Common uni words
Are you confused by all the university jargon? Look no further. This list translates uni-lingo into plain speaking.
Bachelor degree
The standard university award recognised worldwide for successfully completing an undergraduate course.
Double degree
Studying two complementary bachelor degrees concurrently. For example, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce.
Honours
Additional research and coursework at an advanced level.
Bridging course / Enabling course
A program of study that can assist you in meeting the admission criteria of your chosen course.
Non-award course
A program of study that doesn’t lead to a formal award.
Postgraduate degree
A higher degree qualification and subject specialisation that can be studied once you have completed a bachelor degree.
Undergraduate study
Tertiary education that leads to your first qualification from a university, usually a bachelor degree.
Major
A series of eight or more units in an area of specialisation within a bachelor degree course. A major includes at least two units at final year level.
Double major
Studying two majors within a degree course.
Minor
A series of four units in the same subject, including at least two units at second-year level or higher.
Professional placement or internship
Working in a professional environment to extend your knowledge and practical skills.
Specialisation
Similar to a minor: a series of four units in the same subject, including at least two units at second-year level or higher.
Stream
An area of specialisation. For example, the Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food Science) enables you to specialise in either nutrition or food science.
Unit
A component of a course that covers one subject area in detail. A unit may comprise lectures, tutorials, class presentations, group work, computer lab sessions, case studies, workplace assignments and exams.
Core unit
A compulsory unit, as specified in the course outline.
Elective unit
A unit that you can select from any school or discipline, provided you meet the prerequisites.
Optional unit
A unit that you select from a list specified in the course outline.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria to gain entry to a Curtin course.
ATAR
The Australian Tertiary Admission rank, used for allocating places in university courses.
Guaranteed ATAR
A rank that guarantees you a place on the course provided you meet the course prerequisites and English proficiency requirements.
Minimum ATAR
The lowest rank you need to be considered for entry to a course.
CRICOS code
Courses registered with a Commonwealth Register of International Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). These courses are available to international students studying in Australia on a student visa.
Desirable
A non-essential but recommended subject completed before starting a course.
Duration
The time it will take to complete the course if you study full-time.
English language proficiency
The essential literacy level you need to study a Curtin course.
Intake
The time of year that you can start the course, often the start of semester one or the start of semester two.
Location
Curtin campuses that offer the course.
Online
Courses that are delivered via the internet. These courses may include online lectures, discussion forums, chat rooms and team projects.
Prerequisite
A subject or unit you must complete before starting a course or taking a higher-level unit.
STAT
A national test for those without formal entry requirements, which assesses aptitude for learning in a tertiary environment. STAT is used in two ways: as a pathway for mature-age students to meet all entry requirements for select courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements if you have not done so through your year 12 studies. Some courses require specific components of the test. Details about the test can be found on the TISC website.
Study mode
The type of study you undertake in a semester or a trimester – either full-time or part-time.
Domestic students
Full-time study is three or four units per semester. Part-time study is one or two units per semester. Studying part-time reduces your weekly workload but extends the duration of your course.
International students
International students studying in Australia on a student visa must study four units per semester for most courses. A small number of courses allow a study load of three units.
Other university terms
Adjustment factors
Points added to your ATAR that may raise your selection rank for particular courses. Common types of adjustment factors include equity and location.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria to gain entry to a Curtin course.
Admission pathways
Options and courses that enable you to meet the admission criteria of your chosen course.
Advanced standing
Recognition of any previous study or work experience you have that may exempt you from having to study some units of your degree. Previously called credit for recognised learning.
ATAR
The Australian Tertiary Admission rank, used for allocating places in university courses.
Bachelor degree
The standard university award recognised worldwide for successfully completing an undergraduate course.
Bridging course
A program of study that can assist you in meeting the admission criteria of your chosen course.
Campus
University grounds, including laboratories, lecture theatres, administration buildings and recreational areas.
Contact hours
The number of hours you are expected to attend university.
Core unit
A compulsory unit, as specified in the course outline.
Credit points
Points allocated to each study unit. Most units carry a value of 25 credit points. A three-year degree has a total value of 600 credit points.
CRICOS code
Courses registered with a Commonwealth Register of International Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). These courses are available to international students studying in Australia on a student visa.
Deferred study
A gap-year, where you can defer your degree by 12 months.
Desirable
A non-essential but recommended subject completed before starting a course.
Double degree
Studying two complementary bachelor degrees concurrently. For example, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce.
Double major
Studying two majors within a degree course.
Duration
The time it will take to complete the course if you study full-time.
