Policy Glossary
The Glossary is a list of terms and their standard definitions for policies and procedures. Unless separately defined or the context of the document requires otherwise then the following definitions apply to each policy or procedure.
Click on a letter from A to Z below to view glossary items that begin with the selected letter, or use the scroll bar located on the right hand side of this page to browse the entire list.
Refer to 'Advanced standing'. Academic Development Program means a program that allows academic employees to have an extended period of time away from day-to-day work duties to concentrate on research, scholarship, teaching and learning, collaboration and knowledge building. A mechanism to signal a student’s progress in their program of study. The official record of a student's study at the University, including all programs and subjects attempted. Additional factors that can be taken into account in combination with an applicant's academic qualifications to derive their Selection Rank. These factors do not change an applicant's academic results (e.g. ATAR) but can change their Selection Rank for a particular program/s. Previously referred to as 'bonus points'. For more information, visit the Bonus Points (Adjustment Factors) webpage. The process of applying for, being made an offer to, accepting the offer of admission and being admitted to a program at the University. (AAM) means a mark used to demonstrate that the level of academic achievement is sufficient to enter an Honours program, calculated by adding the marks awarded for all completed graded subjects in the preceding degree, divided by the total number of graded subjects studied in the degree, with appropriate weightings for subjects that carry more than ten credit points. The number of places in each program available for admission. Recognition of achieving a portion of the required knowledge, skills and understanding of units in an award program, expressed as an equivalent number of credit points towards that award. Admission to the University based on factors other than formal educational attainment as published on the website. A person who has applied for admission to the University. A progression outcome where a student has been identified as not progressing satisfactorily in their studies. A progression outcome where a student has been identified as not progressing satisfactorily in their studies, however, their Grade Point Average (GPA) has improved since the previous progression check. (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) A number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student's academic position relative to the students completed secondary studies in the same cohort year. An applicant's ATAR, in combination with any eligible adjustment factors, determines their Selection Rank and can be used to assess their eligibility for admission. The qualification granted to a student after completion of all the requirements of a higher education course. means ‘bundling’ together multiple requests for an individual’s consent to a wider range of collections, uses and disclosures of personal information, without giving the individual the opportunity to choose which collections, uses and disclosure they agree to and which they do not, and may not meet the criteria of valid consent (reference Information and Privacy Commission Fact Sheet - Consent and Bundled Consent) Refers to any day of the week, Monday through Sunday, including public holidays and University concessional days. The date at which student load and financial liability is calculated. Census date is the last date for a student to withdraw from a subject without incurring financial penalty. The letter confirming that a student has satisfied the requirements of an award, issued in the period before the award is conferred. An approved sequence of subjects that makes up a further area of specialisation within a Major. Refers to any day designated by the University as a 'concessional day' during which the Univeristy is closed for business. A progression outcome where the number of subjects in which a student may register is limited for a specified period. Conferral means the process of confirming completion; legally admitting a graduand to their award by the University. The University's Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). A mandatory set of subjects to be completed by all students enrolling in the award program. Mandatory subject required for the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills needed to achieve program outcomes. Credit granted based on previous successfully completed formal or informal learning, expressed in the form of Entry Level Credit, Unspecified Credit, Specified Credit, Internal Credit and Transfer Credit. This collective term is used to indicate the inclusion of all types of curricula offered, including all types of courses, units, curiosity pods, and short courses. Is used as general reference only. Specific time periods, such as deadlines and limitations are denoted as either calendar days, working days, concessional days or weekends. An alternative term for 'Award' Cancelled enrolment, cessation of studies in an award program. A student who is: a. an Australian Citizen; b. New Zealand Citizen; c. the holder of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa; or d. the holder of a Humanitarian Visa (Refugee). Early Award means the process by which a student nominates to graduate from an eligible award within a double degree, integrated or nested program, provided they meet the program requirements for this award, while continuing their study in their enrolled program. Early Exit means the process by which a student nominates to graduate from an eligible lower award, provided they meet program requirements for the lower award, rather than continuing their study in their enrolled program. Mechanisms put in place to assist students in identifying their challenges and helping them to improve. A program that aims to prepare students for study at the undergraduate level in higher education and provides students with the pre-requisite knowledge and skills for entry to and success in undergraduate study. (As defined by the National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia). Enrolment in a program and field of study. Students