The Australian National University Undergraduate Handbook 1999

The Australian National University consists of its governing body, its staff and its students. As a teaching and research institution, it is divided into two principal, interrelated parts, The Faculties and the Institute of Advanced Studies.

The Faculties comprises six faculties (Arts, Asian Studies, Economics and Commerce, Engineering and Information Technology, Law, and Science) and the Institute of the Arts. Each faculty is concerned with the instruction of students for the degrees of bachelor and master; for intermediate awards; and with research and the supervision of candidates for doctoral degrees.

The Canberra Institute of the Arts amalgamated with the ANU on 1 January 1992, becoming at that time the Institute of the Arts (ITA). The Institute comprises the Canberra School of Art and the Canberra School of Music, as well as the Australian Centre for the Arts and Technology, and is committed to the fostering of excellence in music, the visual arts and the electronic arts. The major part of its activities is located on the ANU campus, with its small second campus being located a short distance away at Manuka.

The Institute of Advanced Studies is concerned with advanced research and the training of students for the degrees of master and Doctor of Philosophy.

Administration

The administration of the University is in the hands of the Vice-Chancellor, who is the chief executive officer.

The Faculties

The principal academic body of The Faculties is the Board of The Faculties, which is responsible to the Council for all academic matters of concern to The Faculties. Under the Board the faculties have immediate control of such academic matters as the introduction, alteration or cessation of courses of study or subjects; the rules for degree courses; syllabuses; academic performance; etc. The members of the faculties are their academic staff, student members of the Faculty Education Committee and certain other persons as prescribed in The Faculties Statute.

Within each faculty, except the Faculties of Asian Studies and Law, there are teaching departments with kindred interests, and the head of each department is responsible for the work of that department.

Each faculty has a dean who is the chief executive officer of the faculty and who can normally act for the faculty in a wide range of matters, and a deputy or associate dean. Each faculty also has one or two sub-deans who are student advisers expert in dealing with the various academic problems with which students are often confronted. Each faculty has a faculty secretary or faculty executive officer and usually an assistant faculty secretary who assist the dean and sub-deans with administrative matters and record the meetings of the faculty and its committees.

Each faculty has a faculty education committee which advises its faculty on courses, course structure, examination procedures and such other nonpersonal matters which have a bearing on the work of its faculty as the faculty or the education committee itself may determine. The membership consists of the dean of the faculty as chair ex officio, equal numbers of staff and students from each department of the faculty, together with such other members, drawn from departments in other faculties, as the faculty may determine.

Departmental committees, comprising members of the staff and students enrolled in units offered by the department advise the head of department and make recommendations to the appropriate faculty on a very broad range of academic matters.

For information about the academic governance of the Institute of the Arts, please consult The Australian National University Institute of the Arts Handbook 1999.

Sources of advice to students

Students should address all inquiries of an official nature to the Director, Student Administration and Support Services. On academic matters they may approach either the dean, a sub-dean, the faculty secretary or faculty executive officer, the head of a department or any member of the teaching staff. The usual approach is to the lecturer or to the head of the department concerned where it is a query about the work in a particular unit of a course; or to the sub-dean or the dean (normally only to the dean on the advice of the sub-dean) on matters which relate to the course as a whole.

The Dean of Students is available for consultation with individual students on any matter of concern to them.

The Vice-Chancellor is normally approached only on vital matters and after the student has stated the problem to the dean and it has been dealt with by the appropriate faculty.

Any student may seek the advice of the University Health Service on health problems. University Counsellors are available to discuss with students their personal difficulties, study methods, problems of adjustment to academic life and to advise them on career opportunities.

Aims

In general the function of a university is the theoretical study of general principles. The faculties are concerned with the pursuit of liberal and general knowledge and their courses are designed to promote in a student a spirit of critical appreciation and impartial inquiry and research. In some faculties the courses offered are designed also to give professional qualifications.

A university course seeks to introduce students to new facts and theories and to encourage them to assess for themselves the importance of the facts and the validity of the theories. Some of the facts may be learned by rote, but the ability to know which to take into account in a particular discussion and the ability to uncover facts which are not given directly by instructors will be required of students if they are to gain the most from their university course.

Students are expected to read and work by themselves and to prepare essays and assignments without assistance. This calls for the maximum of selfreliance on the part of students and a willingness to discuss with instructors those parts of the work which the student does not understand.

In some units students may not be subject to the same regular audits by way of tests as they were at school. Even those students who have the ability and the will to work may not succeed unless they are aware of what is expected of them and learn how to organise their time in relation to their work. Each student should make every effort to learn as much as possible about the University generally, the best methods of study, and in particular about the course for which he or she is enrolled.

The University offers more than study alone; it allows also for a full development of interests. The successful student will be the one who learns how much time to give to study and how much to other pursuits.

