Faculty of Arts
Student policies
- Student procedures, rules and policies in the undergraduate handbook.
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UWA undertook a major restructure of its academic programmes in 2004-5, partly to improve flexibility for students and allow the administration of your degrees to become more streamlined.
The main features of the restructure are:
- All units will be 6 points (other than some special exceptions, most of which will be 12 points) and of one semester duration. Unit workloads will be proportional to their points values.
- There will be no difference between second and third year units.
- There will be no set course structures and you may choose how you progress through your degree provided you meet the pre-/co-requisites for the units you enrol in.
From 2004 the Bachelor of Arts consists of 48 points of Level 1 (first year) units and 96 points of Level 2/3 (second and third year) units (144 points total), which must include at least one major sequence. The BA within combined degrees will vary, but will consist of 36 points of Level 1 units and between 60 and 72 points of Level 2/3 units.
Level 1 units are coded 11XX as they are currently. All other units are coded 22XX, except those that have 22XX prerequisites, which are coded 3XX.
- What effect will this restructure have on me?
- How do I make up the right number of points to complete my degree?
- How do I make up the right number of points to complete my major?
- What if I need to take a Special Transition Unit?
- Who do I contact for advice?
What effect will this restructure have on me?
The University cannot cause students to be disadvantaged by changes to their degree structures mid-way through their enrolments. In particular, we cannot require you to complete more points than you would have completed under the degree regulations applying when you first enrolled in your current course. We will be working out ways to make the transition to the new structure as smooth as possible. Please let us know if you are concerned you will be disadvantaged by the restructure.
How do I make up the right number of points to complete my degree?
Many students will find that the number of points they have left to complete is divisible by 6 (eg - 48 points). The transition will be very straightforward if you are in this position: simply enrol in the number of 6-point units required to complete your degree. Don't worry about whether the points you need are at second or third year level because from 2004 there won't be any difference.
If the number of points you have left is not divisible by 6, you should take enough 6-point units to get as close as possible to the points you require. Most students will then find that they have either 2 or 4 points remaining to complete.
If you have 1 or 2 points remaining, you can be deemed to have completed your degree if you wish (though you may choose to take an additional 6-point unit to cover these points if you prefer).
If you have 3, 4 or 5 points remaining you must make up these points. You can choose to take another 6-point unit, however, we will not require you to do this as it would mean completing (and paying student contributions for) more points than you would have needed under the old structure. Instead, you may choose to take a Special Transition Unit for the required points (see below).
Only students who are short 1 or 2 points for their degree and/or major as a direct result of the restructure will be permitted to complete without making up these points.
How do I make up the right number of points to complete my major?
Most major sequences in the BA previously consisted of 12 points at first year level and 32 points at higher levels (16 second year points and 16 third year points).
From 2004, most majors will consist of 12 points at Level One and 36 points at Upper Level. You will not be required to take more than 32 Upper Level points to complete your major under the new structure.
As with your degree overall, if you are short 1 or 2 points you need not complete any more points for your major. If you are short 3, 4 or 5 points you can choose to take another 6-point unit towards your major or choose to take a Special Transition Unit (see below).
Please note that this information does not apply to Psychology majors. Please check with the Arts Student Office for special information relating to how Psychology majors will be affected by the restructure.
What if I need to take a Special Transition Unit?
Special Transition Units will normally consist of an extra essay (of approximately 500-800 words per point required) completed in conjunction with one of the other (6-point) units you are taking. If you think you will need to add a Special Transition Unit to your enrolment, please collect a Special Transition Unit form from the Arts Student Office and see the instructions attached.
Who do I contact for advice?
Please contact the Arts Student Office if you have any queries about how the restructure will affect your enrolment:
Phone: 6488 2091 or 6488 2078
Email: Ask your question at askUWA