How to: Use the Handbook
What is the Handbook?
The online Handbook provides information about the programs, fields of study and subjects on offer at Western Sydney University. You might also see it referred to as the program and subject search.
You can use the Handbook if:
- You're thinking about applying for a program at Western Sydney University
- You're registering in subjects and need to check/choose your subjects
- You want to know who to contact about a program or subject
- You want to find out what the majors and minors are for your program
The information below will give you some basic instructions on how to search the Handbook, as well as an explanation of the content you will find on program, field of study and subject pages.
How to navigate the Handbook
Here's a guide on the parts of the new Handbook.
- Universal Search: Use specific Subject, Program or Major titles or codes in this field to find what you need.
- Programs: Open this menu item to get a list of all of the Undergraduate & Postgraduate Programs that are currently being offered in WSU.
Here's a quick demonstration of what a Program page contains:
- Major and Minors: Open this menu item to get a list of all the Majors, Minors and Concentrations that are currently being offered in WSU.
Here's a quick demonstration on the different ways of finding Majors, Minors or concentrations
- Subject Search: Open this to access the subject search page wherein you can find subjects according to their title, old subject code, level, school or field of study
Here's a quick demonstration of what a Subject page contains:
- Subject Description: Open this menu item to get a list of all the current WSU subjects grouped according to the first 4 letters of their subject code.
- Subject Details: Open this menu item to get an alphabetical listing of all the subjects that are currently being offered in WSU.
- Archives: Open this menu item to access all of WSU past handbooks.
Understanding the Handbook
The information below will help you understand the information on the Handbook pages, and includes definitions of the key terms you will find there.
Program pages
Program pages describe each program and its structure. They also give you the information you need to search for the subjects and fields of study you may need to take.
Every program is made up of subjects, and each subject has a specific number of credit points (cp). Most programs are made up of:
- core subjects that all students must complete
- subjects grouped into fields of study (majors, minors and concentrations)
- electives (free choice subjects)
At Western Sydney University subjects are usually (but not always) worth 10cp. For example, your program might require 240cp to complete the program. In this case, your program could be made up of 24 subjects worth 10cp each.
These 24 subjects may consist of eight core subjects (80cp), plus a major of eight subjects (80cp), plus eight electives (80cp) – making a total of 240cp. Sometimes the core subjects are incorporated into a major (total 160cp). Full time students normally study 80cp per year, so a 240cp program would take three years to complete.
Common terminology used on program pages | |
Term | Information |
Study Mode: | Full time study means that you normally enrol in 40cp each teaching session. You must enrol in a minimum of 30cp each teaching session to maintain a full-time status. Part time study means that you enrol in less than 30cp each teaching session. |
Director of Academic Program/Academic Program Advisor | The Director of Academic Program provides academic leadership and direction for a program and can help with academic enquiries. Academic Program Advisors assist the Director of Academic Program including providing academic advice to students. |
Mode: Internal/Composite/ Online | Internal mode usually requires face to face attendance on campus or occasionally at an off-campus location. |
Award | The qualification you receive after you have completed all the requirements of your program. |
Exit Awards | The award you receive if you exit a program at an approved early exit point. For example, if you enrol in a Graduate Diploma, you could leave the program after completing the requirements for a Graduate Certificate. In this case, you would be awarded a Graduate Certificate as an Exit Award from a Graduate Diploma. |
Recommended Sequence | The recommended subjects to enrol in for each teaching session. You are strongly urged to follow it. As not every subject is offered in every teaching session, enrolling out of sequence may extend the time it takes to complete your program. |
Electives | Non-compulsory subjects that you may choose to study as part of your program. |
Field of Study | A group of subjects that make up a major, minor or concentration in your program. |
Testamur Majors | An area of focus in your program which will be included on your Testamur at graduation. |
Majors | An area of focus in your program. A major comprises 80 credit points. |
Minors | An area of focus in your undergraduate program. A minor consists of 40 credit points. |
Concentrations | A minor undertaken within a specified major. |
Field of Study Pages
Subjects are often grouped into fields of study. Field of study is a term applied to:
- majors
- minors
- concentrations
On field of study pages you will find an Overview tab including a brief description of the field of study, a Structure and or Sequence tab showing the required subjects, and a related programs tab.