As an employer and an educator the University accepts that it has a responsibility to eliminate and ensure the continued absence within its structures and practices of any source of direct or indirect discrimination on the basis of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex, marital status or pregnancy. The Australian National University is committed to the promotion of equal opportunity for all persons including women, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent, members of racial and ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

The academic year

The academic year provides for the teaching of both year-long and semester (half-year) units. It begins with an introductory week — Orientation Week. This is followed by the first teaching period of seven weeks and a vacation of two weeks. A second teaching period of six weeks follows, then three weeks without classes while First Semester examinations are held and then a vacation of two weeks. The third teaching period of nine weeks, a vacation of two weeks and the fourth teaching period of four weeks completes the teaching year. There is a short study vacation before the examinations in annual and Second Semester units begin. The dates for teaching periods and semesters in 1999 and 2000 are set out at the front of this Handbook.

In addition the University offers Summer and Winter Sessions. Summer Session extends from the Monday after annual and second semester examination results are published until the Friday of Orientation Week in the following year. Winter Session commences on 1 April each year and finishes on 30 August. Students should check with the Unit Authority for details of actual class commencement dates.

Students will find the vacation periods provide an excellent opportunity for reviewing the work done during term and for reading more widely. This is especially so in the long vacation when a student is expected to do the preliminary reading for the units which are to be given in the following academic year.

University policies

Confidentiality of personal information

This is a statement of the University’s obligations in relation to the personal information which is held about a student.

Students are entitled to protection of their privacy, as are staff and others who might have dealings with the University, and the University is subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 (C’lth). Privacy considerations apply to a great deal of information the University may hold about students, including factual data (address, age, enrolment status, etc.), academic progress (examination results, evaluation and assessment and academic standing) and personal welfare (family matters, medical matters, financial matters, etc.)

Staff of the University may require access at times to personal information about you in your interests. To the extent that the information is private, the University will restrict access to those staff who may need the information in order to carry out their responsibilities in your personal and/or academic interests as a student of this University.

The University will not disclose personal information about you to other students, to people outside the University (other than in accordance with any legal or academic obligation) or staff who have no need of access to the information, unless you tell us, in writing, that you have given permission.

This means that we do not release any information we hold about you, including your address or your results, even to close relatives without your permission.

There are some exceptions to the general application of this policy which may reflect obligations imposed on us by law or Government regulation or the requirements for normal operation of the University. These include the following:

we inform Centrelink of your enrolment details if you are receiving payments;
we release statistical information to the Department of Employment, Education and Training & Youth Affairs (DEETYA) as noted on your enrolment form;
we tell the Australian Tax Office about your HECS liabilities each semester (you consent to this by signing your Payment Options form);
we may publish your examination results and the award of a prize or scholarship;
if you are an overseas student or permanent resident, we give the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and DEETYA certain information which we are required to release;
if you are in receipt of social security benefits, then we may be asked to provide information to the Department of Social Security;
we may inspect any University equipment or facilities to investigate possible breaches of University policies or abuses of the computer network;
if you are alleged to have committed a criminal offence, we may be requested to assist the police with personal information about you for the enforcement of the criminal law;
if you apply to transfer to another tertiary institution, we may release to that institution or a tertiary admissions centre information about your academic progress at this University, although normally you will have consented to this in your application to the new institution; and
if your readmission to an Affiliated College or Hall of Residence is dependent on your academic results, we may provide your results to the College or Hall.

Determination of assessment methods and issues relating to course content

The consultative process between staff and students on assessment is based on the principle that, while lecturers should explain their assessment proposals and respond to student comments and suggestions, the lecturers in each subject are nevertheless responsible for determining the assessment method. As a general guide, the appropriate avenue for raising questions about assessment methods and course content is with the lecturer in the first instance, the dean of faculty and the departmental committee (or the Faculty Education Committee in non departmental Faculties).

Dispute resolution

The University has procedures for the resolution of disputes in The Faculties in relation to the determination of assessment methods in a subject or unit, course content, teaching practices and other matters. Detailed statements of the procedures are available at Faculty Offices.

Teaching practices and other matters

If a student has concerns about other aspects of a unit which they are undertaking, and which they are unable to resolve with the lecturer, the student may raise them with the Sub-dean, Associate Dean/ Deputy Dean, Dean or Dean of Students who will endeavour to resolve them informally. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome and wishes to invoke the formal complaints mechanism, the student must lodge the complaint, in writing, with the lecturer concerned, with a copy to the Head of Department/ Division in departmental Faculties or, in the case of the Faculties of Asian Studies and Law, to the Dean of the Faculty.

If the student is not satisfied with the lecturer’s consideration of the complaint, the student may require the complaint to be considered by the Dean of the Faculty. A copy of the original complaint, together with any other material which the student considers relevant, is to be provided to the Dean.

Duty of care

All students are reminded of their duty of care towards others. A breach of this duty of care may give rise to liability.

Some students may have a disability or medical condition which places their own safety or welfare, or that of others, at risk during University activities. The University accepts the right of people to privacy. However, such students are advised to consult the Disability Adviser and relevant Faculty staff about the nature of any disability and its impact on their studies.

