Are you new to UWA and confused about the terminology, systems and services we refer to? We have you covered! Check out our glossary below of common terms you’ll come across as a student.
On this page, you can find terms that cover:
UWA Systems and IT
- LMS: Your Learning Management System. Access your course materials, view assignments and see posts from your academics.
- studentConnect: Your Student Management System. Update your personal information, enrol and withdraw from units and unit sets (majors), view and pay your fees, order academic documents.
- Class Allocation System (CAS): Your Timetable System. Select your class times for the semester and find the location of your classes.
- Student Email: Your official student email account ([email protected]). We’ll send emails to this account during your time as a student.
- Unihub: One-stop shop for career services, internships, job opportunities, workshops and events.
- askUWA: Search frequently asked questions (FAQs) or submit a query to student support teams. Check out the FAQs to see if your question has been answered already. If not, you can submit a query and it will be answered within a few university business days.
- UniApps: UWA’s Virtual Desktop give you access to most coursework systems and applications. Access UniApps from the LMS.
- Microsoft Office: You have a full student subscription to Office 365 software, including MS Teams.
- UniStart: Your UWA onboarding journey. Get connected to the systems you need and plan your orientation
- SafeZone: Download the SafeZone app to connect directly with UWA Security and help you stay safe on campus.
- Uni ID: Uni ID is UWA's access management system, use your student number and Uni ID password to access multiple University systems and services. Visit Uni ID to activate your Uni ID account, change your password or to reset your password if you've forgotten it – your password expires every six months.
- MFA: Multi Factor Authentication is a second form of identification required when accessing UWA systems. For more information visit the MFA webpage or contact University Library for technical support.
- USI: Your Unique Student Identifier is an Australian Government requirement and is your individual education number for life. Unlike your UWA student number, your USI is issued by the government and taken with you if you study at other Australian institutions.
- TFN: Your Tax File Number is used if you plan to work in Australia, or to defer your fees to Government Loans if you’re eligible.
- TechDesk: IT support in connecting your device/s to UWA services. Visit a Library Information Desk for help.
My course and units
- Course: A structured program of study leading to an academic qualification, such as a bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctorate. A course consists of units that must be completed to graduate.
- Course attempt status refers to the enrolment status in your course.
- Inactive: Your course is inactive if the units you’re enrolled in haven’t started or you’re not enrolled in any units yet.
- Enrolled: You’re currently enrolled and studying.
- Unconfirmed: You have an application or offer for a course and are waiting to accept or meet the conditions.
- Intermit: You are currently on a period of Approved Leave (intermission) from your course.
- Discontinued: You have either withdrawn from your course, or it’s been discontinued due to lapsed enrolment or poor academic progress.
- Completed: You have satisfied all the requirements of your course.
- Credit points: A basic measure of study load for a unit. The total units you’re studying in a teaching period determines your study load.
- Study load
- Full-Time load: A standard full-time study load normally consists of 48 credit points in one academic year (24 credit points per semester – there are two standard semesters in each academic year).
- Part-Time load: For domestic students, part-time enrolment is less than 36 credit points in one academic year (or less than 18 credit points in a semester).
- Unit set: Also called a major, minor, program or specialisation. A stream of related units that help you specialise in a particular area of study or achieve specific learning outcomes in your degree plan. You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course (for Undergraduate degree).
- Unit: A unit is a component of study focused on a particular subject or topic.
- Unit readings: Your essential and recommended readings which you can access for each unit in the LMS.
Type of units
- Core: Compulsory units within a major that must be completed to complete your major.
- Option: A selection of compulsory units within a major you can choose between; a select number must be completed to complete your major.
- Bridging: Units designed for students who have not met the relevant ATAR level (or equivalent qualification) required as prerequisites for their major.
- Elective: A free-choice unit you choose – you could pick something outside of your area of study, complete units on exchange or consider an internship.
- Pre-requisite: Some units require you to have prior knowledge before you can study them. This prior knowledge is known as a ‘pre-requisite’. You can find a unit's pre-requisites in the UWA Handbook. What is a pre-requisite?
- Co-requisite: A unit that you must take simultaneously with another unit or have completed that unit previously. You can find a unit's co-requisites in the UWA Handbook.
- Levels: Units are assigned a Level to show the required prior knowledge or learning needed. Undergraduate units have three levels: Level 1 units are entry-level or introductory units. You can progress to Level 2 or Level 3 units as soon as you meet the prerequisites and any other unit rules.
