How are university courses structured?

1. Course components

Australian undergraduate courses are designed to provide a comprehensive education through a combination of core subjects, electives, and, in some cases, majors and minors. Here's a breakdown:

Core subjects
Mandatory units that provide foundational knowledge essential to your chosen degree.

Elective subjects
Optional units allowing you to explore areas of interest beyond your core curriculum.

Majors and minors
Specialisations within your degree. A major is a primary focus area requiring a significant number of subjects, while a minor is a smaller specialisation.

Capstone projects
Many degrees include a final-year project or research component that integrates learning across the degree.

Industry placements
Some courses incorporate work-integrated learning (WIL), such as internships or practical placements, to provide hands-on experience.
2. Course duration and credit points

The duration of undergraduate courses varies depending on the level of qualification and field of study:

  • Bachelor degree: typically 3 to 4 years full-time (or part-time equivalent).
  • Double degrees: Usually 4 to 5 years, combining two study areas.
  • Associate degree: A 2-year qualification that can lead directly to employment or further study.
  • Diploma: Usually 1 to 2 years, often serving as a pathway to a bachelor degree.

University courses in Australia operate on a credit point system, where students must complete a specific number of credit points to graduate. A standard full-time study load is usually 24 credit points per year, but this can vary by institution.

3. Study modes and flexibility

Universities offer a range of study modes to accommodate different student needs:

  • Full-time study: Completing a standard study load (typically four subjects per semester) to finish the degree in the shortest time possible.
  • Part-time study: Taking fewer subjects per semester, allowing for flexibility but extending the degree duration.
  • Online and distance learning: Many universities offer fully online courses or hybrid learning models.
  • Block study: Intensive short-term courses that allow students to focus on one subject at a time.

If you need a flexible study option, check out study options to compare different learning modes.

4. How university assessment works

Assessment in university courses is designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Common assessment types include:

  • Essays and research papers require critical analysis and academic writing skills.
  • Exams, which can be multiple-choice, written, or open-book, depending on the course.
  • Group projects simulate real-world work environments and encourage collaboration and teamwork.
  • Presentations assess students’ ability to communicate their knowledge effectively.
  • Work placements are practical experience assessed through reports and employer feedback.
5. Specialised course structures

Some universities offer alternative course structures tailored to specific industries or professions:

Two-part degrees
Some universities follow a structure where students complete a general bachelor degree (e.g., arts or science) before progressing into a more specialised professional degree (e.g., law, medicine).

Accelerated degrees
Certain universities allow students to complete a standard three-year degree in two years by offering trimesters instead of semesters.

Industry-linked degrees
Work-integrated learning (WIL) is embedded in many programs, providing hands-on experience before graduation.