Freedom of information

The provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, as amended, apply to the University. Inquiries should be addressed to the University Legal Office in the Chancelry.

The Ombudsman and students*

Canberra students can be affected by the decisions and actions of both Commonwealth and ACT government agencies. You can complain to the Ombudsman if you think an agency’s decision was unreasonable, unfair or wrong; or you received misleading advice; or the agency unreasonably delayed making a decision. The Ombudsman investigates complaints informally, in private, and independently of any government agency — and free of charge.

Commonwealth agencies include Centrelink, Education, Taxation, the Australian Federal Police and Austpost, as well as the ANU and the University of Canberra. ACT agencies look after ACT Housing, police, schools, local hospitals, motor vehicle registrations, parking and other fines, and include the Canberra Institute of Technology.

The Ombudsman usually expects complainants to try first to sort out the problem with the agency concerned or to use an alternative review mechanism where one exists; for example, the Student Assistance Review Tribunal in matters concerning AUSTUDY or the formal review procedures of the universities and CIT. If your particular problem cannot be dealt with by the Ombudsman, you will be advised who can help you.

You can phone, call in or write to:

The Commonwealth/ACT Ombudsman
Level 6, Farrell Place
Canberra City ACT 2601

Tel: 02 6276 0111 8.30 am – 4.51 pm
Public counter 8.30 am – 4.30 pm

*This information was supplied by the Ombudsman’s Office.

Policy on sexual harassment

The ANU’s general policy statement on Sexual Harassment states that all students and staff have a right to be free from sexual harassment. Sexual Harassment is defined as being when a person subjects another person to sexual harassment if the person makes an unwelcome sexual advance or an unwelcome request for sexual favours, to the other person or engages in other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances in which the other person reasonably feels offended, humiliated or intimidated. Sexual harassment is unlawful in education and employment under both Commonwealth and ACT legislation.

At the ANU there are various mechanisms for dealing with complaints including Sexual Harassment Contact persons, a Sexual Harassment Phoneline (6249 3595), counsellors, mediation processes and grievance processes. These are overseen by the Council Committee Against Sexual Harassment (CCASH).

WWW addresses for relevant documents are:
Sexual Harassment General Policy Statement
(http://www.anu.edu.au/hr/eo/shgeneralpol.html)

Fieldwork and Sexual Harassment Policy Statement
(http://www.anu.edu/he/eo/shfieldworkpol/html)

The Sexual Harassment Procedures
(http://www.anu.edu/he/eo/sexual-harassment.html)

Students with disabilities

The University recognises that from time to time some students may be affected by long or short term disabilities and that such disability may occur following admission.

In any such case, every effort will be made to adapt the delivery of curriculum, the assessment requirements and the processes of developing academic skills to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Such adaptations to normal course requirements will not compromise the essential nature of the course nor what is deemed to be an essential skill or knowledge.

Where necessary, and insofar as resources reasonably permit, services will be provided or modified to meet the needs of students with disabilities. However, students should be aware that the University is not able to guarantee that these services will be provided. The provision of additional and specialised resources is administered by the Disability Adviser.

All intending students are invited to contact the Disability Adviser (tel: 02 6249 5036) at the earliest opportunity so that any prior arrangements, such as the placement of lectures and tutorials in appropriate or accessible locations, can be made.

Discipline

Upon enrolling, students sign a declaration that they will observe the Statutes and Rules of the University and the directions of the constituted authorities of the University. Students will be expected to observe the terms of this declaration and the University may refuse to admit to lectures for such periods as it thinks fit any student who commits any serious breach of discipline.

Where the Vice-Chancellor is satisfied that a student is in default of an obligation to the University, a certificate in writing to that effect will be issued to the student and a degree shall not be conferred upon a student while this certificate is in force. A student may appeal in writing to the Council against the issue of the certificate, such an appeal to reach the Academic Registrar within six months of the certificate being issued.

Under the Discipline Rules, ‘misconduct’ in relation to a candidate is a reference to conduct on the part of the candidate that:

“(a) is prejudicial to the good order and government of the University; or
(b) unreasonably hinders other persons in the pursuit of their studies in the University or in participation in the life of the University; or
(c) is otherwise reprehensible in a member of the University.”

The Discipline Rules made by Council under the Discipline Statute may be found on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.anu.edu.au/registrar/council/rules/r4.html
(Rule4). A copy of the rules may be obtained from a faculty office or Student Administration.

Non-smoking policy

Students are reminded that smoking in all public areas including classrooms is not permitted.

Care of property

Students are requested to observe care in the use of University property. Any student who damages University furniture, fittings or other property will be required to pay for the repair of the damage.

Lost property

Lost property is held by ANU Security (Facilities and Services Division), which is located in the John Yencken Building on Sullivan’s Creek Road. Lost items may be handed in at any time and collected between 9am and 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. Inquiries: (02) 6249 2251.

