Glossary of key terms / Study / The University of Newcastle, Australia

A

Academic calendar: Important University dates, such as semester dates, deadlines and official University holidays during the academic year.
Academic integrity: Acting honestly and ethically in your studies by acknowledging sources and completing your work independently.
Academic misconduct: Behaviour that breaches academic integrity, such as plagiarism, cheating, or unauthorised collaboration.
Academic progression: Your progress towards completing the requirements of your degree.
Academic transcript / Statement of Academic Record: The official record of your grades and academic achievements attained during your studies at the University of Newcastle.
AccessAbility: AccessAbility provides practical support, advocacy and advice to students with a temporary or permanent disability or health condition including mental health conditions and neurodivergence.
Adjustment factor: Additional points added to your rank (i.e. your ATAR) to calculate your selection rank, based on factors such as your subjects, location, or personal circumstances.
Adverse Circumstances: You can apply for adverse circumstances if illness or serious personal circumstances affect your ability to complete an exam or assessment.
ALS (Academic Learning Support): A free University service that provides workshops, resources, and one-on-one support to help students develop their study, writing, mathematics, statistics, and academic skills.
Alumni: Graduates of the University of Newcastle. 'Alumni' is the plural term used to refer to more than one former student.
Appeal: A request to review an academic or disciplinary decision made by the University that affects your assessment, progression, or conduct.
Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS): A record of all your higher education qualifications from the University of Newcastle.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF): The national framework that sets the standards for education and training qualifications in Australia. AQF levels indicate the level of learning achieved for a qualification.
ASKUON: The University of Newcastle's student help service, including an online FAQ database as well as support available by phone, e-mail, and on campus.
Assessment: Tasks used to evaluate your learning in a course, such as exams, assignments, presentations, or practical work.
Assumed knowledge: Recommended prior study or knowledge you should have before enrolling in a course. You can still enrol without it, but it may make the course more challenging.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR): A ranking between 0 and 99.95 used to compare students' Year 12 results across Australia and determine eligibility for university entry.
Artificial Intelligence / Generative AI: Technology that enables computers to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as understanding language, analysing data, and generating content.

B

Bridging and refresher courses: Short courses that cover the assumed knowledge required for some tertiary degrees and build study skills. See also NUPrep.