Common terminology used on specialisation pages | |
Term | Information |
Availability | This section tells you if the field of study is available to students in other programs. |
Location: campus | Unless your program requires you to study across more than one campus, you must enrol in fields of study that are offered on your home campus. |
Mode: | Internal mode usually requires face to face attendance on campus or occasionally at an off-campus location. |
Advisor | An advisor who can help with academic enquiries about the field of study. |
Related programs | Any program that includes the field of study as a core subject. |
More information about enrolling in fields of study is on the Fields of Study (specialisation) page.
Subject Pages
Subject pages provide a brief description about each subject, a link to the timetable under each teaching session’s details, and the following information.
Common terminology used on subject pages | |
Term | Information |
Credit points | Each subject is worth a specific number of credit points. Subjects are usually worth 10cp, but this is not always the case. |
Coordinator | The subject coordinator can provide academic advice about the subject. |
School | The School which has overall responsibility for teaching the subject |
Student Contribution Band | The portion of study costs that Commonwealth Supported students must pay. For more information see the Fees page. |
Level | An indication of the level of learning required. For example, a Level 1 subject is an introductory subject for a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate), while a Level 3 subject is an advanced undergraduate subject. In undergraduate programs students must complete 60cp at level 3 or above. |
Assumed Knowledge | Prior knowledge that a student would be expected to have to successfully undertake the subject. |
Equivalent subjects | Subjects considered to be equivalent to another particular subject. If you have successfully completed one of the equivalent subjects listed, you will need to choose a different subject. You may be eligible for Advanced Standing for the subject you have completed. |
Incompatible subjects | A subject which cannot be studied with another subject in the same program. If you have successfully completed an incompatible subject, you will need to choose another subject. An incompatible subject will not count towards your required credit points. |
Corequisite | A subject which must be undertaken before or at the same time as another subject. |
Prerequisite | A subject that you must successfully complete before you may enrol in a particular subject. |
Special Requirements | Some programs have special requirements you must meet before you can enrol in a subject (e.g. a First Aid Certificate). More information is available on the special requirements page. |
Learning Outcomes | A description of observable and measurable behaviours that students will be able to demonstrate, following successful completion of the subject |
Subject Content | An overview of the major topics to be covered by the subject |
Assessment | The types of assessment, their length and the percentage of the total marks for the subject |
Prescribed Text | Any prescribed textbook or readings that students are expected to purchase |
Teaching periods, e.g: 1H/ 2H/ | The teaching session, location and teaching mode for the subject. There are a number of teaching sessions during the calendar year, such as Autumn, Spring, 1H and 2H. Most undergraduate programs are offered in Spring and Autumn sessions. |
Teaching Mode: Day/Evening/Weekend/ | Day classes are normally on campus, starting before 6.00pm. Evening classes are normally on campus, starting after 6.00pm. Weekend classes are held on campus on Saturdays and Sundays. External mode which does not require on-campus attendance unless for an end of session examination, or involves some mandatory attendance at a location other than a Western Sydney University campus, e.g. a hospital or conference centre. Subject materials and support services are available via web-based technologies. Online mode means there is no compulsory on-campus attendance required, apart from end-of-session exams for some subjects [there can be non-compulsory attendance associated with an external subject]. All learning materials, activities and support are available via web-based technologies. Composite mode is a form of study which includes some mandatory attendance at a Western Sydney University campus. All learning materials and support services are available via web-based technologies. |
Subject contact | The subject contact can provide academic advice for the location specified |
Related Structures Tab | Programs and fields of study which include the subject. |
Unit Outlines from the legacy Handbook website. Unit Outlines for sessions from 2017 to 2021 can be accessed via the Unit Outlines Archive link on the left-hand menu.
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