Security

ANU Security Officers patrol the University Campus 24 hours per day throughout the year and provide an escort service during the hours of darkness within the campus and to Fenner Hall. The telephone number for Security is 02 6249 2249. Outside normal University business hours Security can be contacted by dialling “999" from University internal telephones.

Traffic control

Roads within the University are public streets for the purpose of the ACT Motor Traffic Ordinance and the ANU Parking and Traffic Statute. All parking on campus is controlled under the provisions of the University Parking and Traffic Statute. This relates to both offstreet parking areas and street parking. All parking and traffic signs are authorised by the designated authority and have the force of law. Permit Parking restrictions apply in most areas of campus. A Parking Permit and Label will be issued to eligible staff and students on completion of a “Parking Permit Application” form and payment of the prescribed fee. These forms are available from Student Administration or the Parking Administration Office, John Yencken Building, Sullivan’s Creek Road.

Parking Infringement Notices are issued for noncompliance with parking control signs. Fines for parking infringements range up to $50 and are payable within 14 days of issuing of the notice. Failure to pay within 14 days will incur an administration fee of $A15. Legal proceedings against offenders who fail to pay fines within the prescribed period are automatic. Please drive with care and consideration, observe the 40 kph speed limit and parking rules at all times. Further information on security and traffic control may be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.anu.edu.au/Facilities.

Access to and Use of University Information Technology Services

The ANU Information Technology Statute, Rules and Orders are the formal documents of the University governing the use of Information Technology services, as approved by the Council of the University. These documents are available on the web at: http://www.anu.edu.au/its/policies/.

Students are asked to note that users are responsible for any loss or damage the University may sustain arising out of the user’s improper use of information technology services.

Disclaimer

The University accepts no responsibility for any damage to or loss of data, or incorrect results, arising from any cause whatsoever, from use of these services or for any consequential loss or damage. The University makes no warranty, express or implied regarding the information technology services offered, or their fitness for any particular purpose.

Access to Information Technology

The University encourages students to have access to a personal computer for the duration of their studies. This enables students to develop their computer literacy and to take advantage of word processing and other software to develop essays and assignments. The University provides more than twenty-five well-equipped computing laboratories for teaching and general access. All students are given an email account on enrolment. Students can search databases within the University and around the world via the Internet. The Internet provides access to thousands of libraries and other sources of information.

Access to information in electronic form allows students to have it readily available for referencing in assignments — a great time saver. Students using the student e-mail service are able to communicate electronically with their lecturers and fellow students both at ANU and on other campuses.

Information about such facilities is on the ANU web site http://www.anu.edu.au.

Assessment and Academic Performance

Please refer to the Examination and Assessment section.

APPLICATION AND ADMISSION

Bachelor Degrees and Diplomas

The full list of bachelor degrees, combined courses and diplomas is contained in the Schedules attached to the Bachelor Degrees Rules later in this chapter.

Bachelor degrees and diplomas available to international students

The University has a total enrolment of approximately 1,000 international students from over 70 countries. International students wishing to study in Australia require a study visa and pay tuition fees for their studies, including students already studying in Australian schools who intend to study at undergraduate level. No quotas are placed on the number of international students entering Australia.

New students are admitted at the beginning of the academic year in late February. Second Semester admission in late July is available for a number of degree courses and current advice about these may be obtained from the International Education Office.

	1999 annual fees $A
BA	11,500
B A (Art History & Curatorship)	11,500
B A (Australian Studies	11,500
B A (Development Studies)	11,500
B A (European Studies)	11,500
B Asian Studies	11,500
B Asian Studies (Specialist) degrees:
B Asian Studies (Arabic)	11,500
B Asian Studies (Chinese)	11,500
B Asian Studies (Hindi)	11,500
B Asian Studies (Indonesian)	11,500
B Asian Studies (Japanese)	11,500
B Asian Studies (Korean)	11,500
B Asian Studies (Thai)	11,500
B Asian Studies (Vietnamese)	11,500
B Actuarial Studies	11,500
B Comm	11,500
B Ec	11,500
B E	16,000
B Inf Tech (SoftwareEngineering Program)	14,000
B Inf Tech (Information Systems Program)	11,500
LLB	11,500
LLB Graduate	11,500
B Sc	14,000
B Sc (Forestry)	14,000
B Sc (Resource & Environmental Management)	14,000

Bachelor degrees and diplomas awarded by the Institute of the Arts

Diploma of Art	12,500
B A (Visual)	13,500
B Mus	13,500
Advanced Dip Music	12,500
Advanced Dip Music (Jazz Studies)	12,500