C

Cadmus: An online assessment platform within Canvas where students complete, submit, and receive feedback on written assessments.
Canvas: The University's Learning Management System (LMS), where you can access all your learning materials, submit assignments, and participate in course discussions.
Capstone course: This can be a core or compulsory course within a program, and is usually completed towards the end of a program. It provides the opportunity for a student to integrate and consolidate knowledge and skills learned throughout the program.
CareerHub: Online jobs and careers-related events noticeboard for University of Newcastle staff and students.
Census Date: The last day you can withdraw from a course without being financially liable for fees.
Chancellor: The head of the University Council, responsible for overseeing the University's governance and representing the University at official events and graduation ceremonies.
Chaplaincy: A free support service where students can access personal, pastoral, and spiritual support from University chaplains, regardless of their religious beliefs or background.
Chosen name ID card: A student ID card that displays an approved chosen name instead of your legal first name for gender affirmation or localisation of an international name.
Class Preferencing: The process of choosing and ranking your preferred class times in myTimetable. The University uses these preferences when allocating students to classes.
College Commendation List: An annual award recognising outstanding academic achievement by undergraduate students, recorded on their academic transcript and AHEGS.
College Medal: An award recognising outstanding academic achievement. It may be awarded to graduates whose results are below the level required for a University Medal and can be awarded in both Honours and non-Honours degrees.
Combined degree: A program that combines two degrees into a single study plan designed to fast-track your progress and reduce the total study required compared to completing the degrees separately.
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): A government-supported university place where part of your tuition is funded by the Australian Government and the student pays the remaining amount.
Commonwealth assistance notice (CAN): A document provided to you after census date which lists the units you enrolled in for that study period where you accessed Commonwealth assistance.
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): Government subsidised enrolment at the University, where you pay a student contribution amount for your tuition fees, and the rest is paid for by the government.
Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP): A government payment that provides financial support to eligible students undertaking required placements as part of their degree.
Compulsory Attendance: The requirement to attend or participate in lectures, tutorials, seminars, or practical classes. Some courses require a minimum level of attendance to pass.
Compulsory course: A course that you must successfully complete as part of your program
Compulsory program requirement (sometimes referred to as Milestone): A course or other element in a program which is required to be completed satisfactorily to either progress in the program or satisfy program requirements (e.g. industry experience).
Concession: Student discounts and deals, such as for public transport fees.
Compulsory Modules: Mandatory online modules covering topics such as academic integrity, respectful relationships, and cultural capability.
Concurrent Enrolment: Where you've received permission to enrol in more than one award course at the same time, or as part of an approved combined, double or dual degree program.
Conferral: The formal process of the University awarding your degree after you have completed all program requirements.
Confirmation of Enrolment (COE): Official evidence of student's enrolment with a provider registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), and is the document including key dteails about the provider, student and program of study required before the Department of Home Affairs can issue a student visa.
Core course: Compulsory subjects you must complete to meet course requirements.
Course: An individual subject you study as part of your degree (program).
Course Coordinator: Course Coordinators are the head of a course. They may also sometimes deliver the lectures for your course.
Course Delivery Modes: The method used to deliver a course, such as face-to-face, blended, simultaneous, flexible online, scheduled online, or online with intensives.
Course levels (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000): The level of a course, indicated by the first digit of the course code. Course levels generally reflect the expected complexity and depth of study.
Course outline: A document outlining the learning outcomes, assessments and expectations for a course. It can be found on Canvas or in the course handbook.
Course readings: A course reader is a collection of set readings for any particular course. You can find out whether your courses require one on Canvas. They are usually available for purchase from the UON Print Centre.
Credit for previous study: Recognition of previous study that can be counted towards your program. This may include specific credit, non-specific credit, or recognition of prior learning (RPL). See also Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS): The official Australian government register that lists all education providers and courses approved to teach international students.
Copyright: The legal rights that protect original creative works and determine how they can be copied, shared, used, or reused by others. Copyright also applies to work created by students, including assessments and theses.
Cross Institutional Study: Studying a course (or courses) at another university (or studying at the University of Newcastle from another institution) and having it credited towards your program, with approval.
College: A major academic division within the University, made up of related disciplines and organised into schools or departments.

D

Database (Library): An online collection of academic resources, such as journal articles, books and reports, that you can search through the Library.
Data Management: The process of collecting, organising, storing, and maintaining research data so it can be used, shared, and accessed appropriately throughout and after a research project.
Deferral: Delaying the start of your studies while keeping your offer to the University. Deferrals are usually approved for up to one year, although a second year may be approved in exceptional circumstances.
Degree: A Bachelor's, Honours, Master's or PhD qualification (not including a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate).
Directed course (also called Course List Course): Courses chosen from a specified list within a program, sometimes contributing to a major or specialisation. See your Program Handbook for available options.
Discontinuation (program): When you withdraw from your program. Discontinuation means you are no longer admitted to candidature and cease to be a student at the University.
Domestic student: A student who is an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or holds a permanent Australian humanitarian visa.

