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Understanding university language
We recognise that sometimes the terminology at university can seem strange to you.
So in consultation with your fellow students and key staff members, we created a reference to help you navigate the terminology you may encounter while enrolling at Macquarie.
Below is a list of common words/phrases and their associated explanation, to help you understand the language we use.
And if you are still unsure, you can always contact Student Connect for assistance.
| Terminology | Similar terms | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
Academic | Unit convenor, lecturer | A teacher or scholar in a university or other institute of higher education. |
Provides an academic overview of the content of units, and how this will help you achieve your goals. | ||
Academic honesty, Code of conduct | A fundamental principle that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. | |
Academic penalty | When there is a grade such as F or FA that will affect your Weighted Average Mark (WAM) | |
For undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students (domestic and international) enrolled in Session 1 and Session 2, the Academic Progression Policy supports you to complete your degree/course. | ||
Academic record | Academic transcript, Official MQ transcript | The official and certified version of your academic record. An academic transcript lists your course, the units you are enrolled in, all units you have attempted, and the grades received. An official transcript is always printed on watermarked University paper. Can be purchased online and a copy is provided with your final documents at Graduation. |
Academic standing | Academic status | Academic Standing indicates your progress academically towards completing your degree. Academic Standing is based on the proportion of credit points you passed in the current study period, together with your Academic Standing at the end of the previous study period. |
Academic record, Official MQ transcript | The official and certified version of your academic record. An academic transcript lists your course, the units you are enrolled in, all units you have attempted, and the grades received. An official transcript is always printed on watermarked University paper. Can be purchased online and a copy is provided with your final documents at Graduation. An unofficial transcript is available in eStudent. | |
Notifying and entering an agreement with the University via the enrolment system that you have agreed to commence the course offered to you. | ||
Accreditation | Recognition from an external party that governs the industry standards (such as Engineers Australia, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)) | |
Admission points | Only applicable to Postgraduate courses. Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience, or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to your desired course at a different admission point than the full duration, resulting in a reduced course length. | |
AFC | Applied Finance Centre, MAF/Post Work Experience Team | Offers Applied Finance courses in Sydney, Melbourne, Beijing |
People who have graduated from MQ | ||
AskMQ allows you to search for common answers to questions or submit a specific enquiry for information relating to the processes and services offered by Macquarie University. | ||
Assessment | Assignment, Quiz, Test, Exam | Student submissions that enable Academics to measure if a student is meeting the learning outcomes of the unit |
| Attendance Modes (from 2022) | Attendance requirement, Attendance time requirement, Unit delivery | The available modes of how the teaching for that unit is being delivered, for example:
Also see "Attendance Requirement" and "Attendance Time Requirement" below for more specific information around Attendance Modes. |
| Attendance Requirement (from 2022) | Attendance type | "In-person" or "Online" attendance.
|
| Attendance Time Requirement (from 2022) | "Scheduled" or "Flexible" attendance.
| |
Award | Degree | The qualification resulting from the satisfactory completion of a specific program of study. |
Bridging courses can be used for learning support to provide a solid foundation for your university studies in mathematics and science. Some bridging courses may be used as a pre-requisite, others will provide you with a refresher prior to commencing your studies. | ||
Student card, Student ID card, ID Card | Your University ID, the only official proof of identity for University purposes, eg. could be required for entry to exams, access to campus facilities and buildings where swipe access is required, library borrowing, printing and photocopying services. Is valid for the period of your enrolment. Transport concession: if requested by transport officers, you will need to show your campus card in conjunction with your tertiary student concession Opal card. Access to discounts (eg. for student concession at cinemas): you will need to show your card. | |
Capstone unit | A final year unit of study in an undergraduate degree program which integrates the material presented across a major or program of study. | |
The census date for a unit is the last date you can withdraw from a unit without incurring academic or financial penalty for that unit. | ||
Class | Units, Subjects, Units of study | The university name for a class or classes is "units". A course is comprised of units of study, each unit is worth a fixed number of credit points. |
Class activity | Learning activities | Depending on your course may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, fieldwork, a laboratory class, small group teaching activities, placements, academic mentorship, projects, and workshops. |
Class Enrolment, Unit enrolment | The process to select and secure your class timetable for the units you have enrolled in that have scheduled attendance times eg. tutorials, seminars, practical classes. | |
The Student Code of Conduct describes your rights and responsibilities as a student. All students are responsible for maintaining a safe, ethical, peaceful, and accepting University environment. | ||
