Jargon - Victoria University - A New School of Thought

A

Academic Calendar - Calendar of key dates at the University. There are two academic calendars - one for Higher Education and one for Vocational and Further Education.

Alumni - Alumni are graduates of the University.

Articulation - The process of getting credit for subjects completed through a Vocational Education course when moving from TAFE to university.

Assessment - A piece of work which is graded.

Assessment Criteria - A basis for deciding how marks are awarded for an assessment or subject.

Austudy - Centrelink payment for eligible students.

Census Date - Census date is the date on which Higher Education student enrolment details must be finalised for each semester. Students enrolled in Commonwealth supported units after Census Date will be liable to pay student contribution/tuition fees and incur A HECS-HELP/FEE-HELP debt (if a loan has been requested).

CHESSN - All Commonwealth supported students are allocated A Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN). The CHESSN is a unique ten digit number used by Higher Education providers to communicate with the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) to provide information about Student Learning Entitlement (SLE), HECS-HELP assistance and other forms of Commonwealth assistance for Higher Education. For further info on how to obtain your CHESSN and what information you can access with it, visit Going to Uni - CHESSN and myUniAssist.

Clubs & Societies - Social, cultural or sporting clubs run by students for students.

Counselling - Counselling support can cover a wide range of personal or study-related issues that may be getting in the way of your enjoyment of life or making it difficult for you concentrate on, or get the best out of your studies. To find out more about this free service, visit the Counselling Services page.

Course Co-ordinator - The staff member who oversees a particular course. Direct any course-related queries to this person in the first instance.

Credit Transfer - Credit Transfer may apply if you transfer from one course to another; you may receive exemptions from parts of the new course for unit/s you have already studied so you will not have to repeat units of study unnecessarily. In most cases you will be able to complete your education more quickly. The existence of a credit transfer arrangement between two courses does not mean that students can automatically move from one course into another. You must apply for, and secure a place in a course before application for credit transfer can be made.

D

Dean - The head of a Higher Education Faculty.

Deferment - Victoria University guarantees a one year deferment for all commencing students in Higher Education and TAFE. Whilst this is a guaranteed deferment from the University, all courses will not necessarily be available for commencing students in subsequent years. Should this occur the University will negotiate alternative study options with students.

DEST - Department of Education, Science and Training. This is the Commonwealth Government Department responsible for higher education.

Disability - The university provides a range of services and assistance for students with a disability or ongoing medical condition.

E

EFTSL - Equivalent Full Time Student Load is a measure of the study load for one year for a student undertaking a course on a full-time basis.

Email - Electronic mail is now one of the University's main forms of communication with students and staff. Every student should activate their university-based email address, which is free. Do this by going to http://mail.live.com or visit the Student Email Home Page.

Enrolment Confirmation - A statement of the subjects enrolled in for the semester/ year with their point weightings.

Exam Period - The 3 week period at the end of semester when exams are held.

F

Fee-paying course - A course which requires students to pay the full cost of their course up-front.

G

Graduation - Following successful completion of a courses, students attend graduation ceremony where their degree is conferred upon them.

H

HECS HELP - HECS-HELP is a loan available to eligible students enrolled in Commonwealth supported places. A HECS-HELP loan will cover all or part of the student contribution amount. If you receive a HECS-HELP loan, the Australian Government pays the loan amount directly to your higher education provider on your behalf. A HECS-HELP debt is recorded for you with the Tax Office against your Tax File Number.

Host - A Host is a returning student who volunteers their time for assist with the orientation of first year students.

I

International Student - More than 3600 international students from more than 30 countries study at our onshore campuses, and over 3900 students are taught in countries across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, Korea and Thailand.

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K

L

Leave of Absence - Students may apply to stop studying for a duration without losing their place in their course. Leave of Absence Applications must be approved by an authorised Faculty Officer. Applications will only be considered if students have completed at least one semester of their course and Satisfactory Progress has been determined.

Libraries - Can be found on all campuses. Visit the Library link the Victoria University homepage for information on operating times, locations and other services.

LOTE - Languages Other Than English

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O

Orientation - The process of welcoming new students to the university. At an Orientation Program you will be introduced to your campus, receive an overview of your course, meet teaching staff and your fellow students.

P

Practical session - A class in which practical experiments or exercises are conducted under supervision.

Pre-requisites - Subjects required to enter Higher Education, Vocational Education or Further Education courses.

Q

Quota - The number of places available in a course.

R

Recognition of Prior Learning - Victoria University recognises that students gain knowledge from work and/or life experience as well as study. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) is an assessment process that applies to individuals who may have prior study, or relevant experience, but who do not have access to Credit Transfer arrangements for the chosen course.

S

Sees Magazine - Seed Magazine is published by Victoria University students, for students. Pick up a copy of Seed from your Student Service Centre, cafeteria or Student Lounge.

Student Learning Entitlement - If you are an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or the holder of permanent visa, you will receive A Student Learning Entitlement (SLE), providing you with access to seven years of equivalent full-time study in A Commonwealth supported place. For more information visit Going to Uni.

Student Identification Card - A card with the student's photograph and identification number. Replacements are available at Student Service Centres for a fee.

Swot Vac - The period before exams when there are no classes scheduled, to enable students to prepare for exams.

Special Consideration - Students whose performance at an examination is seriously affected by illness or other special causes can complete a Special Consideration Application form.
Students must contact their Medical Practitioner, external Counsellor, or see a Student Counsellor to to have them complete the relevant section of the application form and discuss support for their application. Application forms must be submitted to the Faculty Office within three working days of the examination.