E

Early exit / Exit award: An early exit allows you to graduate with a lower award course than your enrolled degree, once you have completed sufficient units.
Elective: A course you choose based on your interests, outside the core or compulsory courses in your program. Check the program handbook or Program Planner to see what courses can be taken as an elective.
Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF): An Australian Government form that you need to complete before the relevant census date if you want to access government support (e.g. a CSP, HECS-HELP, SA-HELP, FEE-HELP) for your study.
Eligibility to Complete letter: An official document confirming that you are on track to complete your degree and will be eligible to graduate if you successfully complete your remaining courses.
EndNote: A reference management tool that helps you store, organise and format sources for your assignments and research.
Enrolment: Officially registered (called enrolled) to attend and be assessed for a particular subject or course, where you are liable for its associated tuition fees.
Equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL): A measure representing the annual study load that you would undertake in a course on a full-time basis.
Exam Period (formal): The period at the end of a term when the University schedules and conducts formal examinations.
Exam Period (rescheduled): A period after the formal examination period when approved students can sit or re-sit an exam due to adverse circumstances.
Exchange: A Global Experience Program that allows you to study at a partner university overseas, or study at the University of Newcastle as a visiting student from another institution, while remaining enrolled at your home university.
Expulsion: A student may be terminated as a result of serious disciplinary action or misconduct at the University. Expulsion means that you will not receive results, be allowed to graduate or re-enrol in any course at the University.
Extension (for course assignments): An arrangement made with your unit of study coordinator to permit late submission of work. Extensions are usually submitted through Adverse Circumstances in Canvas.

F

FEE-HELP: Australian government tuition fee loan for eligible fee-paying students (not Commonwealth Supported Place).
Financial Aid / Financial Support: Student loans, grants and scholarships to help pay for study expenses.
Full-time study: A study load that allows you to complete your degree in the minimum time. This is usually 40 units per semester (or 30 units per trimester).
Fully graded date (FGD): The date (per study term) when all final results for a course are released and available to students.

G

Genuine student requirement (GS): A visa requirement for international students to show they intend to study in Australia and meet student visa conditions.
Grade: The outcome you receive for a unit of study based on the assessments completed. Your grades are sometimes displayed on your academic transcript as a result code (e.g. HD, D, C, P, F) or as a numerical grade.
Graduation ceremony: An optional ceremony where you'll receive your testamur and can celebrate your academic achievements with us.
Grade Point Average (GPA): A GPA is the average of all grades achieved in a program, measured on a 7-point grading scale. You can use the University's GPA calculator to estimate your GPA.
Grey Literature: Information and research that is published outside of traditional academic journals and books. Examples include reports, government documents, policies, conference papers, theses, and industry publications.

H

Health Service: The University's on-campus healthcare service, providing medical care, health support, and referrals for students and staff.
HECS-HELP: Australian government tuition fee loan for eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students.
HELP loan: An Australian Government loan that helps eligible students pay their tuition or study-related fees, which is repaid through the tax system.
Higher degree by research (HDR) student: A postgraduate student enrolled in a research program, where most of the degree involves supervised research leading to a thesis or creative work.
Honours: An additional level of study within some degrees, involving advanced coursework or a major project, often based on high academic achievement.
Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC): A committee that reviews research involving people to ensure it is conducted ethically and protects participants.

I

Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP): The rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to their cultural heritage, knowledge, traditions, languages, stories, art, and other cultural expressions.
Integrated Learning Session: They are a face-to-face classroom or online session where you can meet your academics and ask questions in a smaller class setting.__
Intellectual Property: Original ideas, inventions, creative works, research outputs, and other creations that can be legally protected. Students may create intellectual property through their studies, research, placements, or projects.
International student: A student (as defined by the University) who is not an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or New Zealand citizen (or dual citizenship holders of either Australia or New Zealand). This includes students who will be studying offshore and those who will be studying onshore and have a student visa, provisional residency, temporary residency, bridging visa, or any other category of non-permanent visa for Australia.

J

Journals and journal articles: Academic publications containing research articles written by experts in a particular field. They can be accessed through the Library.

L

Labs: Practical, hands-on version of a tutorial.
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty: The final date you can withdraw (drop) from a course without receiving a fail grade or academic penalty on your transcript.
Lecture: A formal presentation of coursework to a large group of students by a lecturer.
Leave of Absence: An approved break from your studies that allows you to return to your program without applying for admission again. A Program Advisor can help you decide if this is the right option.
Library Search: The University Library's catalogue search engine to accessing both digital and physical resources.
Live Virtual Lecture: A lecture delivered online in real time, allowing students to participate remotely and interact with teaching staff and other students during the session.