Core zone - elective units | Elective units | Elective units to be chosen from a specified list of units within the Core Zone. |
Core zone - essential units | Core units, Required units, Compulsory units | Compulsory units in the Core Zone. |
Core zone units | Compulsory subjects/units | Units in the course that must be completed successfully to qualify and is made up of Essential units and Elective units |
A corequisite is a unit of study which must be completed prior to or concurrently with another. Prerequisites and corequisites are listed within the MQ handbook. | ||
Course | Degree, Diploma, Program, Course structure | The minimum sequence of required study which would enable you to qualify for an award. |
Program advising, Course progression check | Advice given to ensure the correct units are being completed to qualify for the course. Course advising sessions can booked in via the Faculty Student Centres. (Different from Academic advising which focuses on academic unit content and career goals.) | |
Course Compass | Home-base for Master of Applied Finance/Master of Business Administration students to keep up to date with the latest timetable, announcements, news and events from Macquarie Business School. | |
Changing your course | The MQ process for undergraduate students to change from your current course to a different course at Macquarie University. Specific transfer conditions and criteria will need to be met before this can be permitted. | |
Program finder, Course list | Website that displays the MQ courses offered in the upcoming year. It includes fees, course structure and entry requirement information. For current and previous years courses refer to the MQ Handbook. | |
Credit overload | Request an increase to study more than the standard allowable number of credit points per study period. | |
Credit points | Each unit is worth a specified number of credit points. The credit point value of a unit reflects the approximate amount of work required in the unit. For each credit point in a session-long unit, you should expect to spend about one hour per credit point per week on that unit (including classes and learning activities and independent study). | |
Curriculum | The subjects/units comprising a course of study in a college or university | |
Degree | Course, Program | A degree is the major qualification awarded by a university. It is awarded either for successful work at undergraduate (bachelor degree) or postgraduate (higher degree) level, or as an honorary recognition (honorary degree) of achievement. |
Diploma (course) | Award, Program | A qualification that has learning outcomes that apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work, and as a pathway to further learning. |
Diploma (document) | Testamur, Certificate | Document received at graduation |
eCOE | Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment - applicable to international students on a student visa. A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) is required to maintain a student visa. | |
Elective unit | Units that students can decide to enrol in if they have the appropriate prerequisite | |
Unit enrolment | This is where you select which units you want to study in a particular study period eg. Session 1, Session 2. (Enrolment is generally undertaken online by the student, although some students may need to attend the University to enrol.) | |
Essential unit | Compulsory subject/unit, Required subject/unit | A unit that you must successfully complete to progress in your course. |
Enrolment tool | Online system where you enrol in your units, register for your classes and carry out other important administrative tasks and processes. | |
A formal assessment that is completed within a timed environment to ensure you have met the learning outcomes of the unit. | ||
overseas exchange | Where you can attempt units at an approved overseas partner university and count the credit back to your course at Macquarie University. | |
Faculty | Faculty is an administrative grouping of research, academic and professional staff and students based on the area they teach, support and study. Macquarie University has four Faculties:
| |
Student Services Centre | First point of contact in the faculty for enquiries and course advice. Faculty student centres offer support around program advice, course transfer, academic progression. | |
Financial Penalty | Process if you wish to be considered for one of the following:
| |
Fit to Sit | Macquarie operates under a ‘Fit to Sit’ model, where, in sitting an examination or in-class test, or submitting an assessment, you are declaring you are fit to do so. | |
Flexible zone units | Elective units | Units that students can enrol in if they have the appropriate prerequisite. For the courses with flexible zone units, these units contribute to the overall course credit point requirement. |
Mark | This is the statement of a student's overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of a unit of study. Grades at the University are referred to as a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG). Examples include High Distinction (HD); Distinction (D); Credit (Cr); Pass (P); Fail (F). A Mark is a numerical statement of performance 0-100. | |
Graduand | A person who has completed all the requirements for a degree but has not yet had their degree conferred at a graduation ceremony. | |
Graduate of the University | A person who is the recipient of a degree or diploma, or of such other award or certificate as may be prescribed by the by-laws. | |
A formal ceremony where your degree is conferred. | ||
Relating to undergraduate, graduate, research training and postgraduate study. Online list of MQ courses and their requirements, includes course, major, specialisation and unit information, published annually. Unit information includes unit offering, prerequisite, corequisites and PACE units for the current year. Has links to previous years handbooks with course requirements from earlier years. | ||
Hurdle requirement | A hurdle requirement is an activity for which a minimum level of performance or participation is a condition of passing the unit. Failure to meet the hurdle requirement will result in failure of the unit. | |
