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1. Definitions

In these Rules, the following words and expressions have the meanings listed below:

Admission: admission to candidature for an award.

Assumed knowledge: knowledge that it is assumed applicants have and that will assist them to undertake a course successfully, but which is not a requirement for entry.

Note: Bridging units/courses may be recommended for students who do not have the level of knowledge assumed.

Award course: a program of study leading to an accredited higher education award of the University.

This may include undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Course: a program of study leading to an award of the University.

Cross-institutional: relates to a student undertaking study at one institution as part of the course of study at another institution, where both institutions formally recognise the study for purposes of credit.

Cut-off: the minimum entry score acceptable in order to obtain a place in a given course in the relevant semester or year.

Double degree or dual degree: a course of study which, when completed, qualifies the student to receive the two nominated degrees.

Entry score or score: the OP, ATAR, ENTER or TER score or equivalent rank obtained by the student on the basis of completed secondary school study and assigned by the relevant state authority.1

Faculty: the Faculty or Faculties responsible for the course.

Full-time: enrolled for 75% or more (or 0.375 EFTSL [equivalent full-time student load]) of a standard full-time workload for that semester of the course.

Graduate entry: an undergraduate course for which completion of another undergraduate degree is the normal prerequisite.

Joint degree: a course offered jointly by two or more participating institutions.

Non-award course: a program of study leading to an award other than an accredited higher education award.

Minimum eligibility score: the minimum score acceptable for consideration for admission to any undergraduate course of Australian Catholic University.

Offer: formal notification from the University or the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre on behalf of the University offering a place in a nominated course and associated provisos.

Part-time: enrolled for less than 75% (or 0.375 EFTSL [equivalent full-time student load]) of a standard full-time workload for that semester of the course.

Postgraduate: a course for which completion of an undergraduate degree is the normal prerequisite.

Prerequisite: a requirement that must be met by a student in order to be eligible for consideration for admission to the course.

Quota: the number of commencing student places (which may be differentiated as Commonwealth-supported and, where relevant, fee-paying places) available in each course in the relevant admissions cycle.

Rank or selection rank: a numerical score assigned to scale qualifications other than current year 12 studies.

Selection ranks range from 1 to 99, with 99 being the highest. It is possible to have several ranks based on different qualifications. A second order rank may be used to differentiate among applicants when there are more applicants with the same first order ranks than there are places available.

Recommended Studies: a subject or subjects which applicants are recommended to have completed that will assist them to undertake a course successfully, but which is not a requirement for entry.

School: a School or other organisational unit which is responsible for teaching in a discipline and which forms part of a Faculty of Australian Catholic University.

Study period: a defined semester or term, during which a program of teaching and learning is conducted. It includes standard study periods (semester 1 and semester 2, with a duration of approximately 12 weeks’ teaching and learning) and non-standard study periods (Summer A term, Summer B term, Autumn term, Winter term, Spring A term and Spring B term, with shorter duration and normally encompassing intensive teaching and learning).

Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC): the admission authority established in each Australian state/territory to coordinate the admission processes of participating institutions for undergraduate and, in some cases, postgraduate courses.

Undergraduate: a post-secondary course leading to an award of bachelor degree (including a graduate entry bachelor degree), bachelor degree with honours, associate degree, advanced diploma, diploma or associate diploma.


1 OP (Queensland) is assigned by the Queensland Studies Authority; UAI (NSW, ACT) is assigned by the Universities Admissions Centre; ENTER (Victoria) is assigned by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. TER scores in other states are assigned by the respective state authorities.