- Incompatible: If the content of a unit is equivalent or like another unit, the units are 'incompatible', meaning you can’t complete both units.
- Enrolled: you are enrolled in the unit.
- Invalid/Breach: The unit has specific entry requirements (e.g., placement testing, a music audition, prerequisite units, pending ATAR or external study results) that must be completed first. Visit the Invalid Unit webpage to find out why you have an invalid unit, and how you can fix it.
- Compulsory units: These units are automatically enrolled and available in your LMS.
- ACE: Academic Conduct Essentials (ACE) is an online compulsory unit that introduces you to principles of ethical scholarship and expectations for correct academic conduct at university, and you will need to complete it each time you commence a new course.
- CARS: Communication and Research Skills (CARS) is an online compulsory unit that assists you in developing basic communication and research skills in an academic context.
- ISE: Indigenous Studies Essentials (ISE) is a 'welcome-to-country' online compulsory unit that introduces you to the shared learning space of UWA.
- Unit Outline: A document that provides essential information about a course, including its objectives, assessment tasks, schedule, resources and expectations. View your current unit outline in LMS (published one week before the start of the teaching period).
Request your past outlines/descriptions of units by visiting the Unit Outlines webpage.
- Study plan: A summary of the units required for your course, and when they will be studied. It’s an important tool to ensure you meet prerequisites, stay on track for graduation, and enrol each year. You can create your study plan from the templates in the Handbook under your major.
Consider adding exchange or internships as electives. If unsure, check with your Student Advising Office.
- Enrolment: Adding a unit(s) for the upcoming or current academic year. You may also hear the term ‘re-enrolment’ which is any enrolment that happens after your first semester.
- Transfer: Moving from one undergraduate course to another. Find out more on the Enrolments website.
- Advanced standing/Credit transfer: Apply for credit for units you've completed in a previous course, either at UWA or another institution.
- Cross-institutional: Current UWA students can apply to study a unit at another Australian tertiary institution for credit towards their UWA degree.
- Special Approval: Apply for a rule waiver for course or unit rules. Examples: enrol in a unit late, enrol in a unit without meeting the prerequisite, overload in a semester, additional points to your degree. Find out more on the Special Approval webpage.
- Approved Leave: If you need to take some time off from your studies, you can apply for Approved Leave.
- See the important dates webpage for specific dates.
- Teaching week: A week during the semester when classes are held.
- Vacation: A designated holiday period within the academic year when classes are not held.
- Study Break: A week during the semester when there are no classes, so you can review study material, work on assessments and prepare for upcoming tests and exams.
- Census date: The date you become financially liable for any subjects in which you’re enrolled in for a given teaching period. Each teaching period has its own census date.
- Academic withdrawal date: The date by which you must withdraw from a unit of study to avoid a fail grade. If you’re still enrolled in the unit but don’t attend classes or submit assignments, the unit will be recorded as a fail on your academic transcript.
- Withdraw: To officially leave a unit or your course. Different dates will determine how this may impact your fees and grades.
- O-Week: Orientation Week is a chance for you to learn about the campus and university life. Find out more on the Orientation webpage.
- Statement of Academic Record (Transcript): An official record of all your studies at UWA. This document provides a detailed, official summary of your academic history, including all units and courses completed, grades achieved and the overall degree progression. What is a Statement of Academic Record?
- Statement of Enrolment: Free of charge document (accessible from studentConnect) available for each academic year which includes your courses of study, study load and academic year dates. How can I view and print my Statement of Enrolment?
- Letter of Enrolment: An official letter verifying your current or past enrolment at UWA. This letter includes your courses of study (both current and prior), study load (full-time or part-time), approved leave dates (if applicable), nominated completion date, and academic year dates (including University vacation dates). What is a Letter of Enrolment?
- AHEGS: Your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement. This document provides a summary of your academic achievements and additional qualifications upon graduation. The AHEGS includes details such as your degree, majors and academic honours (if applicable). What is the Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement?
- Statement of Qualification (Completion letter): An official document confirming the successful completion of your course, including your awarded qualification and completion date. What is a Statement of Qualification?
- Policy Library: Be aware of the UWA policies that impact your learning.
Life at UWA
- MazeMap: An interactive online campus map that helps you find buildings, classrooms and other facilities at UWA.
