FAQs for new students
What is a bachelor degree?
What is a course?
What is a course outline?
Can I change my enrolment?
How do I withdraw from courses?
How can I take a formal break from study?
What is the difference between a lecture and a tutorial?
Are lectures and tutorials compulsory?
How do I know which tutorial group I am in?
What is a required course?
What is an elective?
How do I know which textbooks I will need?
Where do I get my class timetable?
Where do I get my exam timetable?
How do I contact my lecturer or tutor?
What happens if I fail a course?
What is a bachelor degree?
An undergraduate program, which usually takes three or four years of full-time study to complete.
What is a course?
A subject within a program such as Biological Chemistry or Marketing Theory and Practice, which is normally one semester long. The standard enrolment for a full-time student is four courses per semester. The standard part-time enrolment is two courses per semester.
What is a course outline?
A course outline is a document containing important information about a particular course. Students will receive a hard copy or be informed where they can access one in the first lecture of the course. Course outlines include the following important information: course description, course schedule, learning outcomes, learning/assessment tasks, due dates for assessments, assessment criteria, assessment submission procedures, prescribed texts and recommended readings, grades of assessment, your responsibilities as a student.
Can I change my enrolment?
- You may add new courses to your semester/session via SOLAR until the end of Week 2. Tutorial changes may also be made during this time.
- During Week 3 a course may be added or a tutorial time changed only with the formal approval of the Course Coordinator. A completed Week 3 Course Add/Tutorial Swap Form (available from Student Administration) with the Course Coordinator's signature must be submitted to the Faculty Office or Student Administration by the close of business on the Friday of Week 3.
- No courses may added or tutorial changes made after the end of Week 3.
How do I withdraw from courses?
Please note that the withdrawal dates and processes below do not apply to international students. International students who wish to withdraw from a course must contact the USC International Office as there may be visa and fee compliance requirements.
- Courses can be dropped on SOLAR at any time.
- Withdrawal before the census date has no HECS or tuition fee penalty and there will be no formal record of enrolment.
- Withdrawal after the census date (end of Week 5) will result in a HECS or tuition fee liability.
- Withdrawal after the end of Week 5 and before the end of Week 9 will also result in a WN (withdrawn late) grade.
- Withdrawal after the end of Week 9 but before the end of the semester teaching period will also result in a WF (withdrawn fail) grade.
- Withdrawal after the end of Week 13 will result in a FL (Fail) grade.
How can I take a formal break from study?
Please note that the following process does not apply to international students. International students who are considering formally interrupting their studies must contact the USC International Office as there are visa compliance requirements which must be satisfied.
- If you withdraw from all of your courses before the census date you may apply for Leave of Absence from the University. You are permitted Leave of Absence for up to one academic year if you are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
- You can request Leave of Absence via SOLAR
- If you withdraw from all of your courses after the census date you cannot apply for Leave of Absence as you will have a formal enrolment in the semester.
What is the difference between a lecture and a tutorial?
A lecture occurs when a member of the academic staff presents themes and concepts to students, relating to a particular course. Generally students attend one lecture per course per week.
A tutorial is normally a forum for discussion and consolidation of the themes and concepts introduced in a lecture, and in many cases gives students a chance to practically apply course content
Are lectures and tutorials compulsory?
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is expected. Some courses offer credit for participation and your course outline will specify this. You are strongly urged to attend both lectures and tutorials if you wish to succeed in your course.
How do I know which tutorial group I am in?
Information regarding your tutorial group and location are available through SOLAR and contact details for your tutor are available in your course outline.
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What is a required course?
A required course is one which you must complete successfully in order to complete your program (eg BUS101 is a required course for the Bachelor of Business).
What is an elective?
An elective is a discretionary course of your choice (check program structure for applicable rules).
How do I know which textbooks I will need?
When you attend your first lecture you will receive a course outline which will list the textbooks you need for that course. You can purchase textbooks from the Co-op Bookshop on campus.
Where do I get my class timetable?
Your class timetable is available through SOLAR. Should you need assistance with SOLAR, please contact Student Administration.
Where do I get my exam timetable?
Your exam timetable is available through SOLAR. Should you need assistance with SOLAR, please contact Student Administration.
How do I contact my lecturer or tutor?
Check your course outlines for location and consultation times.
What happens if I fail a course?
There are academic rules that set out standards for satisfactory academic performance. You are strongly encouraged to read these rules as they explain your responsibility with regard to your academic progression. If you require any assistance do not hesitate to contact studentservices@usc.edu.au or studentadministration@usc.edu.au or your faculty administration.
You will be placed on Monitored Enrolment if you:
i) fail a required course for your program for a second time, or
ii) fail more than half of your courses of enrolment in a semester
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