M

Major: A group of courses in a specific area of study within your degree, usually a compulsory requirement that appears on your academic transcript.
Maximum Time for Completion of Your Program: The maximum period allowed to complete your program, measured from when you commence study. This includes any approved leave or suspension periods but does not include periods of deferral.
Midyear Session: The Midyear Session is a flexible study period between Semesters 1 and 2, designed to help you catch up or get ahead in your studies, or to gain valuable work experience through placement.
Minor: A smaller group of courses in a specific area of study within your degree. It is optional and appears on your academic transcript.
Multi-Term Sequence course: A course delivered over two consecutive terms, where you must enrol in each part within the same academic year. Also sometimes known as part A and part B courses.
My eQuals: A secure online service that allows you to access, share, and verify your official University documents, such as transcripts, testamurs, and qualification records.
myHub (Student portal): Student Information System used for administration activities including enrolment, updating personal details, completing mandatory tasks, paying fees.
myUni: The student portal that provides access to key online tools and services used during your studies. There is also a myUni app.
MyTimetable: The University's timetable system that allows you to view available classes, register for class activities, manage your timetable, and nominate preferences where available.

N

National Criminal Record Check (NCRC) / National Police Check (NPC): A background check that provides a summary of your criminal history, often required for placements or work in certain industries.
Negative service indicator (NSI): A restriction placed on your student record that may limit access to services such as results or transcripts until the matter outstanding is resolved. You might receive an NSI if you are indebted to the University, or because you haven't completed a mandatory action.
Newcastle Collge of International Education (CIE): A pathway provider for international students who do not meet the entry requirements for direct admission to the University. CIE offers foundation, degree transfer, and pre-master's programs that can lead to further study at the University of Newcastle.
Non-Award Study: Studying one or more courses at the University without completing a degree or other qualification. Non-award study may be undertaken for professional development, personal interest, or preparation for further study.
NUPrep: NUPrep is a free bridging and refresher course program offered by the University of Newcastle to help new students prepare for university study.

O

Open Access: Research publications and other scholarly works that are made freely available online, allowing anyone to access and read them.
Open Foundation: A free enabling program offered by the University of Newcastle that prepares you for university study and provides a pathway into a degree.
Orientation: The University's onboarding program for new students, providing information and support to help you transition into university life and your first term of study.
OS-HELP: A loan, through the Australian Government, for Commonwealth supported students who want to study some of their course overseas.

P

Parking Permit: A permit that allows eligible students to park in designated University parking areas. Permits are managed online through vPermit and use licence plate recognition instead of a physical permit.
Part-time study: Domestic students may be able to study part-time by enrolling in less than 30 units per semester or trimester, if their program allows it.
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS): Stands for Peer Assisted Study Sessions. These are one-hour weekly review sessions for you to compare notes, discuss difficult concepts and review weekly material with other students.
Peer-reviewed: A source that has been reviewed by experts in the field before publication to ensure quality and accuracy. Often used in the context of peer-reviewed journals.
PHD (Doctor of Philosophy): The highest level of university qualification, awarded after completing an original research project that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in a field of study.
Placement: Practical experience completed as part of your course or program, such as a clinical placement, practicum or internship.
Plagiarism: The wrongful publication of another's ideas or words without acknowledging the source, including uncited use of AI. All students are required to take the Academic Integrity Module before the end of their first enrolment period.
Postgraduate: Study completed after an undergraduate degree, such as a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree or doctorate. It can also refer to a student enrolled in one of these programs.
Practicals: Some of the courses that you do will involve practicals (sometimes called 'pracs'). Pracs give you a practical understanding of specific methodologies and skills appropriate to the course.
Prerequisite: See requisite
Program: A program is another name for a degree.
Program Advisor (Student Progression Advisor): A staff member who provides advice and support on your enrolment, program planning and academic progress, and can help you access support services to succeed in your studies. Pop into Student Central to make an appointment or go to AskUON for more info.
Program Convenor: An academic staff member responsible for the overall management and quality of your program (degree), who can provide advice on course selection and academic matters.
Program Planner: An online tool that helps you plan your courses and track your progress towards completing your degree. After planning your courses, you can use MyUni or MyHub to enrol in courses.
Program planning: Setting the overall goals and direction, such as majors and graduate pathways, of your study at the University. See also Program Planner.
Program transfer / Degree transfer: Changing from one program (degree) to another at the University, usually through an internal application process.