- UWA Student Guild: Offers a wide range of services, including advocacy, support and resources to enhance your student life. The UWA Student Guild organises events, social activities and clubs, offers welfare services, and provides access to discounted goods and services. It also represents students’ interests on University committees and in dealings with University administration.
- UWA Clubs: Student-run organisations that cater to various interests, hobbies, academic fields and cultures. It’s your opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities, develop skills, connect with like-minded individuals and build a sense of community. Visit the UWA Student Guild clubs webpage to join a club.
- Campus card: Your student ID card displays your photo and student number. It’s used for library borrowing, printing, accessing buildings, sitting examinations, showing proof of concession fares and displaying membership stickers.
Need to get your first campus card? Visit the Campus card webpage for more information.
- Classes: Classes are your contact hours for a unit. There are different kinds of classes a unit might include:
- Lecture: Large formal classes that provide overviews of unit material, run by a lecturer. Lectures are often recorded for you to re-watch later.
- Tutorial: Also known as a "tute", this is a small group discussion led by tutors, of a unit's weekly topic.
- Seminar: A class focused on a specific topic, designed to encourage your critical thinking, independent research and teamwork while allowing you to explore the subject in more detail.
- Lab (laboratory): A practical, hands-on environment where you conduct experiments, tests or practice skills related to your field of study.
- Workshop: An interactive session where you engage in practical activities, discussions or exercises related to a specific topic or skill. It’s designed to provide hands-on learning and foster collaboration among participants.
- CAS: Class Allocation System/ Timetable system is used to manage your class times (lectures, tutorials, labs etc.) for units in the current semester.
Note: some courses and units don’t use CAS, you’ll find information in your LMS.
- CAS Modes:
- Preference mode: This is when you can enter your class preferences and view your allocations in CAS. When selecting preferences for each class, you’ll need to nominate what day and time you prefer in order of priority.
- Review and adjust mode: This is where you are allowed to make adjustments to your timetable in CAS.
- Read-only mode: From Week 3 of each semester, all units change to 'Read-only' mode in CAS meaning that allocation changes are not allowed for any units.
Studying and Libraries
- Echo360: Records and stores lectures, allowing you to watch them online in your own time. Access lecture recordings for units in the LMS.
- Onesearch: Search for books, journal articles, databases and other library resources, and get easy access to UWA’s academic materials and digital collections.
- Referencing: This shows where you have used ideas or information created by another person in your work. Need help with referencing and using sources? Visit the Referencing webpage.
- Turnitin: An electronic text-matching system that compares words in your assignment against a database of sources to detect plagiarism. View these helpful guides.
Exams and assessments
- Assessment: How your unit is evaluated (you demonstrated your knowledge and understanding of a unit). Different types of assessments may be used. The assessment types for your unit can be found in the Handbook. Assessment types include:
- Individual assignment: An assessment you complete independently, typically to demonstrate your understanding of a specific topic or concept.
- Individual presentation: A presentation where you showcase your research, ideas and findings on a specific topic.
- In-class/online test/quiz: A brief assessment used to evaluate your knowledge on specific topics, usually through multiple-choice, true/false or short-answer questions.
- Group assignment: A project in which you and your peers work together to complete. It involves sharing responsibilities, collaborating on ideas and combining each person's strengths to achieve a common goal.
- Group presentation: A presentation where a team of students works together to present a topic, with each member contributing to different parts of the presentation.
- End-of-semester/mid-semester exam: A formal test that you take to show your knowledge or ability in a particular unit. Find out more information on the Exams webpage.
- Dissertation/thesis: A long research project, often for a master’s or doctoral degree, involving original research that contributes new knowledge to your field of study.
- Design folio: A collection of your design work that showcases your creative process, skills and completed projects.
- Laboratory assessment: An evaluation used to test your understanding and practical skills in a laboratory setting.
- Participation: actively engaging in class.
Results and progression
- Mark: A numerical grade (or score) between 0 and 100 for a unit you’ve completed. These marks contribute to your WAM.
- Grade: In addition to receiving a Mark for completed units, you also receive a grade. A grade is a letter code which corresponds with the Mark received for a unit. For example, a HD (high distinction) is awarded for marks between 80-100. Some grades are awarded without a mark, for example a WD indicates the unit was withdrawn, and not marked. What does each grade code mean?
- WAM: The Weighted Average Mark is a calculation of the average mark you achieve across the units you complete in your course.
- GPA: The Grade Point Average is a numerical representation of the average grade you achieve across the units you complete in your course, calculated on a scale from 0 to 7.
