studied in sequence.

Mark

A mark is a quantitative value, often expressed as a percentage, awarded for an assessment. For more information see Section 8 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual

Masters degree

A Masters degree is a research postgraduate program of two years full-time duration (or part-time equivalent), or a coursework degree of one to two years full-time duration (or part-time equivalent) leading to the award of Master of (Discipline).

Medical Certificate

For UniSA purposes, a medical certificate is a signed statement from a qualified registered medical or dental practitioner which explains the nature of the condition from which the student is, or was, suffering and the period during which the condition has, or will, affect the student. Medical certificates are legal documents and must contain the medical practitioner's stamp. Certificates must be dated on the day on which they were written. Where a medical certificate certifies a period of illness which is prior to the date of the medical consultation, the medical certificate should include supplementary remarks to explain any discrepancy.

Minor

A Minor is a stream of courses related in content and comprising up to 18 units (usually four courses). A Minor may also be referred to as a 'Cognate'.

Mixed mode

See Mode of study.

Mode of study

'Mode of study' describes how and where a course or academic program is delivered. There are three modes of study:

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N

Nested program

A suite of postgraduate programs, normally graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters (but may extend to professional doctorate) where each lower award is a complete sub-set of the next award. Depending on the entry requirements, students may enter or exit the suite of awards at any level. For example, a student may progress upwards from the Graduate certificate, or may enter at the Masters level but exit with either a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.

Non-award enrolment

Non-award enrolment is a type of single course enrolment and describes enrolment in one or more University of South Australia courses, where completion of the course does not count toward a program. Non-award students incur tuition fees and are not eligible for Commonwealth support

Non-contact time

Non-contact time refers to the time that students are expected to give to study outside of lectures, tutorials and seminars. For example, library research, preparation for tutorials, reading and reviewing lecture notes.

Normative assessment

Normative assessment is a form of assessment where grades are awarded on the basis of a predetermined distribution. Each student's grade is determined in part by how well other students do in the same assessment task/course. The most common form of normative assessment assumes that grades/marks are distributed according to a standard distribution curve.

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O

Offshore

Offshore refers to UniSA activity outside Australia. Programs and courses which are offered offshore are not available to students studying in Australia.

Ongoing Assessment

Ongoing assessment is where assessment for the course continues in a subsequent study period or academic year. This is only applicable in research degrees.

Optional courses

Optional courses are courses chosen from a limited range within a particular study area. These are usually listed in the program schedule which can be found on the program home page via the University website.

Oral presentation

An oral presentation involves a student presenting information to an audience (usually other students and /or academic staff) in verbal format with the support of audio-visual aids such as PowerPoint slides. An oral presentation may be a component of the assessment for a course.

Orientation

Orientation is a program of activities run at the beginning of the academic year which is designed to provide students who are new to the University with the information and support they need to become familiar with and confident about University life. The program may include online resources, workshops and a range of other activities.

OS-HELP (Overseas-HELP)

OS-HELP loans are available to eligible Commonwealth supported students who are normally based in Australia to enable them to undertake some of their study overseas as study abroad students. OS-HELP loans may be used to cover expenses associated with the overseas study, such as airfares, accommodation and other travel or settling expenses. For more information see policy A-47: Student Fees and Loans

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P

Parchment

A parchment is the official certificate which a student receives when an award is conferred.

Part-time student

A part-time student is a student undertaking less than the load specified for full-time status.

Peer assessment

Peer assessment is where students are given the opportunity to develop skills in making judgements on the quality of each other's work. The peer assessment will usually form a part of the final assessment for the course.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a specific and serious form of academic misconduct, and includes:

  1. direct copying of the work of other persons, from one or more sources, without clearly indicating the origin. This includes both paper-based and electronic sources of material from websites, books, articles, theses, working papers, seminar and conference papers, internal reports, lecture notes or tapes, and visual materials such as photographs, drawings and designs
  2. using very close paraphrasing of sentences or whole passages without due acknowledgment in the form of referencing to the original work
  3. submitting another student's work in whole or in part, where such assistance is not expressly permitted in the course information booklet
  4. use of another person's ideas, work or research data without acknowledgment
  5. submitting work that has been written by someone else on the student's behalf
  6. copying computer files, algorithms or computer code without clearly indicating their origin
  7. submitting work that has been derived, in whole or in part, from another student's work by a process of mechanical transformation (eg changing variable names in computer programs)
  8. in any way appropriating or imitating another's ideas and manner of expressing them where such assistance is not expressly permitted in the course information booklet

For more information see Section 9 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS)

The Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme was introduced by the Commonwealth Government in 2002 to provide income contingent interest free loans to fee-paying postgraduate coursework students, to be repaid through the taxation system when a particular income threshold is reached. PELS has been absorbed into the Higher Education Loans Program (HELP) and PELS loans are now part of a suite of loans known as FEE-HELP.

