Western way of learning

The University monitors the academic progression of all students to ensure you pass enough units to progress to graduation. Progression identifies poor academic performance while also giving you an opportunity to address your performance and seek counselling advice.

Students who do not meet the University’s academic progression requirements may be excluded from study. Being excluded means that you cannot study at this University for a period of time because your academic progress has not been satisfactory. It is reported to Immigration as a breach of student visa conditions and can result in visa cancellation.

• Academic Progression
• International Student Intervention Strategy
• Completion Within Allowable Time Period - Student Visa Holders
• Completion Within Allowable Time Period - Local and Temporary Resident Students
• International Student Transfer Procedures

You will be expected to participate in class discussions and to question your lecturers and tutors if you do not understand what is being taught and discussed. In Australia it is not considered bad manners to express views that are different from those expressed by your teacher. In fact, you will be encouraged to do so.

You will be required to study a full load of subjects per teaching session.

Generally, study is undertaken on a university campus involving a combination of lectures and tutorials. You will be required to attend many hours of classes each week or you may be penalised if you do not comply. You will also be expected to spend a substantial amount of unstructured time on individual reading and research outside of class.

Assessment methods vary from program to program. To pass most subjects you will be required to complete a number of assessment tasks or assignments during each session (semester). These may include essays, research papers, oral presentations, fieldwork, laboratory practicals, mid term and final exams. At the beginning of each teaching session you will be given an outline of these tasks and assignments, including the deadlines (final dates) for completion. If you fail to meet these deadlines you may be penalised even though you have completed your work.

Students will be advised of the particular method(s) to be used at the commencement of their program. Refer to the Assessment Policy for further information about assessment methods and practices.

Attendance at class and submission of required work is also a condition of your student visa. The University is required to report poor attendance and poor academic performance of student visa holders to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). Refer to the Assessment Policy for further information.

Leave of absence from study will only be granted in compassionate or compelling circumstances that prevent you from attending classes. If you are granted a leave of absence your student visa may be impacted and you may need to apply for a new student visa to remain in Australia to complete your course.

Refer to the International Student Intervention Strategy for further information.

You will be required to study a full load of subjects normally four or more subjects per teaching session (in some instances a minimum of three subjects can be studied and still regarded as full time). Generally, your study will be undertaken on a Western Sydney University campus involving a combination of lectures and tutorials for a majority of the program.

This term normally refers to a study load of two subjects per teaching session. International students, if studying in Australia, are unable to study on a part-time basis due to Australian student visa regulations. However, if you are undertaking a program by distance education and studying in your home country, you are permitted to study part- time as you are not restricted by Australian student visa regulations.

This generally means that the majority of the program is undertaken off- campus. However, you will be required to attend compulsory residential workshops at a campus during each teaching session, therefore you must study in Australia.

This normally means that the entire program is undertaken off-campus with no requirement to attend workshops, lectures or tutorials (students still have the option to attend workshops, lectures or tutorials if available).

This normally means you study a Western Sydney University program in your home country. Study is conducted by mail, email and/or the Internet with program materials supplied by these methods. Please note, even if you are studying in your home country, you must still meet the University's English language requirements to study by this method .

The University offers a number of programs in a variety of countries overseas which involve attendance at lectures and tutorials. For more information, please see Offshore Programs.

For students who are interested in developing their skills and knowledge in specific subject areas, The University offers the opportunity to study two Postgraduate programs consecutively.