Combined courses leading to two degrees

B A/B Asian Studies	11,500
B A/B Asian Studies (Specialist)	11,500
B A/B Comm	11,500
B A/BEc	11,500
B A/LLB	11,500
B A/BSc	14,000
B A/B A (Visual)	13,500
B Asian Studies/B Comm	11,500
B Asian Studies/B E	16,000
B Asian Studies/B Ec	11,500
B Asian Studies/LLB	11,500
B Asian Studies/B Sc	14,000
B Asian Studies (Specialist)/B A (Visual)	13,500
B Asian Studies (Specialist)/B Comm	11,500
B Asian Studies (Specialist)/B Ec	11,500
B Asian Studies (Specialist)/LLB	11,500
B Asian Studies (Specialist)/B Sc	14,000
B Actuarial Studies/B Comm	11,500
B Actuarial Studies/B Ec	11,500
B Comm/B E	16,000
B Comm/B Ec	11,500
B Comm/B Inf Tech	11,500
B Comm/LLB	11,500
B Ec/B Inf Tech	11,500
B Ec/LLB	11,500
B E/B Ec	16,000
B E/B Inf Tech (Software Engineering)	16,000
B E/B Sc	16,000
B Sc/B Comm	14,000
B Sc/B Ec	14,000
B Sc/LLB	14,000
B Sc (Forestry)/B Ec	14,000
B Sc/B Sc (Forestry)	14,000

Non-Award courses

Non-science	11,500
Science	14,000
Study Abroad	12,000

Student exchanges

The Student Exchange Program offered by the ANU is rewarding both educationally and personally. The ANU has established agreements with institutions of high standing in the following countries: Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, USA, Sweden, The Netherlands. The University also has an exchange with the University of Oxford.

Later year undergraduate students should have completed at least one academic year at the ANU and achieved a credit average or better in order to participate. Students should be active members of the community while at the ANU, have a genuine interest in the people and culture of the country in which they wish to study and will be expected to represent both the ANU and Australia while abroad.

The period of exchange will in most cases be for a full academic year (2 semesters). If you are interested in exchange to a non-English speaking country, you should note that special arrangements have been made by individual faculties for some exchanges and that usually only language major students will be considered for these.

The University is continually adding new institutions and destinations available for exchange. Students interested in participating in the Exchange Program should consult the International Education Office (IEO), Chancelry Annex, for further information. Students interested in specific exchanges within the Institute of the Arts should contact the Executive Officer, Institute of the Arts, for details.

Study abroad

The University offers an excellent undergraduate Study Abroad program for students who wish to study for either one semester or one academic year at the ANU. Study Abroad students enrol on a non-award basis. Students are able to begin at either the beginning of Semester 1 (February) or Semester 2 (July). For admission requirements, see International applicants in this section of the Handbook.

Further information is available from the International Education Office or via the ANU home page http://www.anu.edu.au.

Year 12 Extension Program

The ANU Extension Program will make available, from First Semester 1999, some first year ANU units to suitably qualified Year 12 students. Students may only enrol in one Extension unit per semester. The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies has determined that University Extension units are available for inclusion in a student’s ACT Year 12 package. Students undertaking the NSW HSC may undertake Extension Units but there is currently no provision for such units to be recognised within their school credential.

Students may apply for status for satisfactorily completed Extension units on subsequent enrolment in a degree course at the ANU and possibly other universities. Each Extension unit enrolment will attract a materials fee of $150 in 1999. The General Services Fee is not payable by Extension students.

Details of available units, eligibility and application procedures are available from ACT and Queanbeyan senior secondary colleges and schools and from the Admissions Office.

Graduate study

The University offers a wide range of postgraduate awards and degrees, including graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, master degrees by research and/or coursework, and PhD degrees. See the Graduate School Prospectus and the Graduate School Handbook for detailed information or consult the Graduate School web site at http://www.anu.edu.au/graduate.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

Any person seeking enrolment in an undergraduate course of study, including non-award enrolment, must first have his or her application for admission assessed in relation to minimum admission requirements set by the University. This Handbook sets out the minimum admission requirements in terms of qualifications held by the majority of applicants and gives details of special schemes offered by the University to assist applicants who may be educationally disadvantaged to qualify for admission. Applicants who hold qualifications other than those mentioned in this Handbook should seek advice on their eligibility for admission to the University.

Authoritative information can be given in writing only by the Director, Student Administration and Support Services. Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the Admissions Office. The University cannot accept responsibility for consequences which may arise if advice is sought from any other source.

Admissions Office

Telephone: (02) 6249 3046/5594
(recorded information about admissions is available on (02) 6249 5405)
email: admiss.enq@anu.edu.au
fax: (02) 6249 0751
internet: http://www.anu.edu.au/psi/admissions/

Applications for undergraduate admission to the University are processed by two tertiary admissions centres and the ANU Admissions Office, as described below. Although the selection procedures used by each centre may differ, the selection criteria of the University are maintained, regardless of the method of application processing. A copy of the Rules (2A) may be obtained from any faculty office and from the World Wide Web at: http://www.anu.edu.au/registrar/council/rules/

Admission requirements

Applicants seeking enrolment to an undergraduate award course or non-award study must satisfy the University’s admission requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed:

an Australian Year 12 qualification completed within 10 years of the year of enrolment;
an Associate Diploma, Diploma or Advanced Diploma completed at Australian tertiary institution within 10 years of the year of entry;
at least half a full-time year of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution; or
an approved tertiary preparation course at an Australian tertiary institution;

will meet the requirements for minimum admission. However admission to individual courses is competitive and will be determined on the applicant’s level of performance in previous qualifications and satisfaction of any course prerequisites. Further details are set out below or are available from the Admissions Office.