Postgraduate program

A postgraduate program is an advanced level academic program which is normally available only to a person who holds a bachelor degree or diploma.

Post nominal

A post nominal is the formal abbreviation of an award title.  For example Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) is BA(CommStud).

Practical

A practical is a learning opportunity which involves a brief presentation by the lecturer or tutor followed by students participating in various exercises or experiments. Practicals provide opportunities for interaction and discussion with the lecturer or tutor and fellow students.

Practicum

A practicum is a learning opportunity in which the student spends a defined period of time in a professional setting outside the University which is relevant to their main area of study. The student may be expected to actively participate in the professional setting or may merely act as an observer. At the end of the practicum, a report may be written on the student's performance by a supervisor / observer, or the student may be required to prepare a report based on their observations.

Preclusion

Preclusion from an academic program means that enrolment is cancelled and re-admission to the academic program, or to an academic program at the same level in the same discipline, will normally not be considered for two years.

Re-admission to the academic program after preclusion will be through the normal admissions procedures.

For more information see Section 10 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Prerequisite course

A prerequisite is a course or group of courses which must be successfully completed prior to undertaking a more advanced course. Prerequisites are listed on course home pages. See also corequisite course.

Prize

A prize may be established to acknowledge outstanding academic achievement in a course, group of courses or program.  Selection will be based on academic merit but may be restricted to certain groups of students in accordance with the University's equity objectives.  A prize may take the form of a monetary reward, equipment, book voucher, or subscription to professional organisations.

Profession

A profession is a group of individuals within a given discipline who are formally and publicly recognised as possessing specialised knowledge and skills derived from education and training at a high level, and who apply this knowledge and skills in the interest of others. It is inherent in the definition of a profession that a code of ethics governs the activities of the profession.

Professional accreditation

A formal process of assessment and review by a relevant accrediting body leading to formal recognition that a program meets the standards required to ensure that graduates possess the competencies necessary to begin professional practice.

Professional accreditation may include the requirement for graduates to gain formal registration with the relevant statutory body before they can begin professional practice.

Professional association

A professional association is a regulatory body whose functions include monitoring and maintaining professional practice standards and codes of conduct for the profession. Depending on the profession, the association may also determine the requirements necessary for professional registration, approve courses for education and training, and investigate professional misconduct.

Professional Doctorate

A professional doctorate is a postgraduate award of three years of full-time study or part-time equivalent which consists of a combination of advanced coursework and practice and a program of research, leading to the degree of Doctor of (Discipline).

Professional Major

See Major.

Professional recognition

Professional recognition is recognition by a professional association that a program meets industry standards and requirements. Recognition is on the basis of graduate qualification, and does not involve a formal accreditation process or a detailed review of the curriculum and other elements of the program. Graduates are eligible for membership of the professional association, but are not required to gain formal registration to begin professional practice.

Professional registration

Graduates of a program are required to gain formal registration with the relevant statutory body before they can begin professional practice.

Program

A program is a combination of courses undertaken during university study to obtain a degree, certificate or diploma. This can include non-award programs or enabling programs. It is the primary award in which a student is enrolled eg Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Business, or Doctor of Philosophy.

Program code

A program code is a four digit alpha code used to identify an academic program on the University's record system. The first letter represents the campus, the second letter represents the program level and the last two letters are an abbreviation of the program name.

Program Director

A Program Director is the academic staff member, or a staff member of an organisation with which the University has a formal contract, who is responsible for a particular academic program.

Program transfer

Program transfer is the process whereby a student currently enrolled in a UniSA award applies to transfer (either internally or through SATAC) to another award of the University.

Program transition

Program transition is the process whereby the University, as a result of an approved program change, determines that a transition arrangement is required to enable students who are currently enrolled in a UniSA program to be transitioned into a new program.

Progressive assessment

Progressive assessments are assessments that occur during the study period and prior to a final summative assessment.

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R

Reader

A reader is a collection of required readings such as articles or extracts from books and other sources which have been compiled by the lecturer for student use during a course.

Recognition of prior learning

It is the policy of the University to recognise prior learning by granting credit towards the requirements of University award programs.  

The prior learning may be from:

Registered Medical Practitioner

A medical practitioner is defined under the Medical Practice Act 2004 (SA) as a person who is registered on the general register, or on both the general register and the specialist register, and is therefore authorised to provide medical treatment. For students studying transnationally, the equivalent legislation or registration system will apply.