R

Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP): A Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) is a personalised document that outlines the academic adjustments you need to reduce the impact of your health condition or disability on your studies. It's created in collaboration with an AccessAbility Advisor.
Recess: A short break in the middle of a teaching period (semester or trimester). See also University Key Dates.
Referencing: The process of acknowledging the sources you have used in an assessment. Referencing allows readers to identify where information came from and helps you avoid plagiarism.
Referencing style: A set of rules for citing and listing sources in your work, such as APA or Harvard. Clarify what referencing style is used within your course as this may differ on course subject.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): The assessment of your previous formal, informal, or non-formal learning to support admission to a program. If your program does not offer an RPL pathway, you may be able to apply using a Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form.
Recoginition of Prior Learning (RPL) Pathways: An admission pathway available for some postgraduate programs that assesses previous study and professional experience against the admission requirements. Eligible students may receive Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which can reduce the length of their program.
Reduced study load (RSL): Student visa holders are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24 credit points per teaching period. Eligible students may be able to apply for a reduced study load to enrol in less than the full-time amount.
Remission of fees (Refund of fees): A process that allows eligible students to apply for a refund of tuition fees or the removal of a HELP debt when special circumstances beyond their control have significantly affected their studies.
Requisite: A condition that you need to meet in order to be able to enrol in a subject (e.g. a prerequisite, co-requisite, anti-requisite). These are found in the course handbook.
Rubric: A tool used to assess an assignment that shows the marking criteria and the performance standards required for each grade level.

S

SA-HELP: A loan, through the Australian Government, available to eligible students to pay for all or part of their SSAF.
Scholarship: Award with monetary or other benefits, awarded on the basis of academic results, financial need, etc.
School (within a College): An academic unit within a College where staff have a common disciplinary and/or inter-disciplinary research and teaching responsibility.
Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS): An early entry scheme that allows your school to recommend you for university admission based on your Year 11 results and other criteria, rather than your ATAR alone.
Selection Rank: The rank used to assess your eligibility for entry into a program, calculated from your rank (e.g. your ATAR) and any adjustment factors.
Semester: A teaching period of around 12 weeks (excluding recess). The University typically has two main semesters each year.
Seminar: A seminar is an interactive class that uses discussion-based learning activities and is typically longer than a tutorial.
Single sign-on (SSO) / OKTA: A system that allows you to access multiple University services using one username and password.
Specialisation: A group of related courses within a postgraduate degree that provides a focused area of study. Some programs allow one or more specialisations, while others may not include this option.
Statutory declaration: A statutory declaration is a signed, written statement that allows a person to declare something to be true in the presence of an authorised witness - usually a Justice of the Peace, a lawyer or a notary public.
Student Card: ID card allowing you to borrow books, access study spaces, verify your identity in exams, receive student discounts, etc.
Student Central: On-campus service points where you can talk to the ASKUON team to get help with student enquiries, access support services, and manage tasks such as ID cards, enrolment, and general administration.
Student contribution: The portion of tuition fees that a domestic student pays for a Commonwealth Supported Place, with the remaining cost covered by the Australian Government.
Student Number: A unique number that identifies you as a student at the University of Newcastle. Your student number remains the same throughout your studies.
Student Services: The support services available to help students succeed at university, including academic, personal, wellbeing, accessibility, financial, health, and career support.
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF): Fee that goes towards the funding of University student services, sport facilities and programs, student clubs, etc.
Study abroad: A program that allows you to study overseas at another university (outbound) or study at the University of Newcastle as an international student (inbound), usually with tuition fees paid to the host institution.
Study load: The number of units (credit points) you are enrolled in during a semester.