Applicants who hold qualifications other than the above should consult the Admissions Office for advice on whether they meet minimum admission requirements.

Admission requirements for school-leavers

Australian Capital Territory

Applicants from the ACT will be assessed for admission on the basis of their Universities Admission Index (UAI) calculated on their performance in the ACT Year 12 Certificate by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies. Information on the ACT Year 12 Certificate and the calculation of the UAI is available from the Board.

New South Wales

Applicants from NSW will be assessed for admission on the basis of their Universities Admission Index calculated on their performance in the Higher School Certificate. Information on the Higher School Certificate and the calculation of the TER is available from the NSW Board of Studies. Information on the calculation of the UAI is published in the Universities Admissions Centre Information Guide.

Other States

Applications from school-leavers from States (or Territories) other than ACT or NSW who have met matriculation requirements within their own State, will be assessed on the basis of a minimum tertiary entrance rank as determined by the University using the conversion method developed by the National Tertiary Admissions System (NTAS) Task Force.

Adult admission based on abridged secondary qualifications

Those who wish to seek admission in 1999 on the basis of abridged secondary qualifications undertaken in 1998 must have been aged 20 years or over by 1 March 1998 or have completed requirements for the award of the equivalent of a Year 10 School Certificate by 31 December 1994, and have not completed their initial continuous secondary schooling.

Applicants must complete the package approved by the relevant State or Territory Board of Studies for mature age students. This includes the ‘Mature Age’ package of the ACT Year 12 Certificate and the Limited TER offered within the NSW HSC system. Further information on these programs is available from local secondary education authorities.

Applicants who are at least 18 years of age may qualify for admission to the University on the basis of the ‘Older Students’ package of the ACT Year 12 or the NSW TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate.

Approved tertiary preparation courses

Successful completion of the Canberra Institute of Technology Certificate in Pre-tertiary Studies, or an approved tertiary preparation course from an Australian institution will satisfy admission requirements. Applicants through these courses must be 21 years or over on 1 March 1999. Further information on approved courses and the level of achievement required is available from the Admissions Office.

ANU Adult entry schemes

University Preparation Scheme

Local residents who will be 21 or over by 1 March 1999 may attempt the University Preparation Scheme. Applicants are assessed on performance in an approved unit of study offered by the ANU Centre for Continuing Education or ANUTECH and the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) multi-choice test administered by UAC.

Special Adult Entry Scheme

Applicants who meet the age requirements set out above and who do not already hold a qualification which meets minimum admission requirements may apply through this scheme. Applicants will be selected on performance in the STAT multi-choice and written English tests taken within three years. Both tests are administered by UAC.

Please note that those who have attempted tertiary studies unsuccessfully within the past three years or who have been unsuccessful in the SAES within the past three years are ineligible to apply through this scheme.

Further details of these two schemes are available from the Admissions Office. Applicants for both schemes must register for the STAT on the registration form in the UAC Information Guide.

Admission on the basis of tertiary studies

The University will consider applications from those who have previously undertaken tertiary education in an Australian university or college of advanced education, or who have completed a TAFE Associate Diploma, Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Applicants who have completed secondary qualifications and tertiary study will be assessed for admission on their total qualification package.

All intending applicants must contact the Admissions Office to check their eligibility for admission.

Admission with status

The Faculties grant as much advanced status (credit, or advanced standing) for tertiary studies successfully completed elsewhere as can be accommodated within the structure of the particular degree. The status may be specified or unspecified. (Unspecified status may be expressed either in general terms or in relation to a particular subject area.) Where the units correspond closely enough to those taught at this University, specified status may be granted. Other units are granted unspecified status.

The appropriate faculty will determine, on the basis of work already completed, the work that is required to complete the degree. To meet these requirements, it may not be possible for the faculty to grant status for all the work already completed.

Students wishing to take out an Australian National University degree will be required to successfully complete at least the equivalent of one year’s full-time enrolment, which must include sufficient later year units.

Because of their professional requirements, the granting of status in the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce is subject to different criteria; students should contact the appropriate faculty office.

The University has procedures for the review of its status decisions. These are set out in the Status and Exemption Appeal Rules. A student who is dissatisfied with the level of status granted should inform the Faculty in writing within 28 days of the date of the letter of notification to arrange to discuss the matter. If after that discussion with the Faculty the student is still dissatisfied, a request may be made to the Academic Registrar to arrange for a Status Appeal Committee to review the decision. The request must be in writing and must be given to the Academic Registrar within 14 days of the discussion with the Faculty.