IETC, Expect to Complete, ETC | The 'I expect to complete' form (IETC) tells the University that you expect to meet the requirements of your award. You should submit this form (via AskMQ) at the beginning of your final year of study. It ensures your record will be checked once results are released to see if you qualify to graduate. | |
iLearn is the online learning portal where you can access most unit material, eg. lecture notes, quizzes, discussion forums and other online resources from your lecturer/unit convener. This is also the portal where online assessments are conducted. | ||
IT support | Your first point of contact at Macquarie for IT support. | |
Break from studies, Suspension of studies | Leave of absence allows a current domestic student to take a study break for up to 12 months (maximum). | |
Lecture | Where an academic presents to students enrolled in a unit of study - could be in a lecture theatre or online. | |
Major | A structured sequence of undergraduate units (usually eight units) which is approved by the University. | |
This is the statement of a student's overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of a unit of study. A mark is a numerical statement of performance 0-100. The final mark of a unit contributes to WAM for the course. | ||
MGSM | MBA / Post Work Experience Team | Macquarie Graduate School of Management |
Mid-session break | Session recess | Autumn, Spring and Christmas recesses for Session 1, Session 2 and Session 3. Duration is usually 1-2 weeks. |
Minor | A minor is a sequence of undergraduate units drawn from a major or specialisation but with a smaller volume of learning requirement. | |
Misconduct | Breach of Conduct | Usually pertaining to Academic Dishonesty/Academic Integrity |
The College | Macquarie University International College. MUIC offers Macquarie University Diploma, Foundation and Intensive programs to build skills and knowledge so you are ready to enter first or second year of an undergraduate degree. | |
NCCW | Not to Count for Credit With | When one unit is not to count to credit with (NCCW) with another unit, it means you cannot do both units as the unit content is too similar. |
Non-award | Enrolment in a unit of study without being currently enrolled for an award. | |
The Numeracy Centre offers services to improve your access to and completion of numeracy based courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Includes free drop-in service, weekly workshops for some first-year courses, bridging programs and preparatory courses at the beginning of each semester, and some online resources. | ||
One ID | Student ID, Student number, MQ ID | Your unique 8 digit campus wide student identification number. Needed for access to most University IT systems and listed on your Campus Card. |
O-Week, Orientation week | Orientation runs the week before session starts and it’s a series of welcomes, events, workshops and informative activities designed to make sure you're prepared to get a great start with us. | |
Professional And Community Engagement | A unit that provides an opportunity to apply your academic studies to real life through practical experience. Activities undertaken in a PACE unit can include community development projects, field trips and internships, organised with a range of partner organisations in the community, business and government sectors in Australia and overseas. All MQ Bachelor degrees include at least one PACE unit. | |
Peer Assisted Learning, Peer Assisted Study Sessions | Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) and Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are weekly study sessions available for some units. These sessions are run by experienced students to help you understand unit content and facilitate learning. | |
Plagiarism | Using the work or ideas of another person without clear acknowledgement of the source of the work or ideas. Also includes self plagiarism ie submitting the same or substantially the same piece of work for two different tasks, including a previously attempted unit. Even though it is your work, you are required to submit a different assignment for each task. | |
Postgraduate | PG | A category of coursework programs offered by the University. This category comprises of post-Bachelor courses at Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Level 8 and above, including Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Masters degrees (coursework) and Masters degrees (extended). |
Pre-req | A prerequisite is a statement of the required knowledge or condition/s that must be satisfied before enrolment in a particular unit of study is permitted. Prerequisites are listed in unit description in the MQ online handbook, | |
Prerequisite waiver | Special Approval, Waiver request | Request permission to study a unit that you are currently unable to enrol in for one of these reasons:
You must have submitted the request by close of business Friday, Week 1 of the session. |
Professional Authority form | PAF | A form to document evidence of medical related disruptions (physical or psychological). Used within Special Consideration procedure or Withdrawal Without Penalty procedure. |
Program | Course, Diploma, Degree | An unofficial term for course. |
Course adviser | Usually referred to as a course adviser, this is a staff member in the faculty that is well versed in student processes and courses and can provide advice on your progression in the course and on any student process. | |
RPL, Credit, Unit exemptions | A process where eligibility for the award of credit is evaluated through assessment of formal, informal and non-formal learning. This process is grounded in evidence-based academic judgement about equivalence of learning. | |
Reduce study load | RSL | Students on international student visa and studying full degree coursework program, request to study less than the required 100% full time load. |
Self plagiarism | When you submit an assessment or parts of an assessment that you have submitted previously for another unit, including a previously attempted unit. Even though it is your work, you are required to submit a different assignment for each task. | |
Seminar | A conference or other meeting for discussion or training. A form of academic instruction and learning activity within a unit. | |