T

Term: Means a specified teaching period, for example, Semester or Trimester
Testamur: Your official graduation certificate confirming you have completed your course.
Transcript: A complete record of your studies at the University. It includes all units of study (attempted and completed) and your grade for each.
Transfer: Changing programs either within the University or from another institution to the University of Newcastle. This could involve an internal transfer application or a your next move application for select undergraduate programs for current University of Newcastle Students or placing a new application in other circumstances
Transport: Services and information that help students travel to, from, and around University campuses, including buses, trains, shuttles, cycling, walking, and parking.
Trimester: A trimester, also referred to as a 'term' is a teaching period of 12 weeks. There are three trimesters per year.
Tuition costs/fees: You will need to pay tuition fees for each unit you undertake. The amount you pay will depend on your course, units, whether you are a domestic or international student, and whether you receive government assistance.
Turnitin: The online program where you will submit your assignments electronically, accessed via Canvas. Turnitin's software uses text-matching to help you reference correctly and avoid academic misconduct.
Tutorial / 'Tute': A tutorial, or 'tute', is a smaller, less formal learning setting. Students are guided by a tutor, and can ask questions and have group discussions.
Tutor: A tutor runs the course's tutorials, seminars and workshops in a smaller classroom setting. Your tutor may also deliver the lectures.

U

UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test): A computer-based admissions test used to assess skills and attributes important for studying medicine and dentistry. It is used by many Australian universities as part of their selection process.
Undergraduate: A course leading to a diploma, bachelor's or honours degree, or a student studying at this level.
Unique Student Identifier (USI): A USI is your individual education number for life. It is issued by the Australian Government, and is a combination of ten numbers and letters that is unique to each student.
Universities Admissions Centre (UAC): The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) processes applications for admission to most undergraduate courses at participating institutions (NSW and the ACT).
Units: This is the weighting of the course. Most courses are 10 units. Some other universities may refer to units as credit points.
University Medal: An award presented at graduation to students who have achieved outstanding academic results across their entire degree. Typically, only a small number of students receive a University Medal each year.
UNSA (University of Newcastle Student Association): The student representative body that supports and advocates for students, and provides services, activities and events across the University.

V

Verification of Award (VOA) letter: An official document that confirms you have completed your degree and been awarded your qualification.
Verification of Enrolment (VOE) letter: An official document that confirms your current enrolment at the University, including your program and study load.
Vaccination Record Card: Any student who needs to enter a public health facility for a placement, research, or any other purpose is required to maintain a vaccination card as proof of the currency of their vaccinations.
Vice-Chancellor (VC): The Chief Executive Officer and senior leader of the University, responsible for its overall management, strategy, and operations.
Viva (Oral Examination): A short oral examination where you may be asked to explain or discuss your assessment work to verify your understanding and confirm authorship.

W

What is a Verification of Grade Point Average (GPA) letter: An official document confirming your completed qualification, completion date, and the Grade Point Average (GPA) you achieved at the University.
Weighted Average Mark (WAM): Your weighted average mark (WAM) is one way of measuring your academic performance. It is the average mark you've achieved across all completed units in your award course, weighted according to the credit point value and academic level of each unit of study.
Welcome Week (Orientation): Welcome Week is the pinnacle event of the University's Orientation program, offering a vibrant mix of social activities and academic sessions to new and current students.
Withdrawal (drop course): When you withdraw from an individual course. Any course discontinued before the census date will not appear on your transcript, and you will not incur a fee.
Working with Children Check: A background check required for some courses and placements involving work with children or young people.
Workshop: A hands-on, practical form of tutorial.

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17000: 17triplezero is the University's IT Service Portal that can be contacted about any IT questions on campus. Phone (02) 4921 7000 or search '17000' on the uni website.