Countrywide Access Scheme for disadvantaged school-leavers

The Countrywide Access Scheme is designed for immediate and recent school-leavers (under the age of 21 years) who have strong academic potential but who may have been disadvantaged during high school. Conditions such as geographical isolation, low family income or longterm illness can mean that students fall below the required Universities Admission Index (UAI) for their chosen course.

The places available to students through Countrywide are allocated on the basis of relative academic merit, rather than the extent or type of disadvantage. All applicants who meet the eligibility requirement of the Scheme will compete for selection on a UAI lower than that required for standard entry to the degree courses for which they have applied. A set number of places is available for Countrywide students in each Faculty.

From 1998, applicants for education access schemes at any ACT/NSW university including the Countrywide Access Scheme, must apply through UAC. An information booklet and application form for these schemes is available from late July 1998 in schools, from UAC and from the Countrywide Coordinator, telephone 02 6249 4893. Applications to UAC close on 30 September 1998. Late applications to Countrywide Access may be lodged directly with the ANU until 27 November 1998.

Applicants with physical or sensory disabilities

These applicants are strongly advised to contact the Disability Adviser on 02 6249 5036 (9 am to 1 pm) (fax: 02 6249 5582; TTY 02 6249 3008; email: margaret.miller@anu.edu.au) before submitting their applications to ensure that early arrangements for their assistance can be made.

The University provides assistance to students with a disability. Those with high support needs that will take time to arrange (eg, brailling or taping of texts), should contact the Disability Adviser by November of the year preceding enrolment.

Admission for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders

The University has implemented an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Scheme to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders seeking admission to commence undergraduate studies within The Faculties. Applicants whose qualifications do not meet minimum admission requirements will have the opportunity to apply for admission through the Scheme. Applicants are interviewed and asked to complete two assessment tasks involving reading, writing and listening skills. These tasks take place in late November or early December, when applicants visit the University for a Pre-admission Program. The Jabal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre administers and facilitates the Pre-admission Program and provides academic and social support for students on campus.

Further information and application forms are available from the Jabal Centre. Applications through this scheme close on 30 October 1998. Telephone inquiries should be made to the Jabal Centre on (02) 6249 3520.

English language competence

Applicants who hold qualifications obtained in a language other than English will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency to undertake university study. The University accepts satisfactory results in the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within two years of application. Mimimum requirements for the IELTS are: an overall band score of 6.5 with a minimum band score of 6; and for the TOEFL: a score of 570 on the paper based test or 230 on the computer based test, plus a Test of Written English score of 4.5. Higher scores are required for admission to courses in Arts and Law.

Applicants should check with the Admissions Office if they have other evidence of English proficiency.

Accredited units in Academic English

The University offers for credit two first year units in Academic English to those students whose first language is not English and who have been admitted to a course of study. These units provide a very useful preparation and introduction to Australian university requirements and practices in all aspects of academic life. They help students to develop listening and reading skills which will assist them in understanding the requirements for tutorial preparation and assignment writing.

These units are offered by the Linguistics Department in the Faculty of Arts. While these units may count toward the total requirements for a degree, they may not form part of any specified major.

Distinguished Scholars

The ANU Distinguished Scholar Program is designed to stretch the abilities of high-achieving students. It provides ‘customised’ undergraduate training for outstanding students from throughout Australia. If accepted into the program, a student will have a member of the academic staff as a mentor, who will assist in planning a course tailored to their needs and interests which will maximise their academic potential. The Program, currently offered in the Faculty of Science, will be extended in 1999 to the Faculties of Arts, Asian Studies and Engineering and Information Technology and to other areas in later years.

Distinguished Scholars will be selected on merit. Intending applicants should contact individual Faculties or the Admissions Office for further details.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Application through Universities Admissions Centre

The University is a participating institution in both the NSW and ACT Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Applicants living in the ACT, NSW, other Australian states or territories and expatriate Australian citizens should apply through UAC for all undergraduate award courses. Victorian applicants may apply for all courses except LLB (Grad) through VTAC.

All students currently attempting a Year 12 in Australia apply through the UAC Infoline by midnight on 30 September 1998. All other applicants must apply using UAC Form B by 30 September 1998. UAC Information Guides including the application form B are available in August from major news agencies in the ACT and NSW or by post from —

Universities Admissions Centre (NSW and ACT)
Telephone (02) 9330 7200
Internet: http://www.uac.edu.au

The cost of the Guide is $10 over the counter and a charge is payable to cover handling and postage costs. UAC has a processing fee of $25 payable by all applicants except those attempting a current Australian Year 12 examination in Australia.

Applications submitted after the closing date will attract a late fee. Late applicants will only be accepted by UAC until 11 December 1998 on a sliding late fee scale. A person awaiting notification of current examination results should still submit a form before the closing date.

Graduates of ANU, currently enrolled ANU students expecting to complete degree requirements by the end of the current academic year and former ANU students who no longer hold a current place in a course of study must apply for admission to undergraduate courses, including the Graduate Law course (LLB(G)) through UAC.

