Glossary of uni terms
Starting university comes with a lot of new terms and processes. Our glossary is here to make things simple. It explains key words and phrases you’ll see throughout your La Trobe experience. Use this guide to understand what expressions mean and how they apply to you.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Absent without official leave (AWOL) Your course status when you're not enrolled in any subjects for a compulsory study period and have not formally applied for a Leave of Absence or withdrawn from your course. If you are AWOL, your enrolment will lapse and you won't be a current student. You will need to reapply if you want to continue studying. Academic integrity Being honest, fair and responsible in your academic work. This means following the rules of scholarship, acknowledging sources, using information correctly and acting ethically in all of your studies. Academic misconduct Any behaviour intended to gain an unfair academic advantage. This includes plagiarism, collusion, cheating and breaking any rules relating to an exam or assessment. These actions break the University’s academic integrity standards, even if the advantage doesn’t actually happen. Academic progress The way you and La Trobe work together to make sure you can manage your studies and successfully complete your course. We check your results a few times a year and may contact you with steps to help you get back on track if needed. Academic Transcript An official record of all your studies at La Trobe. You can use it as proof of enrolment. It lists every subject you have taken, your marks and grades and any credit you received. Accessibility The team at La Trobe that provides support for students who identify as neurodiverse (including Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic and other neurotypes), who have a mental health condition, ongoing medical condition or disability or who have carer responsibilities. They can help you manage your studies with a tailored Learning Access Plan that includes reasonable adjustments. ASK La Trobe Your first point of contact for support as a La Trobe student. ASK La Trobe can help with tasks like accepting your offer, enrolling, fees, exams, results and more. They can also connect you with other services when needed. Assessment Adjustments You can apply for an Adjustment when short-term, adverse circumstances affect your performance in assessment tasks. There are three types of Assessment Adjustments: short extensions of time, special consideration or a replacement exam date. Bursary A type of financial support that does not need to be repaid. Bursaries are usually awarded based on financial need or personal circumstances. CareerHub La Trobe’s online platform where you can find jobs and opportunities, access career resources, book career advice appointments and register for employability workshops and events. You can also use CareerHub to find, complete and submit experiences that go towards the Career Ready Advantage Award. Career Ready Advantage A La Trobe program that helps you build skills, experience and networks for your career alongside your degree. It includes professional learning, practical experiences, career advice and networking opportunities. You can showcase your achievements by submitting them for Career Ready Advantage Awards, which appear on your Academic Transcript. Census date The last day you can withdraw from a subject without paying for it. After this date, you can withdraw from a subject until the 'Last withdrawal without fail date', but you will still be financially liable. Each study period has a different Census date. Class requirements The specific activities or sessions you must attend or complete as part of a subject, such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, labs or online modules. Some subjects have mandatory attendance or participation requirements, and failing to meet them may affect your grades or ability to pass the subject. You can find class requirements in the subject details in the Handbook. Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) A place at an Australian university or approved higher education provider where the Australian Government pays part of your fees which you don't repay. The remaining fee you pay is known as your student contribution, which you can apply to defer using HECS-HELP (if eligible). Co-requisite A subject you need to study at the same time as another subject/s. Core subject A compulsory subject in your course structure. A core subject must be completed to meet the requirements of your degree. Course coordinator The academic staff member responsible for the overall management of your course. They oversee course design, delivery and quality, lead the teaching team and ensure academic standards are met. They are who you contact for questions about your course and they provide approvals in some circumstances. Course structure The way your course is organised. You can view your course structure in the Handbook to see the subjects you need to complete, how many credit points each is worth and the order you should study them in. Course transfer When a continuing student applies to move from one La Trobe coursework degree to another, or to a different La Trobe campus. Check the Course Transfer webpage for eligibility, deadlines and application steps. Credit for previous study Credit is awarded for previous study or relevant work experience and counts toward your current degree, reducing the number of subjects you need to complete. On your study plan, this appears as credit and exemptions. Also known as advanced standing or recognition of prior learning. Credit points A measure of the value of a subject and how much it counts toward your degree. At La Trobe, most subjects are 15 credit points, and a full-time study load is 120 credit points per year (usually eight subjects). Credit points help track your progress towards completing your course. Defer When you delay starting your course to a later study period or year. You can usually defer your offer for up to one year (if eligible) by applying before you start your studies. If you’ve already started and it’s past the first Census date, you’ll need to apply for a Leave of Absence instead. Delivery mode The way your subject or course is taught. Common delivery modes include on campus (in person), online or blended (a mix of online and on-campus learning). Check your subject details in the Handbook to confirm the delivery mode. Elective A subject you choose instead of one that is compulsory for your course. Electives let you explore new areas or deepen knowledge in your field. Check your course structure to see how many you can take. Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) An online form you must complete to access government loans like HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP or OS-HELP and to accept your Commonwealth Supported Place (if eligible). You must submit it before your first subject Census date to receive Commonwealth support. Enrolment Officially registering for subjects in StudentOnLine for a study period. You must enrol each semester or term to keep your place in your course. A full-time load is usually four subjects (60 credit points) per semester or two subjects (30 credit points) per term. Enrolment assistance form This form is used when you can’t enrol in a subject yourself. There are two types: a Variation Request – Exceptions (VRE) for issues like prerequisites or incompatible subjects, and a Variation Request – Structure Amendment (VRSA) for changes to your study plan, such as adding or replacing subjects. Check the Change Enrolment webpage to see which form you need. Also called a variation request. Enrolment quota The maximum number of students allowed to enrol in a subject. Once reached, no further enrolments are permitted unless places open up. Quotas are based on factors like classroom size, resources, or teaching capacity and are shown in the Handbook or StudentOnLine. If the subject is full, you may need to join a waitlist, choose a different instance or subject, or contact your subject coordinator. Enrolment rules Conditions you must meet to enrol in a subject, such as prerequisites (subjects you must complete first), corequisites (subjects you take at the same time), incompatible subjects (subjects that are similar or the same in content or learning outcomes) or other requirements. Check these rules in the Handbook under each subject’s 'Requisite Rules' section. Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL) A measure of your study load. One EFTSL equals a full-time year (120 credit points). Most subjects are 15 credit points, so eight subjects usually make up one EFTSL. It’s used to determine full-time status for things like visas or Centrelink entitlements. FEE-HELP A government loan for eligible students to pay tuition fees for full-fee places. You repay it through the tax system once your income reaches the threshold. You must apply before your first Census date. Final assessment period The scheduled time at the end of each study period when your final assessments take place, including exams. Full-time Usually 120 credit points per year – 60 per semester (four subjects) or 30 per term (two subjects). Full-time enrolment is generally required for international student visas and Centrelink entitlements. HECS-HELP A government loan to cover your student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). You repay it through the tax system once your income reaches the repayment threshold. Hurdle requirement A compulsory assessment you must pass to complete a subject. If you don’t meet the hurdle requirement, you can't pass the subject. Inherent requirement Core skills, abilities or attributes needed to complete a course and meet professional standards. They ensure safe, competent practice in fields like nursing, teaching or allied health. They are mandatory, though reasonable adjustments may be available for students with a disability. Instance A specific offering of a subject in a particular study period and location. For example, the same subject might run in a semester on campus and in a term online – each is a different instance. Last date to enrol The final day you can add subjects to your enrolment for a study period. After this date, you can't enrol in new subjects without special approval. Check this deadline on the Census dates webpage. La Trobe Student Association (LTSA) One of two student organisations funded by SSAF at La Trobe. LTSA supports student life through events, advocacy and services at Bendigo, City, Mildura, Shepparton and Albury-Wodonga campuses. La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) One of two student organisations funded by SSAF at La Trobe. LTSU is the student representative body at the Bundoora campus, advocating for student interests, building community and providing support and services. Learning Management System (LMS) The online platform for accessing learning materials, submitting assignments and participating in subject activities. At La Trobe, the LMS is Moodle, accessed with your student username and password. Leave of Absence (LoA) A formal break from your course that lets you pause your enrolment for up to 12 months without losing your place. Check how this affects your study plan and course completion time before applying. Major A set of subjects (usually 120 credit points) focusing on a specific area of study within your course. Choosing a major lets you specialise in a discipline, and some courses allow two majors. Minor A smaller set of subjects (usually 60 credit points) within your degree that focuses on a secondary area of study. Choosing a minor broadens your knowledge alongside your major. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) An extra layer of security for your La Trobe account that verifies your identity using two or more methods, such as a password and a code sent to your phone. MFA helps protect your account and must be set up to access La Trobe systems. Must complete by date The deadline for finishing all course requirements. It’s calculated by doubling the full-time duration of your course and adding one year. My eQuals A secure online platform for accessing and sharing verified digital copies of your academic transcript, testamur and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS). MyLaTrobe Your digital hub for student news, events, wellbeing resources, study tips and more. You can follow MyLaTrobe on Instagram or Facebook, or read the weekly newsletter sent to your student email. Nested course A course within a larger course structure. You can start with a shorter qualification, like a diploma or graduate certificate, and progress to a higher-level course without repeating subjects. Completed subjects count towards the larger course. Offer An official invitation from the University to study a course. It confirms you’ve met the entry requirements and have a place. You need to accept your offer before you can enrol in subjects. Orientation Activities and events usually held the week before classes start to help new students settle into university life. Orientation includes campus tours, information sessions, social events and more to help you connect with your course, staff and other students. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Compulsory health insurance for international students in Australia. OSHC is a visa requirement and helps cover basic medical costs. You must maintain valid OSHC for your entire time in Australia. Plagiarism Academic misconduct that occurs when you use someone else’s words, ideas or findings without proper acknowledgement. This includes copying, paraphrasing without citation or submitting work that isn’t entirely your own. Self-plagiarism happens when you reuse your own previous work without permission or proper referencing. Prerequisite A subject or requirement you must complete before enrolling in another subject or course. It ensures you have the knowledge or skills needed to succeed in the next subject. Proxy Someone officially allowed to act on your behalf. In a university setting, this is usually a person who can represent you or make enquiries when you can’t do so yourself. Reading list A collection of recommended or required readings for your subject, such as textbooks, journal articles and book chapters. Provided by your teaching team, it’s available through the Library Reading List tool in the LMS or linked from your subject page in the Handbook. Requisite A rule that applies to some subjects and is shown in the requisite rules section of the Handbook. Common types include prerequisites (complete before), co-requisites (study at the same time) and incompatibles (can't both be studied). SA-HELP A government loan to help eligible students pay their Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The fee is deferred and added to your HELP debt, which you repay through the tax system once your income reaches the repayment threshold. SA-HELP only covers SSAF, not subject fees. Sanction A penalty or restriction applied when you don’t meet certain university requirements, such as paying fees or completing compulsory modules. Sanctions can block access to results, enrolment or transcripts until you take certain steps to resolve the issue. Scholarship Financial support to help cover study costs. Scholarships are usually awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership, community involvement or personal circumstances. Semester One of the main study periods in the university year. There are two main semesters – Semester 1 and Semester 2 – and each runs for 12 weeks. Summer is also 12 weeks but is optional for most courses. Statement of Account Your bill for university fees, showing enrolled subjects, total fees, payments, payment methods and Census dates. You’ll receive an updated statement by email after enrolment changes, and you can generate one anytime in StudentOnLine. Stream A focus area within your course that develops deeper knowledge in a specific field. Your chosen stream may also act as a pathway to further study and is similar to a major. Student Advocacy Service An independent, free and confidential service that helps students resolve problems and navigate university processes. Funded by SSAF, Student Advocates listen, support and guide you to understand your rights and options. Student email address Your official La Trobe email address for sending and receiving emails. It includes your student ID followed by @students.latrobe.edu.au (e.g. 12345678@students.latrobe.edu.au). Check it regularly, as this is how the University will contact you. It is different to your username. Student ID An eight-digit number (e.g. 12345678) assigned when you start at La Trobe. It’s permanent and used to identify you across university systems. Your Student ID also appears in your username and email address. StudentOnLine The main online portal where you manage your studies. Use StudentOnLine to enrol in subjects, update your details, view fees and statements, check results and more. Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) A compulsory fee that funds services and programs to support your uni experience, such as events, wellbeing programs, clubs and advocacy. Domestic students can pay upfront or defer with a SA-HELP loan, while international students pay SSAF as part of tuition fees. Student username Your login for La Trobe systems like StudentOnLine, LMS, Allocate+ and Office 365. It includes your student ID followed by @students.ltu.edu.au (e.g. 12345678@students.ltu.edu.au). It might look like an email address but can’t be used to send or receive emails. It is different to your student email address. Study hub A dedicated off-campus space where you can study and access support. Hubs offer quiet areas, free Wi-Fi, IT facilities, academic help and networking opportunities. La Trobe partners with hubs nationwide to make them free for our students, including Northern Study Hub (NSH), Country Universities Centre (CUC) and Regional University Study Hubs (RUSH). Study period The set timeframe when your subjects are delivered. La Trobe has two main types: semesters (12 weeks) and terms (6 weeks). Also called a teaching period. Study plan A structured outline of the subjects you’ll complete during your degree, showing the order and combination of core subjects, electives and any majors or specialisations. If you’re unsure about your plan, a Student Advisor can help you review and make changes. Study Without Teaching Vacation (SWOTVAC) A break before the final assessment period to help you revise and prepare. Classes usually don’t run during this time, though this can vary by course. Subject code The unique combination of letters and numbers that identifies a subject at La Trobe (e.g. PSYC1001). Subject coordinator The academic staff member responsible for managing a subject. They oversee its design, delivery and teaching team, provide advice on learning outcomes and assessments and ensure subject information is accurate. They can also assist with enrolment issues and approvals. Subject Learning Guide A document that explains everything about your subject, including learning outcomes, assessment details, weekly topics and key resources. It’s available on your subject page in the Learning Management System (LMS) to help you plan ahead. Term A shorter study period used by some courses that lasts 6 weeks, where subjects are taught in an intensive format. Terms are different from semesters (which are 12 weeks) and allow you to complete subjects faster. Each term has its own start and end dates, Census date and exam period. Turnitin A plagiarism detection tool that checks the originality of your work and supports academic integrity. If your subject uses Turnitin, submit assessments through the LMS (not the Turnitin website) to ensure correct processing. It also generates similarity reports to help you learn proper referencing. Unique Student Identifier (USI) A government-issued reference number that creates an online record of your training and qualifications in Australia. All students need a USI to receive your degree, and to access government assistance like a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or HELP loan. It’s unique, lasts for life and is different from your La Trobe student ID. University Handbook La Trobe’s online guide to all courses, subjects, majors and minors. It shows course structures, subject descriptions and requirements. Use the Handbook to plan your study and stay on track to graduate. University holiday A scheduled break when classes and most campus activities and services are closed. Weighted Average Mark (WAM) The average of all your subject marks, weighted by each subject’s credit points. It provides an overall measure of your academic performance across your course. Working rights Rules for international students on a student visa when working in Australia, including limits on hours per fortnight. These conditions are set by the Australian Government – always check your visa details on the Department of Home Affairs website.