Commencing Students

Getting Started

Offers of admission to the Newstep program will be mailed out to successful applicants during February. Once you have received your offer of a place in the Newstep program, the first steps you need to take to accept your offer and complete your enrolment are:

here

My Hub

Your letter of offer and the Step by Step Enrolment Guide contain detailed instructions for these steps. You can also view the University's How to Enrol video.

If you have any difficulties with Online Enrolment, please contact the Foundation Studies office.

Selecting the Right Courses for your Future Studies

You must enrol in 40 units of courses in each semester. At this stage, you are only enrolling in your semester 1 courses; you will enrol in your semester 2 courses at the end of semester 1.

You can find your course selections and descriptions here together with links to the class timetables.

You should ensure you consult the Faculty Recommendations for the courses that will best prepare you for specific undergraduate degree programs.

Information about the range and content of degree programs on offer at the University of Newcastle can be found in the Undergraduate Program Handbook.

Uncertain about what degree program you'd like to study or where it might lead you? The University's Careers Service can help with information about the jobs that are available to graduates.

Important: Once you have enrolled in your courses online, any changes to that course selection (including dropping courses or withdrawing from the program) must also be made using the My Hub system.

Once you have completed your online enrolment, you need to:

3. Attend the compulsory Orientation session

4. Obtain your student card

5. Set up your NUmail account

6. Purchase your course readers or textbooks

7. Read this: Other Important Information

Orientation

What is it?

Orientation is an important part of your preparation for university study. It provides an opportunity to learn more about the university, meet the lecturers and discuss your course choices. You will also meet past and present students, go on a tour of the campus and have all your questions about enrolment in Newstep answered.

When is it?

Ourimbah:

Callaghan:

The orientation session will run for about two and a half hours, and will be followed by a free BBQ.

Obtaining your student ID card

To obtain your student card you need to visit a Campus Student Hub between 9 am and 6 pm any week day, provide the required ID and have your photograph taken.

Important: You must bring photo ID with you or two other forms of identification. Information on the identification required can be found here.

Setting up Your NUmail Account

The University provides an email address for all of its students. Find out how to log on to your NUmail account here.

When you sign in to your NUmail account, you must use the format c1234567@uon.edu.au as your Windows Live ID. You would replace the c1234567 with c and your student number.

To protect your privacy you must use your NUmail to communicate with the University. It is essential that you check your NUmail account at least three times a week.

Purchasing your course readers or textbooks

Most of your courses will require you to purchase a Course Reader. These booklets are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from the PrintCentre at Callaghan campus or the Co-op Bookshop at Ourimbah.

Not all of your courses will require you to purchase a textbook. Textbooks are available from the Co-op bookshop on campus. You can find out the textbook requirements for your courses online at Coop Bookshop website.

Search by the relevant course code for each course.

You may also become a Co-op Bookshop member. This is not mandatory and costs a one-off fee of $20. Membership entitles you to a range of benefits, including discounted prices. Look under "Membership" on the Co-op site for more info.

Further details about Course Readers and Textbook requirements will be provided at the Orientation Session and in your first lecture for each course.

Other Important Information

Disability Services

If you have a disability or chronic illness which you feel may impact on your studies, you need to register with the staff in Disability Support. It is essential that you register at the beginning of the semester if you require any special arrangements for class tests or formal examinations.

Disability categories include:

Hearing
Learning
Mobility
Psychological
Neurological
Blind and vision impaired
Print disability
Writing impaired
Medical conditions

Internet Access for Students under the age of 18

If you are under the age of 18 your parent or guardian will need to complete the Internet Access Permission Form. You may either bring the completed form with you to the Newstep Information and Orientation session, or else send it directly to the IT Service Desk at Callaghan campus.

Students from a Language Background other than English

The Newstep program requires students to have a good level of written and spoken English. It is assumed that students from a language background other than English will have undertaken formal study in English prior to commencing Newstep.

For information on the English Language support available to students from a non-English speaking background, contact the Foundation Studies office.

Travelling to Campus and Parking

There are limited parking spaces at each of the campuses and locating a car space can prove very time consuming. If you plan to bring your vehicle on to campus you will need to allow sufficient time prior to the start of your classes.

There is a $4.20 fee to park at the Callaghan campus between 8.00 am and 5.30 pm. Make sure you buy a daily ticket from the ticketing machine in the carpark or purchase a permit for the semester from one of the Student Hubs.

Parking on the Ourimbah campus is free.

Check out the Parking Rules for each campus.

We recommend that you consider other Transport Options such as bus, train, bicycle or carpooling and, where possible, avoid bringing your car on to campus.

As a full-time student, you will be eligible for a student transport concession card. To apply, visit a Student Hub.

Final Examinations at the end of the Semester

Formal end-of-semester examinations in Newstep are a compulsory part of the program (except in the case of the EPARTS courses and EPHUMA135 Directed Study). At the end of each semester you must be available to sit the exams in order to successfully complete the program.

Exams will be held during the exam periods in June and November - see here for dates. The exams are 2 hours in duration, and will be held under supervision on campus. Exams are normally held during business hours, Monday to Friday, but can be scheduled at 6 pm on weekdays or on a Saturday morning. You should plan now to be available during the entire exam period.

You will be notified of the exact times and locations of your exams approximately 4 weeks in advance.

Any questions?

If you have any enquiries, please contact the Foundation Studies office.

The University of Newcastle, Australia