Application through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

Students attempting Year 12 apply through the VTAC Infoline or the VTAC website, by 30 September. All other applicants apply through the website or by using the application form included in the VTAC Guide which is available from early August from Victorian newsagencies. For further information about application procedures, contact VTAC: website, www.vtac.edu.au; or telephone, 03 9690 7977.

VTAC applicants through the Countrywide Access, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Special Adult Entry Schemes, must also lodge an application form directly to the University. Forms may be obtained from the Admissions Office.

Selection Mode

Except for courses in visual arts or music, school-leavers through VTAC will be selected using a two-stage approach, in which approximately 80 per cent of offers will be made on the basis of an applicant’s ENTER and approximately 20 per cent will be based on an applicant’s ENTER plus ‘middle-band factors’ as described below.

Middle-band selection

In evaluating applications in the middle band (those neither clearly selected on the basis of their ENTER nor clearly rejected), selection officers will take into account each student’s full academic performance, including all information on the VCE or performance in alternative qualifications and any studies additional to those used for the determination of the ENTER. Those courses which specify prerequisite subjects will particularly consider performance in the specified subjects. Applicants for special consideration and those applying through a special admission scheme may also be ranked in the middle band after assessment of their application.

Direct application to the University

Those applying to enrol in:

non-award units;
final honours year;
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Special Admission Scheme
the Australian National Internships Program

must apply direct to the University. Intending applicants are invited to contact the Admissions Office in August or September for information about closing dates. Direct applications for admission to degree courses, accompanied by a late application charge of $80, will be accepted after the final UAC closing date of 11 December.

All application forms are available in August from the Admissions Office in the Chancelry Annex or from:

The Admissions Office
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200

Details of closing dates and late application charges (if applicable) for direct applications are listed on the application form.

Application forms should be completed carefully with full and complete information. The giving of false or incomplete information may lead to processing delays and refusal of the application or cancellation of the enrolment.

All applicants who have applied will be advised in late January or early February of the result of their application and, if made an offer, will be required to register an enrolment during a specified period. Registration also includes the payment of the appropriate General Services Fee and completion of Higher Education Contribution Scheme procedures.

Mid Year Admission

It is possible to commence studies in Second Semester (July) in most courses. However the number of units available to new students may be limited. Intending applicants should consult this Handbook and the Faculty Office. Applications for mid-year entry are made directly to the Admissions Office by the closing date of 30 June.

Application for non-award studies (applications direct to the University and not through UAC or VTAC).

Each of the faculties may consider applications for enrolment on a non-award examination basis. Applicants for enrolment of this kind must meet normal admission requirements and must apply direct to the University by 8 January 1999. Individual faculties will assess applications for non-award studies on their merits. Non-award students enrolled for any unit will be entitled to the same privileges and will be subject to the same discipline and obligations as apply to students proceeding to a degree.

Non-award students who are exempt from the Higher Education Contribution Scheme will normally be required to pay a tuition fee for each unit in which they are enrolled. Students whose non-award units are to be counted towards an award of another tertiary institution normally incur a liability under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme. Students applying for Summer Session units in Law should contact the Faculty for advice about fee liability.

By arrangement with the University of Canberra and the Australian Defence Force Academy students may undertake cross-institutional studies at the University. Students new to these must lodge an application form and documentation by 19 February 1999. The closing date for continuing students is 8 Januray 1999.

International applicants

An international applicant is an applicant who is not:

an Australian citizen or permanent resident
a New Zealand citizen

International students must meet the requirements for minimum admission to the University, which include English language requirements. Details of educational requirements based on Australian qualifications and the English language requirements are set out in the Undergraduate Admissions section above. International applicants are not eligible to apply on the basis of abridged secondary qualifications or through the Special Adult Entry Scheme or University Preparation Scheme. Details of admission requirements based on overseas qualifications are available from the International Education office — tel: 61 2 6249 4643.

International applicants undertaking Year 12 study in Australia must apply through UAC. Those studying Year 12 in Victoria may apply through VTAC. All other international students should apply direct to the University.

Please note: An offer to an international applicant will become invalid if that applicant becomes a permanent Australian resident before enrolment. In such cases another offer may be made, subject to quotas for Australian residents.

Application forms are available from the International Education Office. Where possible, direct applications for 1999 entry for international students should be submitted no later than 11 December 1998.

Applicants must obtain information from the nearest diplomatic mission regarding entry requirements for study in Australia and the procedures to be followed by international applicants. International applicants should note that admission is available only on a fee-paying basis.

English language competence

Please refer to the Undergraduate Admissions entry above for information on English language competence.

Medical insurance

All international students are required to have health insurance while studying in Australia. Information is available from the Overseas Student Health Cover Officer on tel: 61 2 6249 4643.

International student services

Information regarding student services available through the International Education Office is listed in the Student Services section of this Handbook.