Frequently Asked Questions
What is non-award study?
Non-award enrolment means that you are studying outside of an award (degree or diploma). As a non-award student, you attend the same classes, and do the same work as degree/diploma students, including the same tests and examinations. When you successfully complete a non-award unit, it can be counted towards the requirements of an award if you enrol in a Macquarie degree or diploma at a later stage.
How do I get into a Macquarie degree through Non-Award study?
If you successfully complete 12 credit points of non-award study with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (a pass average) you are automatically eligible for entry to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, or a Bachelor of Science (BSc), or a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education (BEd[ECE]). The Bachelor of Arts-Psychology and Bachelor of Science-Psychology are available to students who achieve a GPA of 2.5.
You will still need to apply for entry, either through the Universities Admissions Centre (to start your degree at the beginning of the next year) or directly to the University (to start your degree mid-year), but if you meet the conditions set out above, you are guaranteed a place in one of the above degrees.
Please read Part 4 of the Non-Award Handbook 2009 for full information about non-award study as a pathway to a degree or a diploma.
Can I count my Non-award study toward the requirements for a degree?
Yes, you can count the credit points towards the total needed to complete a degree, but your non-award grades cannot be counted towards the degree grade point average (GPA) .
What does it cost?
There is a non-refundable $60 application fee, and students pay up-front tuition fees based on the number of credit points they enrol in each semester. Units (subjects) are generally worth 3 or 4 credit points each, and fees vary according to the Faculty teaching the units. A list of the 2009 fees is available but please remember that the cost shown is per credit point, not per unit.
Is non-award study open to everyone?
It is necessary to be an Australian citizen, or to have permanent resident status to be eligible to enrol as a non-award student. If you don't fall into either of these categories, please contact the Centre for Open Education to discuss possible eligibility.
If you are a student from another university wishing to enrol in a unit to count towards your degree there you should first consider enrolling as a cross-institution student.
Which units (subjects) can I do?
Most units are available to non-award studdents who meet the prerequisites for entry, but there are some popular units in which places offered to non-award students may be very limited. A full list of units offered by the University is available in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Handbooks (the 2009 Handbooks and online information should be available in mid-December 2008).
The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Schedules of Units are also available online at http://www.handbook.mq.edu.au
List of units suitable for students seeking to gain entry to a Macquarie degree through completion of 12 credit points (this list includes information on UAI requirements for entry, as well as when they are taught)
Description of the content of the units listed above, plus the cost of the unit.
Units suitable for general interest study (these are not generally suitable for recent school-leavers seeking entry to a degree).
Non-award study for professional development
How many units can I enrol in?
If you are doing non-award study to gain entry to a degree, you will need to be careful not to undertake too big a workload. We strongly recommend that you enrol in no more than 6 credit points (2 units) per semester. This is a part-time load and will allow you plenty of time to make sure that you give yourself the best chance of getting good grades. Failing a unit, or even getting a conceded pass (PC grade) will make it very difficult to bring your grade point average up to 2.0. Failing two units will mean that your are excluded from any further non-award study in the future.
If you enrol in and pass 6 credit points each semester, as recommended, and gain an overall GPA of 2.0, it will take you one year to complete your non-award study. This is the equivalent of one full-time semester in a degree.
How do I apply?
You will need to complete the 2009 Application form and bring or send it to the Centre for Open Education by 23 January 2009 (for first semester and full-year units) or 12 June (for second semester units). The non-refundable application fee is $60. Late applications will be taken until 6 February (first semester and full-year units) and 17 July (second semester units), with a $200 late fee, also non-refundable.
The $60 application fee will be waived for Macquarie Alumni who provide documentary evidence of having received an award with their Non-award application.
What do I need to provide with my application?
All applicants must provide verified proof of identity (full details of what is required is provided with the application form)
HSC2008 and HSC2007 students must provide verified copies of both their UAI notice and their Board of Studies results for their units.
If you have studied at another tertiary institution you must provide verified copies of your transcript (results).
How will I know if I've been accepted?
If you are eligible for the units you have chosen, the Centre will enrol you in them and send you official confirmation of your enrolment status. You will also be sent a tax invoice for your fees, which will be due on the Friday before classes commence.
When do I have to pay my tuition fees?
First semester fees are due in full by Friday 20 February 2009. Second semester fees are due by Friday 31 July 2009.
There is a $200 late payment fine for fees paid after the due date.
You can find out how to pay your fees at http://www.ofs.mq.edu.au/student_finances/paying_fees.htm