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Key terminology

There are a number of different terms that are used throughout this web site that you may be unfamiliar with. Some of the most common are listed in the Common Questions section.

  • What does "Academic Record" mean? (back to top)

    The Academic Record is the complete academic history of a student at the University.

  • What does "Academic Transcript" mean? (back to top)

    An Academic Transcript is a printed statement setting out a student’s academic record at the University. There are two forms of Academic Transcripts: External and Internal.

  • What does "Award Course" mean? (back to top)

    An award course is a formally approved program of study that can lead to an academic award granted by the University. The University broadly classifies courses as Undergraduate and Postgraduate (research and coursework).

  • What does "Core unit of study" mean? (back to top)

    A unit of study (UoS) that is compulsory for the course of subject area.

  • What does "Course Rules" mean? (back to top)

    Course rules govern the allowable enrolment of student in a Course – eg, a candidate may not enrol in units of study having a total value of more than 24 credit points per semester. Course rules also govern the requirements for the award of the course – eg, a candidate must have completed a minimum of 144 credit points. Course Rules may be expressed in terms of types of units of study taken, length of study and credit points accumulated.

  • What does "Credit Points" mean? (back to top)

    Credit points are a measure of value indicating the contribution each unit of study provides towards meeting course completion requirements stated as a total credit point value. Each unit of study will have a credit point value assigned to it.

  • What does "Enrolment" mean? (back to top)

    A student enrols in a course by registering through MyUni or with the supervising faculty in the units of study to be taken in the coming year, semester or session.

  • What does "Major" mean? (back to top)

    A Major is a defined program of study, generally comprising specified units of study from later stages of the award course. Students select and transfer between majors by virtue of their selection of units of study. One or more majors may be prescribed in order to satisfy course requirements.

  • What does "MyUni" mean? (back to top)

    MyUni is the University of Sydney Student Portal that connects you to all of the core services and information you need during your studies at the University of Sydney. It brings together different 'channels" of information. A channel is a different compartment within the Portal's pages. For example, there are channels on how to use the ITS Help Desk and information about student computer services, your library services, student scholarships, specialised learning centres, special information channels for international students, casual employment and student accommodation channels. The Portal allows you to personalise settings and to make changes to the layout of channels and to colour themes.

  • What does "Resolutions of the Senate" mean? (back to top)

    The Resolutions of the Senate are the regulations determined by the Senate of The University of Sydney that pertain to award course requirements and other academic or administrative matters. It is important that students familiarise themselves with the Resolutions of the Senate for their particular award course.

  • What does "Semester" mean? (back to top)

    A semester is the academic teaching period of approximately 14 weeks duration.

  • What does "Special Consideration" mean? (back to top)

    Candidates who have medical or other serious problems, which may affect performance in any assessment, may request that they be given special consideration in relation to the determination of their results. They can obtain an official form from the Student Centre. The Student Centre stamps the form and the medical or other documentation. The student gives a copy of the material to the Student Centre staff and takes copies to the relevant disciplines.

  • What does "Student ID Card" mean? (back to top)

    All students who enrol are issued with an identification card. The card includes the student name, SID, the course code, and a library borrower’s bar code. The card identifies the student as eligible to attend classes and must be displayed at formal examinations. It must be presented to secure student concessions and to borrow books from all sections of the University Library.

  • What does "Student Identifier (SID)" mean? (back to top)

    A nine-digit number which uniquely identifies a student at the University

  • What does "Testamur" mean? (back to top)

    A testamur is a certificate of award provided to a graduate usually at a graduation ceremony.

  • What does "Timetable" mean? (back to top)

    Timetable refers to the schedule of lectures, tutorials, laboratories and other academic activities that a student must attend.

  • What does "Unit of study (UoS)" mean? (back to top)

    A unit of study is the smallest stand alone component of a student’s course that is recordable on a student’s academic transcript. Units of study have an integer credit point value, normally in the range of 3–24. Each approved unit is identified by a unique sequence of eight characters, consisting of a four character alphabetical code which usually identifies the Discipline or subject area, and a four character numeric code which identifies the particular unit.

  • What does "Extended major" mean? (back to top)

    An extended major is an alternative to a major and allows students to complete additional senior units of study as part of their major. The requirements for an extended major may differ between degrees and is not an available option in all degrees offered by the Faculty.