Intensive Commencing Students

Getting Started

Offers of admission to the Open Foundation program will be mailed out to successful applicants 3-4 weeks prior to the start of the semester. Once you have received your offer of a place in the Open Foundation program, the first steps you need to take to accept your offer and complete your enrolment are:

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 and pass 40 units of study in one calendar year in order to complete Open Foundation.

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:

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 Open Foundation answered.

Please note that we are unable to provide child care during the orientation session.

When is it?

The orientation session will run for 3 hours and include a free BBQ lunch.

Following the BBQ, you may also attend an Introduction to Study workshop from 1.30 - 3.30 pm.

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. 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 and ensure that you check your NUmail account at least three times a week.

Purchasing your textbooks

You can purchase your textbooks by visiting the Co-op bookshop on campus. As textbooks can be costly, don't purchase them before you have definitely decided on the courses you will be doing. You can find out the textbook requirements for your courses online at the 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.

Other Important Information

Bridging Courses

You can brush up on your computing or essay writing skills, or get a headstart on your studies with a free pre-semester Bridging course. Check out the courses on offer and the timetable here.

Registrations for Bridging courses should preferably be submitted at least 5 days before the commencement of the course. Once you receive your offer, you will be able to set up your user name and password and log in to the Bridging Course registration system.

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.

Library Services

It's important to become familiar with the University library and all the services available to you. Make sure you go on a library orientation tour and read the Foundation Studies Library Guide.

Students from a Language Background other than English

The Open Foundation 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 Open Foundation.

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

Child Care on Campus

The child care services operating from the Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses are open to the general public as well as to staff and students. Due to the demand for child care places, enquiries should be made as early as possible.

Parking on Campus

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 8.00am and 5.30pm. 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.

Why not consider other Transport Options such as bus, train, bicycle or carpooling and, where possible, avoid bringing your car on to campus.

Student Survival Guide

Check out the Survival Guide to find out how the University works. There's lots of support available and the Guide will help you find it!

Final Examinations at the end of the Semester

Formal examinations in Open Foundation are a compulsory part of the course (except in the case of the EPARTS courses). At the end of semester you must pass exams in both of your courses 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.