must also register in subjects to complete the enrolment process. (Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Academic Progression) – A progression outcome where a student’s enrolment is cancelled. Students must apply for re-admission to the University through the normal channels. Collective term for the curricular components of an award program (Major, Minor, Concentration). Subject/s supporting students to develop expertise in a particular area of the program they are studying. These subjects extend the learner’s knowledge into a more specific disciplinary domain and field of practice. General Admission Criteria ensure that an applicant meets the University’s minimum age and English Language Proficiency requirements. For international applicants, General Admission Criteria also include any Genuine Student (GS) requirement as specified by the Australian Government. A progression outcome where a student is progressing at a satisfactory rate in their program. (Grade Point Average) An average score of grades achieved based on a 7-point grading scale (or 10-point scale for Foundation Studies programs). Refer to the Graduation Policy. A student who has completed the requirements for an award and has been deemed eligible to graduate, but has not yet had the award conferred. A person who has completed the requirements of a course and has had the award conferred. (Higher Degree Candidate) – A student who is undertaking independent research in either a Doctorate, Master of Philosophy or Research Master’s program. Also known as Higher Degree Research (HDR) Student. Health Information has the same meaning as in Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) (Graduation in absentia) means when a degree is awarded to a student without their presence at a graduation ceremony. healthcare identifiers and individual healthcare identifiers (IHIs) have the same meaning as in the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010 (Cth) An Indonesian citizen who is studying at the University’s campus in Indonesia. Abilities, knowledge, and standards of conduct and performance that are essential for a student to be able to achieve the learning outcomes of a program or subject, and transition to the profession after graduating (see also Fitness to Practice). These may include compulsory standards set by professional, registration, or accreditation bodies. International student studying in Australia (international student) means a student who is not: a. an Australian Citizen; b. a New Zealand Citizen; c. the holder of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa; d. the holder of an Australian Humanitarian Visa (Refugee); e. an Indonesian local student; or f. an international student studying in Indonesia. A student studying at the University's campus in Indonesia who is not an Indonesian citizen. Information Technology An approved sequence of subjects that make up a special focus within a program. The major may or may not form part of the degree title and appear on the student's testamur. Testamur majors are defined sequences of subjects in a focus area, which represents a significant area of study that the University wishes to recognise to highlight the graduate’s area of specialisation. The longest time within which a student must complete all curriculum components to qualify for their enrolled program. An approved sequence of subjects that makes up a shorter area of special focus (than a Major) within a program. A student who is registered in subject(s) in one of the following (and not concurrently registered in a full award program at the University): a. Non-Award undergraduate program; non-award postgraduate program; post census miscellaneous; or b. Cross institutional - studying one or more subjects as part of their award program at a higher education provider other than their home provider. A formal notification from the University or the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) on behalf of the University offering a place in a nominated program and associated provisos. Personal Information has the same meaning as in the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) and is defined in the Privacy Policy. Policy Document means the collective term for the University’s hierarchy of documents held in the Policy DDS including Rules, Codes, Charters, Plans, Policies, Frameworks, Procedures and Schedules. A student enrolled in: a. Graduate Certificate; b. Graduate Diploma; c. Postgraduate Certificate; d. Postgraduate Diploma; or e. Masters (Coursework) Degree. A program of study consisting of at least four subjects or 40 credit points leading to an award of the University (Foundation Studies Program, Undergraduate Preparation Program, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Undergraduate Certificate, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters by Coursework Degree) which when successfully completed is conferred on the graduand by the Board of Trustees. Set as part of the program approval process and ensure that an applicant is academically suitable to study, such as a selection rank or True Rewards rule approved by the delegated authority. These requirements are set consistent with the Australian Qualifications Framework and should eliminate unfair and/or unnecessary barriers for student access to programs. Conditional Enrolment, Suspension or Exclusion. Refers to the number of places in each program available for admission. General term used to describe the University's policy of acknowledging learning in other contexts that can be applied to the knowledge, skills and understanding outcomes of study in award programs. The process by which students select one or more subjects they wish to study each term. The concept of research is broad and includes the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative. Refer to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018. Any information collected, captured or created in digital or non-digital formats to support research projects at Western Sydney University. It includes all hard copy material generated in the course of research, together with all digital material on which research findings, interpretations and/or observations may rely. Research data may comprise any content or take any form, including numbers, symbols, text, images or sounds. Research