Waiver request, prerequisite waiver | Request permission to study a unit that you are currently unable to enrol in for one of these reasons: | |
SC grade | Special Circumstance grade was applied to selected study periods in 2020 due to associated impacts from COVID-19. In the selected 2020 study periods it replaced the Fail grade on your transcript for any units you failed. An SC grade indicates that the unit requirements were not met and it will not count for credit towards your degree. | |
Spec Con | If you’ve been affected by unforeseen circumstances and have an assessment due, you can submit an application (including supporting documents) for Special Consideration. Consideration given may include an extension on an assignment, or another opportunity to sit a quiz. | |
Specialisation | Undergraduate courses: A structured set of 12 units which is approved by the University. | |
Student Card | Campus card, Student ID card, ID Card | Usually referred to as Campus Card, it is your University ID, the only official proof of identity for University purposes, eg. could be required for entry to exams, access to campus facilities and buildings where swipe access is required, library borrowing, printing and photocopying services. Is valid for your period of enrolment. Access to discounts (eg. for student concession at cinemas): you will need to show your card. |
Student Help Desk, Student Services | Student Connect is your first point of contact for enquiries about your life at Macquarie. We offer admin services designed to answer a huge range of student enquiries and support many of the processes or services you might need while at Macquarie. Located 18 Wally's Walk. | |
Student number | One ID, Student ID number | Your unique 8-digit student identification number. Required for access to most University IT systems and listed on your campus card. |
SSAF | The Student Services and Amenities Fee provides the University with additional funding to support non-academic student services and facilities. | |
Study load | If you're a domestic student studying full-time in Session 1 or Session 2, you need to enrol in a minimum of three units to maintain your classification as a full-time student. Studying full-time in MUIC requires enrolment of 2 units per term. | |
Study period | Session, Term, Semester | The main teaching periods for a course, usually consists of teaching weeks and an exam period. |
Degree planner, degree structure | The list of essential and elective units you need to successfully complete to qualify for your course/degree. Can be seen in eStudent, My Study Plan or Double Degree Advisor tool. | |
Supplementary examination | If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you could apply for Special Consideration, which may result in a supplementary exam being provided. | |
Suspension of studies | Leave of absence | International students on a student visa who wish to temporarily suspend their studies on grounds of compelling or compassionate circumstances, must apply for a "Suspension of Study" (SoS). |
Teaching census | Census, census date | The last date that you can withdraw from a unit without incurring any academic penalty and financial liability for that unit. |
Timetable | Class schedule, Class Timetable, Exam Timetable | There are different types of timetable you might be looking for:
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Tutorial | Tute | A class with a small group of students who meet with an academic to discuss topics within a unit of study. |
Undergraduate | UG | Often referring to student who has not yet taken a first degree. Also a category of coursework programs offered by the University. This category comprises programs at AQF Levels 5, 6 and 7, including Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Bachelor degrees. |
Unique Student Identifier (USI) | All domestic students need a USI in order to be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or commonwealth financial assistance (eg. HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP). From 1 January 2023, all higher education students (including those who commenced prior to 2021) must have a USI to graduate and receive their award. | |
Unit | class, subject, unit of study | A course is comprised of units of study, each worth a fixed number of credit points. A standard MQ unit of study (10 credit points) equates to approximately 10 hours of study each week, inclusive of class time, online interaction, placement hours and independent study. |
Unit guides provide students with general information on the unit including learning outcomes and assessment tasks, unit schedule and other resources. Published two weeks prior to classes commence, website also includes an archive of unit guides from previous sessions. | ||
Unit offering | Unit availability | Identifies in which part of the academic year a unit is offered eg.
|
Unofficial transcript | Internal transcript | A self service document located in eStudent, an unofficial transcript outlines your enrolment and the marks you have been awarded. It can include other useful information such as course WAM (weighted average mark) and the credit point requirements for your degree. Different to an official transcript, you may need to take an unofficial transcript with you to an advising session. |
Waiver | Special approval, prerequisite waiver | A waiver is given if you receive special approval, because you have not completed the prerequisites and corequisites for a particular unit but have demonstrated sufficient knowledge to successfully complete the unit. You must apply for waivers and if successful, you are permitted to enrol in a unit for which you do not meet the relevant prerequisite. |
Weighted Average Mark | Your course WAM will be the average of the actual marks you achieved in all units of your course and is a mark out of 100. WAM also incorporates all marks, including those from a Fail grade eg. 35, 46 etc. | |
Unit withdrawal | A "W" status is given for a unit of study and indicates you have withdrawn from the unit without academic penalty. A financial penalty will still be applied unless approved for withdrawal without financial penalty. |
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