Re-marking

Re-marking is where an assessment task is marked again by a second assessor, without any further work by the student. The second assessor is not provided with details of the student's original mark. The same range of marks which were used on the original assessment must be available for re-marking. The second mark stands, whether it is higher or lower. No further re-marking will be permitted.

For more information see Section 5 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Re-submission

Re-submission is where a student is permitted to make substantial alterations, additions or amendments to an assessment task which they have failed. The assessment is then re-submitted to the original assessor within a specified timeframe.

For more information see Section 5 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.

Result

For continuous assessment, a result is comprised of a grade and, where applicable, a percentage mark. For final assessment, a result is comprised of a grade only. The final result enables the University to certify a student's academic performance.

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S

SACE

South Australian Certificate of Education

SATAC

The South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) processes and assesses applications on behalf of TAFE SA, the three South Australian universities and Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory. SATAC also administers the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) for special entry program applicants and the International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) for international applicants.

SATAC Code

The code assigned to an academic program by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre and used by applicants on SATAC application forms.

Scholarship

An award selected on merit, including but not limited to academic merit, to assist a student to undertake or complete a program of study at the University over a nominated period of time, in accordance with the selection criteria.  A scholarship may take the form of monetary assistance or a reduction in specified costs such as tuition fees. 

Selection

The mechanisms used to choose qualified applicants for admission to university.

Self accreditation

Universities are 'self-accrediting'. This means that they have legislative authority to accredit their own programs and are responsible for their academic standards. Universities must have appropriate quality assurance processes in place, including peer assessment processes, external examination of higher degrees, and the involvement of professional bodies in the accreditation of particular programs.

Self assessment

Self assessment is a form of assessment where students are asked to assess their own work against a set of criteria. The self assessment may contribute to the overall student grade for that course.

Seminar

A seminar is a gathering of a small group of students and a lecturer or tutor, and usually runs for 1-3 hours. A seminar usually includes a presentation by the lecturer or tutor, or by a student or group of students. Students are expected to prepare for and participate actively in seminars by giving a paper, answering questions, or discussing subject matter in small groups. 

Short program

A program of study that does not lead to the conferral of an award of the University.  Such a program may consist of one or more courses.  Short programs are usually professional in nature or undertaken for a specific purpose, and will culminate in the issuing of a certificate of recognition or attainment such as a Professional Certificate.

Short programs may include:

  1. Courses that are uniquely offered as part of a short program (ie not offered as part of any award program, and not generally available for non-award enrolment)
  2. Courses that are also offered as part of an award program.  In this case, the short program is similar to a series of non-award enrolments but is packaged to provide a coherent program of study/professional development
  3. A combination of courses of type a. and b. above

A program undertaken in order to provide particular training in a defined field, and of a professional nature

Single course enrolment

Single course enrolment refers to either non-award enrolment or audit enrolment, both of which are defined in policy A-48: Enrolment.

Special consideration

Special consideration is a form of secondary assessment which is granted to enable students to improve their final grade for a course where completion of their final assessment was affected by unexpected or exceptional circumstances. It may be granted by a Course Coordinator if a student can demonstrate, with supporting evidence, that their performance in the final examination or assessment was affected by unexpected or exceptional circumstances. The circumstances should have occurred either during the examination, or during the preparation time leading to the examination or deadline for submission of the final assessment.

Special Entry applicant

A special entry applicant is a person who does not meet the entry requirements for a particular academic program and is admitted to that academic program through special entry provisions.

Specialisation

A specialisation is a component of an academic program, leading to a generic award, which involves study in a particular aspect of a broad discipline area (eg applied geology within a Bachelor of Science).

Student

An applicant to an academic program becomes a student of the University in a particular academic year once the enrolment procedures have been completed for that academic year. A person remains a student until they formally withdraw from the program or complete the requirements of the program.

Student contribution

The student contribution is the amount charged to Commonwealth supported students as a contribution towards the cost of their education. The University, in accordance with the Higher Education Support Act (HESA), determines and publishes student contribution amounts on an annual basis. 

Student Exchange agreements

Student Exchange agreements are reciprocal arrangements which enable students from UniSA and from an overseas institution to exchange places for a short period of study (usually one study period) while continuing to pay fees at their home institutions. Incoming and outgoing exchange students do not pay tuition at the institution they are visiting.

Student Identity Number (ID)

The Student Identity Number is the unique number given to each student during the enrolment process. It is used as a means of identification for all official University purposes.

Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)

The Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) is the number of years a student can access commonwealth assistance to study. This is usually seven years unless the program takes more than five years of full-time study to complete. 

Student Ombud

The role of the Student Ombud is to ensure that all students receive fair and equitable treatment within the University. It is usually best to think of the Student Ombud as a last resort who can be approached when all else has failed within the University. However in cases of unlawful discrimination and harassment, the Ombud office may be contacted directly.  For more information visit the Student Ombud website. 