data may also include information concerning how, when, where and with what methods research data were collected. Material constituting research data is commonly accepted as the evidence that validates research findings. Research Data Management – Activities related to the whole research lifecycle, including planning, designing, creating, processing, capturing, classifying, organising, analysing, accessing, preserving, sharing, publishing, reusing, licencing and disposing of research data A document outlining the research data management to be undertaken throughout any research project. All University staff, adjunct and emeritus staff, candidates and visitors engaged in research. Works such as scholarly books, articles, musical and dramatic works. Research Data and works that are Program Materials are not classified as a Scholarly Work. A numerical score assigned to scale qualifications held by applicants, inclusive of any adjustment factors. Selection Ranks range from 1 to 99.95, with 99.95 being the highest. A student may have several Selection Ranks based on different qualifications sensitive information means a subset of personal information which is given a higher level of protection under privacy laws than other personal information. It is information or an opinion about an individual’s: i. ethnic or racial origin, or ii. political opinions, or iii. religious or philosophical beliefs, or iv. trade union membership or v. sexual activities Student Feedback on Subject survey means the University-approved instrument that gathers student perceptions on their taught subjects. Student Feedback on Teaching survey means the University-approved survey instrument that gathers student perceptions of teaching effectiveness. The process where a student is given the opportunity to appeal an unsatisfactory Progression Outcome prior to the outcome being applied. Requirements that are related to enrolment in programs/subjects where clinical, practical, or work placements are part of a program/subject structure, such as a Working with Children Check or First Aid Certificate. A person who has been admitted to a program or non-award study and has an active registration in subjects. A person who has been admitted to a program or non-award study and has an active registration in subjects. (Learning Abroad) means the study or other academic activity undertaken overseas for a limited time at another institution. Student Learning Abroad Programs at the University include Exchange Learning Abroad, Short-Term Exchange Learning Abroad, Non-Exchange Learning Abroad and Research Learning Abroad 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). A compulsory fee charged to students at the University, the rate of which is based on their study load. The fee is to support student services and amenities related to sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, health and welfare, study skills programs, orientation, childcare, financial advice, overseas student services and food services. Whether a student is active – a current student – or inactive. A student may be inactive for a variety of reasons, including graduating or having their enrolment lapsed. Identifies whether a student is a domestic (Australian) student, International student studying in Australia, Local (Indonesian) student, or International student studying in Indonesia. Student Type informs, amongst other things, tuition fees and chargers and eligibility for Australian Government assistance. The subject of study in a program in which a student enrols. A person who meets the Department Requirements - Migration Regulations 1994 - Schedule 8, as defined by the Department of Home Affairs. A progression outcome where a student’s enrolment at the University is suspended for a specified period of time. The student has an automatic right to re-enrol in their original program, or a program that the University regards as being equivalent, at the end of the Suspension period. (Tertiary Admissions Centre) The admission authority established in each Australian state/territory to coordinate the admission processes of participating institutions for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. tax file number has the same meaning as in Part 2 Division 1 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) A session at the University that runs for a set length of time during which teaching and assessments occur. The official certificate, bearing the University Seal, issued to students when their award is conferred and confirms their completion of a University qualification. The University’s early offer scheme which uses results from high school study to assess an applicant’s academic suitability. The money that students pay to the University for their teaching. A student enrolled in: a. Diploma; b. Associate Degree; c. Bachelor Degree; or d. Bachelor (Honours) Degree. Refers to Western Sydney University, except where explicitly stated otherwise. Refers to any land, water, building, part of any building, tent or movable structure owned, leased or controlled by the University, including campus student accommodation, or venues otherwise temporarily occupied to conduct University business. (As defined in the AQF) The volume of learning is a dimension of the complexity of a qualification. It is used with the level criteria and qualification type descriptor to determine the depth and breadth of the learning outcomes of a qualification. The volume of learning identifies the notional duration of all activities required for the achievement of the learning outcomes specified for a particular AQF qualification type. It is expressed in equivalent full-time years. Dropping or removing a subject registration. (WIL) means a student experience where pedagogical learning within curriculum is undertaken in partnership, in authentic and genuine activities with and for relevant industry, business or community partners. The five categories of WIL are: Storable, shareable research data that is subject to ongoing active development. Any University supplied or approved system for secure, backed-up, collaborative working data storage for research. Refers to normal business days, Monday to Friday, excluding any gazetted public holidays and University declared closures.Return to TopA
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