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wsu handbook,Student handbook

Welcome to Western Sydney University’s Handbook

The Western Handbook is your comprehensive guide to all programs, fields of study and subjects offered by Western Sydney University

You can use the Handbook if:

  • You're thinking about applying for a program at Western Sydney University
  • You're registering in subjects and want to check your subjects
  • You want to find out what the majors and minors are for your program

Note that the handbook you require will depend on the year you started your course at Western Sydney University. Refer to the relevant handbook published in the year you commenced your course for the duration of the course.  

Click the link below to go to the current Handbook pages:

2025 Handbook
2026 Handbook
Crimson

Past Year Handbooks

2024 Handbook
2023 Handbook
2023 Handbook PDF
  • Programs, Fields of Study, Handbook Details
2022 Handbook
  • Subject details
2022 Handbook PDF
Handbook Archives

How to use the current handbook

Western uses the term 'Program' to mean the award you are studying (e.g. Bachelor of Business, Graduate Certificate in Education); ‘Field of Study’ to mean a major or minor specialisation and the term 'Subject' to mean the units within your Program and/or Field of Study.  

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.

Crimson

Understanding the Handbook terminology

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/Part time 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: Onsite/Online/Hybrid Onsite mode usually requires face to face attendance on campus or occasionally at an off-campus location.
Online mode means there is no on-campus attendance required, apart from end-of-session exams for some subjects, with all learning materials, activities and support available via web-based technologies.
Hybrid mode means the program is offered online but with some mandatory attendance required, either on-campus or at a location other than a Western Sydney University campus, e.g. a hospital or conference centre.
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.
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.

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.

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.

Subject pages provide a brief description about each subject, a link to the timetable under each teaching session’s details, and the following information.

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.
School The School which has overall responsibility for teaching the subject.
Study 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.
The level of a subject is indicated by the first number in the subject code, e.g. ACCT 1004 is a level 1 subject.
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 toward 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.
Assessment The types of assessment, their length and the percentage of the total marks for the subject. Please note this is a guide only. Please refer to your Subject Outline
Prescribed Text Any prescribed textbook or readings that students are expected to purchase.
Teaching periods (e.g., 1H / 2H / Autumn / Quarter 1 / Quarter 2 / Quarter 3 / Quarter 4 / Spring / Summer A / Summer B / Term 1 / Term 2 / Term 3) 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.