Frequently asked questions - courses and participating institutions

Apply-By-Web Applications Courses and participating institutions Qualifications Offers Technical Common terms and abbreviations

Courses and participating institutions

What is postgraduate study? Which institutions are participating in postgraduate admissions for 2008 through UAC? The course I want to do is not listed on your website or in the UAC 2008 Postgraduate Coursework Booklet? Is there anything else I have to do in addition to submitting an application with UAC? Does the order in which I enter my courses matter?

What is postgraduate study?

The term "postgraduate" encompasses study that leads to an award such as a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (see the Common terms and abbreviations on this website for an explanation of these terms). Post-initial bachelor level courses in teaching are also included in postgraduate admission through UAC.

The prior completion of a relevant undergraduate degree or diploma is usually required for admission to postgraduate study. You may also need professional work experience.

There are two main types of postgraduate study: research and coursework.

Research requires students to undertake supervised research that will lead to a thesis or other piece of written material, within a set period of time. Masters degrees and PhDs can be obtained by research and usually require a bachelor degree at honours level, or equivalent, for admission.

Coursework is composed of units of study, which usually require students to attend lectures and tutorials. Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees can be obtained this way.

Only postgraduate coursework applications will be processed through UAC for 2008 admissions. For research programs you need to contact the relevant institution directly.

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Which institutions are participating in postgraduate admissions for 2008 through UAC?

Nine institutions are offering a number of their postgraduate coursework programs through UAC for 2008 admissions. They are:

Australian National University
La Trobe University
Macquarie University
University of Canberra
University of New England
University of Newcastle
University of Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
University of Western Sydney

Refer to the course search and the updates on this website for new and cancelled courses, and any other updates since the 2008 Postgraduate Coursework Supplement was printed.

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The course I want to do is not listed on your website or in the UAC 2008 Postgraduate Coursework Supplement. Is it still available?

The course may not be offered through UAC for Intakes 4-6 (commencing May–November 2008). Check the course search to make sure. The participating institutions do not offer all their postgraduate coursework courses through UAC. If you want to apply for postgraduate coursework study at an institution not participating through UAC, you will have to contact the institution directly.

Also refer to the course search and the updates on this website for new and cancelled courses, and any other updates since the 2008 Postgraduate Coursework Supplement was printed.

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Is there anything else I have to do in addition to submitting an application with UAC?

Each of the participating institutions has particular admission requirements to make you eligible to be considered for the course. Some institutions may also have special requirements. Check each institution’s entry and the course search for details of any special requirements.

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Does the order in which I enter my courses matter?

Yes - if you are selecting courses at Macquarie University (MQ), University of Canberra (UC), University of New England (UNE), University of Newcastle (UNCLE), University of Sydney (USYD), the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) or the University of Western Sydney (UWS).

No - if you are selecting courses at, the Australian National University (ANU) or La Trobe University (LTU).

MQ, UC, UNE, UNCLE, USYD, UTS and UWS
These institutions use a preference-based offer system. This means that they may make you only one offer (if you are eligible). That offer will be to the highest course that you list, for which you are eligible and competitive enough. Therefore, if you are listing more than one course for MQ, UC, UNE, UNCLE, USYD, UTS or UWS you must list your courses in the order in which you would like to receive an offer.

ANU and LTU
These institutions use a multiple offer system. This means that it may make you more than one offer (if you are eligible). The offer/s will be to the course/s for which you are eligible and competitive enough.

Therefore you do not need to list your courses to these institutions in a preferred order.

The nine institutions will consider your application separately. You can receive offer/s from more than one institution regardless of the order in which you list your courses. Therefore it is not necessary to list your courses in a preferred order on an institution basis.

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