Design

Yes. A number of courses at Curtin University are available to be studied either partially or fully online.

Fully online courses

Visit the Curtin Online website for more information on Curtin's online undergraduate and postgraduate course options.

Some Curtin courses may be available to study through Open Universities Australia (OUA). If you study a Curtin course through OUA, you will gain the same degree from Curtin University. However, OUA has up to four study periods per year while Curtin has two semesters per year.

Partially online courses

Whilst some courses may not be available fully online, there are some components that can be accessed online. We recommend visiting the Curtin Handbook where you can view the units you will study within a course and their available study modes (e.g. online, partially online, internally).

Units classified as Fully Online may still require students to sit an exam on either the Curtin Perth campus, at a recognised examination centre or at another approved regional/rural location. View the External Examinations webpage for further information.

Other online options: MOOCs,  MicroMasters® and Curtin Credentials

Curtin also offer Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that allow students to complete short courses on a variety of topics online for free. This is a great way to find out if you enjoy a particular area of study before beginning a full degree. Additionally, Curtin's MicroMasters® programs are graduate-level university courses designed to advance your career. Successful completion of a MicroMasters® credential at the appropriate level allows learners to apply for credit towards the completion of a Masters degree. 

Curtin Credentials are flexible courses to further your professional development. These can advance your career, boost your employability and develop your personal abilities. You can complete standalone credentials, or complete courses within a theme to build your knowledge and skills in a specific area. This flexibility means you can curate your learning to your career goals and abilities.

Maybe. It is highly recommended that you read the course and unit information so you are fully aware of the essential requirements of study and can identify if any activities or content would conflict with your culture or beliefs.

Some examples include the following:

• Human Biology and Anatomy students must view cadaver material to gain a three-dimensional perspective from carefully protected specimens.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students should be aware that Curtin's website and links may contain pictures, film and names of people who have passed away.
• Fashion students may be required to organise fashion parades, including the coordination of live models backstage and can inadvertently be exposed to nudity as models prepare to change into designed garments.
• Students in Physiotherapy or Exercise and Sport Science must participate fully in all laboratories and clinical activities to develop the professional skills essential to be a competent practitioner. This requires that all students be suitably disrobed, for example in appropriate swimwear or undergarments, in a mixed class group to practise physiotherapy techniques on students of both genders throughout many of the laboratory sessions for the duration of the course.
• Curtin’s Sexology students are exposed to media material of a sexually graphic nature in order to teach the course and unit modules.

If you would like to find out more about the content of your chosen course, you can submit your questions via our webform. Your enquiry will be answered by one of our Curtin Connect Officers.

Curtin offers numerous services on campus that you can utilise if you need support. Visit Health and Wellbeing for more information. 

This will depend on which units you are enrolled in. Generally, the class types delivered at Curtin are defined below:

Lectures are presentations given by a subject matter expert, on a specific subject area within the unit you are studying. Lectures typically run from 50 minutes to 3 hours. Curtin’s lectures are often recorded and published on Blackboard. This allows students the freedom to watch their lectures when most convenient. Lectures could be offsite, live streamed, pre-recorded, or delivered face-to-face only. Please check with your Unit Coordinator for confirmation, or refer to the unit outlines.

Tutorials are small discussion groups led by a tutor. Each unit will usually have 1 tutorial per week. Tutorials involve a number of tasks and activities to help students develop their understanding of the content covered in the previous lecture.
Tutorials are designed to be interactive, providing the perfect opportunity for students to ask questions and participate in group discussions.

Laboratory or Clinical Practice classes have a more ‘hands-on’ approach, with a focus on the application and practice of learnt skills in a laboratory or clinic environment.

Seminars are small to medium-size group meetings between students and a lecturer or tutor for 1-3 hours. Seminars contain elements of a lecture and tutorial. That being, a seminar can involve a presentation by your tutor/lecturer, but will also include interactive tasks and group discussions.

Studio classes are usually required for art and design units. Similar to workshops, these are hands-on session where you will learn practical methods and processes specific to the set project.

Offsite activities is a scheduled activity undertaken off campus (for example fieldwork). 

Workshops focus on active learning approaches often undertaken by a large group of students subdivided into smaller groups. Like laboratory classes, workshop classes have a practical, hands-on approach to learning.

For further details on the classes required for your units, please refer to the unit outlines.

Our Graduate Certificate courses are comprised of four units and can be completed in one semester full-time or the equivalent part-time.

Graduate Certificate courses are designed for individuals wanting to develop skills in a specialised area. The majority of our Graduate Certificates require an applicant to have completed an undergraduate qualification, however, some are designed for non-graduates and may provide a basis for continuing postgraduate study.

See the online handbook for the full range of Graduate Certificates available.

In addition, some short courses in specific areas are also offered through the School of Public Health.

The International Sponsored Student Unit (ISSU) provides support to sponsored students and their sponsor organisations. There are four dedicated staff members who aim to ensure that students and sponsors are provided with quality support during their studies at Curtin.

Sponsored students who are new to Curtin need to contact the ISSU.

The Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is designed to assess initial teacher education students’ personal literacy and numeracy skills to ensure teachers are well equipped to meet the demands of teaching and assist higher education providers, teacher employers and the general public to have increased confidence in the skills of graduating teachers. It is made up of two parts (literacy and numeracy).

LANTITE is a national requirement for graduation from all teacher education courses from 1 July 2016 and ensures Curtin's Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses are fully accredited in accordance with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership standards for ITE programs.

Undertaking the tests successfully ensures students will meet all requirements of registering bodies across Australian states and territories and will not be disadvantaged when seeking employment opportunities.

The best source for LANTITE information is the ACER website. If you have further general questions, please email HUM-ED-LANTITE@curtin.edu.au.