Glossary of Postgraduate Terms
Advanced standing
If an institution agrees that your existing skills and knowledge release you from one or more of a course's standard requirements, you are considered to be in a postion of advanced standing.
Formal acknowledgement of what you've learnt previously can lead to decreased course length by means of exemptions.
At Swinburne, advanced standing is usually confirmed via a credit transfer agreement or through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program.
A student's advanced standing status will be indicated in their offer letter. Actual details of exemptions will be determined at the time of enrolment or indicated in your offer letter.
You must bring your original or certified copies of all academic transcripts and detailed syllabus of studies undertaken for verification at the enrolment session. The full amount of credit will only be granted upon provision of such information and evidence that the conditions stated in your offer have been met.
Census date
The final day on which you can add, remove or change units to your semester timetable without financial or academic penalties applying.
Census date is usually set two to three weeks into a semester.
Certified documentation
A certified copy of a document is one verified as true and correct by an issuing body or by a person qualified to witness a statutory declaration (for example a police officer, Justice of the Peace or doctor).
All supporting documentation you supply with an application must be certified.
Keep in mind that photocopies of previously certified documents are not valid.
Coursework
Postgrad coursework programs usually involve student attendance at lectures, classes or seminars and may, depending on the level of qualification, require a minor thesis.
You obtain a coursework qualification by following a set stream of core units and electives.
Compare with: postgrad research.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer usually comes out of a formal arrangement between a VET (vocational education and training) provider such as a TAFE, and a higher education provider such as a university.
Credit transfer recognises an equivalent learning outcome for a diploma or advanced diploma course to a higher education qualification.
Delivery
Basically, education is about receving knowledge and skills. For you to recieve it, someone needs to deliver it, and this is where the term "delivery" comes from.
Delivery methods are the ways in which Swinburne can impart the information that will build these skills and knowledge.
Depending on what qualification you're considering, you might be able to choose from on-campus or off-campus study, distance or online education, block release and several others delivery methods that will help make your uni experience easier.
Exemption
An exemption is a concession allowing a student to bypass one or more units within a course, usually on the basis of studies previously completed.
A student granted exemptions is usually considered to be in a postion of advanced standing.
Exit point
Swinburne's postgraduate courses have flexible exit points to ensure that you gain formal recognition for your studies as you complete each stage of your qualification.
As part of the nested suite structure, many master programs have a Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma built in to the course. That means that if you successfully complete the first four units of your master degree and decide you don't wish to continue (you may need a break from study or may no longer wish to complete the full degree) you can still exit with a Graduate Certificate. You can also exit with a Graduate Diploma if you successfully complete eight units.
FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP is a component of the Federal Government's Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP). Through it, students can loan the money required to pay part or all of their tuition fees.
Students can choose to defer all or part of the cost of the course and can then pay the debt back through the taxation system once their income reaches the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment.
For further information visit the Federal Government’s Going to Uni website.
Full-time
Full-time usually describes a study load comprising three or four units in one semester.
Compare with part-time study.
Graduate Certificate
This entry level postgraduate qualification is often suitable if you have several years of work experience but no formal academic qualification. A Graduate Certificate is a good way to fill gaps in your established skills set or enhance existing knowledge.
It generally comprises four units and takes six months of full-time study or one year part-time to complete. It may allow you to progress to a Graduate Diploma.
Graduate Diploma
A Graduate Diploma comprises eight units and generally takes one year of full-time or two years of part-time study to complete.
To apply successfully, you'll generally need to have completed an undergraduate degree, although not necessarily in your proposed area of study. If you don’t have a degree but have substantial related industry experience you may also be eligible for entry into a Graduate Diploma.
Master (coursework)
A master degree by coursework usually consists of 12 units of study (although, there are some exceptions) and will take one to two years of full-time study, or the part-time equivalent, to complete.
Swinburne uses a nested suite structure, so our master incorporates a Graduate Certificate (four units) and a Graduate Diploma (eight units).
To be accepted into a master program, you will normally need to have completed an undergraduate degree or have substantial industry experience within the field of study.
Master (honours)
After completing a master degree, high-achieving students may consider an additional period of study and graduate with honours. The extra period of study comprises a minumum of four units.
Students generally require a distinction average or higher within their master degree to enter an honours program.
Nested suite
Many postgraduate courses at Swinburne have several stages. After each stage you can exit with a qualification. These are known as a "nested suite" of courses.
The of Master of Business (Marketing), for example, is a 12-unit qualification incorporating three set stages. The successful completion of each stage entitles the student to a qualification - a Graduate Certificate, a Graduate Diploma, and finally the full master.
The structure gives students a chance to assess what level of study they are comfortable at, while knowing they will receive a qualification no matter how many stages they complete.
Offer
An offer is a confirmation that your application has been successful and that we'd like to provide you a place in the course you've applied for. We'll pass on this offer via email.
It will state your program and starting semester, as well as any exemptions you may be eligible for based on information provided in your application.
In order to accept, reject or defer your offer, you will need to follow the instructions outlined in your offer letter. This must be done before you can enrol.
Online study
Online study lets you learn via virtual lectures and e-tutors. While undertaking online study, students can stay in touch with peers and teachers through email and online discussion groups.
Some of Swinburne's postgraduate courses are available entirely online. Others have selected online units.
Some online units may be complemented with on-campus workshops throughout the semester.
Part-time
Part-time usually describes a study load comprising one or two units in one semester.
Compare with full-time study.
Professional recognition
Many of Swinburne's postgraduate qualifications are recognised by professional associations or organisations. This formal acknowledgement is often referred to as "professional recognition".It's usually a good indication that the qualification will be highly regarded within industry.
In some cases, a student of a professionally recognised course may become eligible for membership to a particular industry association upon graduation.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning gives students the chance to demonstrate their advanced standing based on skills and knowledge obtained outside the formal education and training system.
Students can gain recognition for learning undertaken in the workplace (whether paid or voluntary employment), during informal training and even in roles undertaken at social or sporting clubs.
Research
Research qualifications are awarded following the completion of a major thesis, involving original research, under the supervision of a senior academic.
Student undertaking a research program learn independently - there are no lectures or classes.
Compare with: postgraduate coursework.
Single unit of study
If a particular subject grabs your interest, you can enrol in a single unit of study without the obligation of completing a full qualification.
If you decide later on that you would like to do additional units or undertake the complete course, you may receive credit for any single units completed.
Single units are subject to availability and convenor approval.
Suite of programs
A set of qualifications grouped to constitute a single course is often referred to as a "suite of programs".
A nested suite can provide for great flexibility within a postgraduate course, allowing a student multiple exit points.
Summer Term/Winter Term
These six week teaching periods have been designed to give more flexibility, allowing students to study select units outside the standard two semesters.
Postgraduate students are eligible to enrol in a maximum of four units of study during Summer and Winter Term, provided there are no timetable clashes and the student meets all prerequisites.
Keep in mind that if a student fails units they will need to talk to the relevant faculty, as they may not be eligible to undertake Summer Semester.