Elective unit
A unit that you can select from any school or discipline, provided you meet the prerequisites.
Enabling course
A program of study that can assist you in meeting the admission criteria of your chosen course.
English language proficiency
The essential literacy level you need to study a Curtin course.
Enrolment
The process of registering to study a course.
Exceptional circumstances
Circumstances beyond your control or circumstances not anticipated at the time of enrolment in the course.
Faculty
A teaching area comprising university schools and disciplines.
Graduate
A person who has successfully completed an award course at the University.
Guaranteed ATAR
A rank that guarantees you a place on the course provided you meet the course prerequisites and English proficiency requirements.
Honours
Additional research and coursework at an advanced level.
Incidental fees
Course-specific expenses that are additional to the course unit fees. They may be compulsory or optional.
Intake
The time of year that you can start the course, often the start of semester one or the start of semester two.
Internship
Working in a professional environment to extend your knowledge and practical skills.
Leave of absence
An approved break from study.
Lecture
A presentation that conveys critical information on a particular subject area. Lectures run from 50 minutes up to three hours.
Lecturers
Experts who convey information to groups of students in lectures. Most lecturers are also tutors.
Letter of course completion
An official document stating that all academic requirements for the course have been met.
Location
Curtin campuses that offer the course.
Major
A series of eight or more units in an area of specialisation within a bachelor degree course. A major includes at least two units at final year level.
Matriculation
A word used to describe your status when you have satisfied the minimum admission criteria for university entry.
Mature age
You’re a mature age student if you are at least 20 years old by 1 March (semester one intake) or 1 August (semester two intake) in the year you want to start studying.
Minimum ATAR
The lowest rank you need to be considered for entry to a course.
Minor
A series of four units in the same subject, including at least two units at second-year level or higher.
Non-award course
A program of study that doesn’t lead to a formal award.
Online
Courses that are delivered via the internet. These courses may include online lectures, discussion forums, chat rooms and team projects.
Optional unit
A unit that you select from a list specified in the course outline.
OUA
Open Universities Australia.
Postgraduate degree
A higher degree qualification and subject specialisation that can be studied once you have completed a bachelor degree.
Postgraduate students
Students who have completed a bachelor degree and are continuing their studies in a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master degree or doctorate.
Preparatory program
University bridging courses, enabling programs and foundation programs.
Prerequisite
A subject or unit you must complete before starting a course or taking a higher-level unit.
Professional placement
Working in a professional environment to extend your knowledge and practical skills.
Scholarships
Awards offering financial, academic and career support. Some scholarships are offered for academic achievement, while others are designed to make university possible for students who face financial hardship.
Schools
Schools are part of Curtin’s organisational structure. They are teaching areas that sit within faculties.
School-leaver
You’re a school leaver if you’re in your final year of high school, or you completed high school in the past year.
Semester
A 17-week study period. There are two semesters per calendar year.
Specialisation
Similar to a minor: a series of four units in the same subject, including at least two units at second-year level or higher.
STAT
A national test for those without formal entry requirements, which assesses aptitude for learning in a tertiary environment. STAT is used in two ways: as a pathway for mature-age students to meet all entry requirements for select courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements if you have not done so through your year 12 studies. Some courses require specific components of the test. Details about the test can be found on the TISC website.
Stream
An area of specialisation. For example, the Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food Science) enables you to specialise in either nutrition or food science.
Study mode
The type of study you undertake in a semester or a trimester – either full-time or part-time.
Domestic students
Full-time study is three or four units per semester. Part-time study is one or two units per semester. Studying part-time reduces your weekly workload but extends the duration of your course.
International students
International students studying in Australia on a student visa must study four units per semester for most courses. A small number of courses allow a study load of three units.
TEE/TER/TES
Year 12 examinations and rankings awarded before 2010. These were replaced by ATAR.
If you took TEE, your results can still be used to apply for a course.
TISC
The Tertiary Institutions Service Centre processes university applications on behalf of the four public Western Australian universities. It also administers STAT.
Trimester
A 14-week study period. There are three trimesters per calendar year.
Tutorials
Small discussion groups led by a tutor. It may involve weekly assessments, such as a presentation to the group, a written exercise or participation in group discussion.
Undergraduate study
Tertiary education that leads to your first qualification from a university, usually a bachelor degree.
Unit
A component of a course that covers one subject area in detail. A unit may comprise lectures, tutorials, class presentations, group work, computer lab sessions, case studies, workplace assignments and exams.
University Examinations Office
The office responsible for coordinating and scheduling central examinations and issuing the results.
WACE
Western Australian Certificate of Education.