- Academic progression is an assessment of your academic performance.
- Good standing: You have made, or are making, satisfactory progress in your course.
- Probation/Restrict 18: You haven’t made satisfactory progress in your course and have been placed on probation. Your enrolment is restricted to a maximum of three units (18 credit points) for next semester.
- Suspended: You’ve been suspended from your course and will not be permitted to continue in the course next semester.
- Excluded: You’ve failed to make satisfactory progress and have been excluded from your course.
- Expulsion: You’ve been expelled from the University.
- Showcause: You’ve failed to make satisfactory progress. As a result, a progress status of Suspension or Exclusion has been approved by your School.
- Unconsidered: Your course progress status is under consideration by the School Board of Examiners.
- Supplementary Assessment (SG): If you failed a unit, you might be eligible for a supplementary assessment. Supplementary assessments are automatically granted during the release of results. View the University Policy on Assessment (UP15/5).
- Appeal or review: UWA students can review and appeal an assessment outcome, a final grade or mark, progress status and certain other academic decisions. Visit the Reviews and Appeals webpage for more.
Fees and scholarships
- Tuition fee: Your study fees depend on several factors, including the type of course, your residency status, and whether you are studying full-time or part-time.
- Student Services and Amenities Fee(SSAF): A compulsory fee charged to all students to support non-academic services and facilities. The fee is typically charged each semester, and the amount varies depending on your study load. What is SSAF?
- Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): A place at a university or higher education provider where the government pays part of your tuition fees. What is a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)?
- ECAF (commonwealth assistance form): A Commonwealth government loan for eligible students to defer tuition fees. These will be automatically available via studentConnect for eligible students.
- Scholarships: UWA offers a variety of scholarships for both domestic and international students. Find more information on the Scholarships
- Remission of fees: If you can't continue your studies after the Census date, you may be able to apply for a refund of tuition fees or a remission of your HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP debt due to special circumstances.
- Statement of Account (eSOA): your SOA is issued for your tuition fees and SSAF fees each semester or teaching period. The statement outlines the charges for your units or services fee, and provides details on how to make a payment. International and domestic students or sponsored students who have deferred their fees will still receive a statement of account to review the amount being deferred.
Extra-curricular and co-curricular
- WIL: The Work Integrated Learning program offers you placements or internships with host organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Visit the WIL webpage for more information.
- Internships: Get practical work experience and develop industry skills. Internships can be part of a degree program or pursued independently.
- Exchange: Studying overseas at another university as part of your UWA degree. Exchange may be called ‘Global Learning’, and can be for short term, a semester or a year.
- UniMentor: Get support in your first semester at UWA – connect with a current student who can provide invaluable guidance to help you navigate UWA life.
- UniAccess: Get support for your mental health, disability, or any issues affecting your studies, and request help with campus access, exam arrangements, special consideration and more. Visit the UniAccess webpage for more information.
- Student Assist: Get help with academic, welfare or financial issues during your studies at UWA. Visit the Student Assist webpage for more information.
- Academic Skills Centre: Participate in free, innovative academic skills development programs to improve your study techniques, time management, writing, communication, English language, maths, stats and research skills. Visit the Academic Skills Centre webpage for more information.
- Special Consideration: Lets your School and Student Office consider factors that may have impacted your academic performance. Find out more on the Special Consideration webpage.
- The Living Room: Feeling stressed, worried or lonely? At The Living Room, you can drop in, no appointment necessary, for a chat with a Peer Supporter.
- International Student Lounge: Drop into the International Student Lounge (Room G31, Ground Floor, Building 352). This is your dedicated space on campus to meet staff and student ambassadors who can support your transition to UWA.
- Accommodation support: If you find yourself homeless or in distress, there are places you can go for help, both at UWA and externally.
- Reporting: If you don’t want to come in and see us, you can make a report online
- Incident Support: Email us about your safety, academic, wellbeing and reporting options after an incident of sexual assault or domestic violence. You can also submit a report or complaint.
- Support for sexual harassment and assault: If you, or someone you know, has experienced a sexual assault, it’s important that the person accesses medical care as soon as possible. All medical and wellbeing support options are confidential and not linked with your academic record or your visa to study in Australia.
- UWA Security: Delivers 24/7 patrols on campus, walking escorts, responding to incidents and emergencies, and CCTV monitoring. Download the SafeZone app to help you stay safe at UWA.