You say GPA, I say hey? You say ATAR, I say huh? You say CSP, I say pardon me?
University lingo can be confusing. Here’s a handy guide to help you become fluent in Charles Sturt.
ATAR — Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. Indicates a student’s position relative to all the students who started high school with them in Year 7. It’s one — but not the only — criteria for entry to an undergraduate degree.
Census date — The deadline for all students to finalise subject enrolments for each session. After that date they are financially and academically liable for each subject that remains on their enrolment.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP) — A place at university for domestic students subsidised by the Australian Government. Most undergraduate students are enrolled in a CSP, and can benefit from HECS-HELP.
Core subjects — The subjects in a course that all students are required to complete.
Elective — An optional subject selected in addition to the core subjects of the course.
Faculty — A department within a university devoted to a particular area of study. Charles Sturt has three faculties: Arts and Education, Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, and Science.
Enrolment pattern — The subjects you’ll need to study (and in a suggested order) so you keep on track to graduate.
GPA — A student’s grade point average, calculated from the results in each subject completed.
HELP — Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) refers to the Commonwealth Government’s HELP loan scheme, where eligible students can defer payment of their fees each session via HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.
Lecture — A regular teaching session for a large group of students.
Non-tuition fees — Fees required for items not directly related to course/subject/tuition fees. Examples include: overseas student health cover, student services and amenities fees (SSAF), library fees, campus accommodation fees, campus facilities, late payment and late enrolment fees.
Residential school — A short period of study, usually three to five days, where online students come on campus to complete units or assessment tasks for a subject.
School — A division of the university that administers the courses in a particular area of study.
Session — A period of time during which classes are held.
Subject points — A value assigned to a subject. At Charles Sturt, a standard one-session subject is eight points.
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) — Most Charles Sturt students pay the Student Services and Amenities fee (SSAF). This fee goes towards providing non-academic support services and facilities for all students. It’s a small charge paid for each subject you are enrolled in.
Study mode — This can be either online or on campus, depending on the each subject’s delivery mode in each session.
Tutorial — A regular teaching session for a small group of students, involving participation.
Undergraduate — A student in a university who has not completed a first degree.
