Course choice
Course selection varies from faculty to
faculty and from program to program.
Some programs have compulsory (core)
courses only, whereas others may allow a
restricted choice within particular categories.
Still others may offer an extended range
of courses (electives), or you may have to
undertake research projects. Please check
your program’s requirements very carefully.
Postgraduate and Undergraduate study
Study load
A full-time study load is eight units (#8)
per semester. Most courses are worth two
units (#2), which means that you complete
four courses per semester. However, some
courses have higher workloads and may be
worth four (#4) or eight (#8) units (generally
research projects or theses). At the
coursework doctorate level you may even
enrol in a two-semester 16 unit (#16) course
towards the end of your program.
To be eligible for an Australian Student
Visa, international students must complete
their studies within the visa duration. To
ensure that you complete your program
within visa duration, we strongly recommend
that you undertake a load of #8 units each
semester.
COURSE CREDIT
You are not expected to repeat learning
that you have successfully completed at
a similar level and standard elsewhere,
where that work is substantially the same
in content and standard as required for
your UQ program.
This means that you may receive credit for
previous formal studies and recognised
prior (informal) learning for both admission
requirements and courses within a program.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer allows for a number of
units, up to a specified limit, to be granted
towards a UQ award on the basis of either
previous formal or informal learning.
If you have completed studies at
another institution and are considering
applying for credit, please check
http://
creditprecedents.app.uq.edu.au
/. Here
you will find a list of courses that UQ
has previously assessed for credit and
established as precedents, which will help
you determine your own eligibility.
Exemption
While the total number of units required
to satisfy program requirements will not
be reduced, if you have some prior formal
or informal learning you may not have to
complete certain specified courses that
would otherwise be core requirements in the
program list.
Credit for previous study
-
previous-studies-and-recognised-prior-learning
RESEARCHHIGHER
DEGREES (RHD)
In Australia, an RHD is the academic
entry qualification for most academic
and professional research careers.
UQ offers two RHD programs, the Doctor
of Philosophy (PhD) and the Master of
Philosophy (MPhil): see pages 24-26.
COMMENCEMENT
Semester 1 in Australia generally begins in
late February, and Semester 2 in late July
but some programs may start earlier.
As a new international student, you should
arrive at least one week before Orientation
to get over jet lag, attend a
Getting Started
session, and settle in to housing. You will
then get the most benefit from the many
Orientation information and social activities
available.
If you wish to attend the
Jump Start
Academic Preparation Program
(JSAPP) you
should arrive two weeks before Orientation.
PROGRAMOVERVIEW
Undergraduate and postgraduate
coursework programs involve mostly
coursework, including lectures,
laboratories, tutorials, assignments and
examinations.
At postgraduate level, research options are
also available.
Research higher degrees require that at
least two-thirds of the program is supervised
independent research (a thesis), although
some limited coursework may be required.
You are also eligible for a variety of
other opportunities such as exchanges to
international universities and language study
options (see page 28).
PROGRAMS AND
COURSES
At UQ, a degree is called a “program”
and a subject is called a “course”.
Programs are either “coursework”, where
you complete a specific number of courses
to graduate, or “research”, where you
complete a research project to graduate.
Undergraduate coursework programs
include bachelor degrees (including
honours), associate degrees, dual
programs, and concurrent diplomas.
Postgraduate coursework programs
include graduate certificates, graduate
diplomas, coursework masters, and
professional doctorates (see page 21).
Most coursework masters programs
consist of a series of specialist courses
in a structured class or seminar format
in accordance with the Australian
Qualifications Framework (AQF) research
requirements for a Masters Degree
(Coursework). A research component is also
required, however, the research component
is shorter than that required for a research
masters program.
* Please note: the Associate Degree in Business is also a UQ accredited stand-alone qualification.
COURSEWORK PROGRAMS
• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Diploma
• Coursework Masters
• Professional Doctorate
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
QUEENSLAND YEAR 12
(high school equivalent)
HONOURS
(coursework and/or research)
CONCURRENT DIPLOMA
ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN BUSINESS*
(UQ College: pathway program)
OR
UQ FOUNDATION YEAR
(International Education Services)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDIES
STANDARDPATHWAYS TOANDTHROUGHUQ
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
• Bachelor degree
• Dual program
UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
POSTGRADUATE LEVEL
PRE-TERTIARY LEVEL/PATHWAY
International
UQ Guide 2015
15