Studies-in-lieu

Studies-in-lieu is when a student undertakes alternative work in place of a course which is scheduled in the program.

Studio

A studio session is a teaching period where students spend time in a studio learning environment.

Study Abroad

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

Study period

A study period is the period of time during which all aspects of a course occur.  This includes induction and orientation, reading, preparation, contact hours (or teaching period) and assessment. It does not necessarily include supplementary or deferred assessment, which is normally scheduled outside of the study period.

Study program

A study program is the sequence of courses which make up an approved academic program for a particular student or group of students.

Sub-major

A sub-major is a stream of courses which are related to each other in content and are usually studied in sequence. A sub-major is usually comprised of six courses. In some programs it may be referred to as a 'general studies sub-major'.

Summative Assessment

 Summative assessment is used to determine a final grade for a course and the extent to which the Graduate Qualities have been achieved. It may take the form of examinations, written assignments, quizzes, reports, recitals, tests or other evaluations.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment (including examination) may be used as secondary assessment to offer students an opportunity to gain a supplementary pass (SP) in a course approved for supplementary assessment. For more information see Section 7 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual

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T

Teaching period

A teaching period is the period of time within a study period during which teaching activities such as lectures, tutorials, practicals, workshops and placements are scheduled.

Terminating pass (TP)

A terminating pass does not permit a student to use the course as a prerequisite for another course.

Tertiary Admissions Subjects (TAS)

These are SACE Stage 2 subjects approved by the University as providing appropriate preparation for tertiary study.

Textbook

A text book contains material that is central to the understanding of a course. Students are normally required to purchase or have continuous access to learning resources which have been listed as texts for the course.

Transcript of academic record

A transcript is a list of courses a student has studied and the results gained, including withdrawals from courses.

Transnational program

A transnational program is one in which the students are located in a different country to the one where the institution providing the program is based. 

Transnational student

A transnational students is one who is studying a UniSA program with an offshore partner in a country outside Australia.

Tutorial

A tutorial is a learning opportunity in which students discuss the key topics, concepts and ideas of the course with their tutors. Tutorials are closely linked to assessment and often involve small group discussions and group work. All students are expected to prepare for tutorials by reading required material and preparing questions and /or answers to questions. Students are also expected to participate actively in class discussions and small group activities. Tutorials often complement the lectures given for a course and usually run for 1 -2 hours.

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U

Undergraduate program

An undergraduate program is an academic program of study leading to a qualification, such as an associate diploma, diploma or bachelor degree and including an honours degree.

Unexpected and exceptional circumstances

Unexpected and exceptional circumstances are those which were outside the control of the student and for which there was no opportunity to prepare in advance. For further information see Section 7 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual. 

Unit(s) of study

Units represent the hours of student work required for a course. One unit represents approximately 40 hours of student work, including contact and non-contact time. The normal full time load is 18 units each half year, or 36 units over a full academic year. A three-year degree requires 108 units.

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W

Withdrawal date

The withdrawal date (which is after the census date) is the last day on which a student can withdraw from a course and have it recorded as 'withdrawn' (W) on their academic record. The full cost of tuition fees and student contribution amounts is charged for all withdrawals made after the census date, including up to and after the withdrawal date. A 'W' notation does not contribute towards the calculation of a student's grade point average (GPA).

Withdrawal-fail date

The withdrawal-fail date (which is after the withdrawal date) is the last day on which a student can withdraw from a course and have it recorded as 'withdrawn-fail' (WF) on their academic record. Withdrawals made after the nominated withdrawal-fail date are recorded as fail grades on the academic record and give no indication that the student withdrew rather than failed their assessment. The full cost of tuition fees and student contribution amounts is charged for all withdrawals made after the census date, including up to and after the withdrawal-fail date. A 'WF' notation contributes a grade point of 1.5 towards the calculation of a student's grade point average (GPA).

Withdrawal from an academic program

Students who do not enrol in one or more courses for at least one calendar year and have not been granted leave of absence shall be deemed to have forfeited their place and withdrawn from their academic program.

Work Experience in Industry (WEI)

Student load does not include courses consisting wholly of WEI. The following factors apply in determining whether a course is a meets the WEI criteria:

Workshop

A workshop usually involves a short introduction in which a specific problem is identified and presented to students by the lecturer or tutor. This is followed by discussion and activities in which students work collaboratively to investigate, analyse and formulate a solution to the problem. Outcomes may be presented by groups or by individual students at the completion of the workshop.

Other glossaries

Most University policies contain a 'Definitions' section which may be useful, for an example see the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual - General Definitions.

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