Studying through OUA may be different to your previous study experiences, and it can take time to develop the skills you need to be an independent online learner.
We offer access to a range of units and qualifications that are taught by our shareholder universities and other academic providers. You can complete single units for interest, or follow a course structure to work towards a specific qualification. Units are offered in four Study Periods a year (or in three Sessions for some postgraduate courses) and you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
OUA handles enrolment and some administration. The provider universities send your study materials, handle all academic matters and are responsible for your assessment and graduation. If you decide to complete a course, you will graduate from the university offering that course, for example Monash or Griffith. Your testamur (degree certificate) will be identical to those received by on-campus students, and will not state that the course was taken online or through Open Universities Australia.
What are advantages of online education?
Online education allows you the flexibility to fit your study around your life. Some the advantages are:
- Your studies are self-paced - The ability to study year-round means it's possible to fast track your course, finishing sooner than traditional study would allow.
- You can choose your study load - OUA allows you to stay flexible with your study load, so you can choose - and change - the number of units you take each Study Period to best suit you.
- You can study anytime - Study day or night, you are not restricted by lecture or tutorial times.
- You can study anywhere - Study at home, anywhere in Australia or around the world.
Where do I get my degree (qualification) from?
Your qualification will come directly from the university that provides your course. You will receive the same degree certificate as an on-campus student of that same university and qualification.
How do I enrol?
Unlike other university courses, most of our undergraduate units are open to all students. You can enrol straight away in the units that fit your needs then get started as soon as your study materials arrive.
Postgraduate units are different, however. They are restricted and require interested students to follow an application process for entry. Further information about application processes and forms is available on each course page.
Enrolling is easy, and can be done online, by mail, fax or over the phone by calling one of our Student Advisors on 1300 881 548.
How am I better off going through OUA rather than direct?
OUA offers you the opportunity to study online with leading Australian universities, so that your study fits your life. We are the market leaders in online tertiary education in Australia, and have a specialized understanding of the challenges of online study. If you haven't studied in a while, we provide preparation courses to get you in the swing of things.
Furthermore, OUA's academic calendar offers four Study Periods per year. The gives you the option to fast track your studies towards your new career, or to take breaks at convenient times, such as focusing on seasonal work or personal commitments.
Can I study overseas?
Yes, you can! With OUA, you can study from anywhere around the world. We can even organise exam venues for students based overseas. In addition, there are no additional charges for Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent visa holders living outside Australia.
Students who are not Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia or New Zealand citizens can still study through OUA, but must pay an additional International Student Fee of $225 per unit.
How do I meet other students?
There are plenty of ways to get in touch with your fellow OUA students. The Student Community forums and the study contact lists are convenient ways to get in touch with your classmates.
The Student Community forums can be accessed by logging in to My OUA. There are a range of general and more focused discussion areas to choose from. Many students use these forums and their unit contact lists to form online study groups and keep each other motivated.
You can also keep in touch with your fellow students by following OUA on Twitter or becoming a fan on Facebook.
How long does it take to finish a course?
That is up to you! Because Open Universities Australia lets you choose when to study, you can take up to 10 years to complete the requirements for a course. The ability to study all year round also means it's possible to fast-track, finishing sooner than traditional study would allow. However, it is important to remember that you need to spend around 10 hours each week on every undergraduate unit you study, so taking on extra units to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How many units can I enrol for at once?
You can choose the study load that best suits your study goals and your work and family commitments. One standard unit per Study Period or Session is considered part-time study, while two units at a time is a full-time load. Each unit will need a commitment of at least 10 hours of study time per week, and we recommend starting with just one unit in your first Study Period. The maximum permitted study load is four units in a Study Period or Session, and it is a good idea to speak with a Student Advisor about taking on such a large study load.
You can enrol in one Study Period or Session at a time, or you can plan your units in advance and enrol until the end of the calendar year.
Is there anybody who can help me if I get stuck?
The OUA Student Advisors are your first point of contact when you have problems with enrolment, choosing units, withdrawing from units or other administrative issues.
Your university tutor can provide assistance with matters relating directly to your unit or assessment. Contact details for academic staff are included with your study materials.
You may also find it helpful to contact students in your unit using your study contact list, or to log in to our Student Community forum to share ideas and discuss your studies with other students. The study contact list and Student Community can both be accessed by logging into My OUA.
For more Open Universities related posts please visit the MacTalk/Open Universities Australia Resource Centre.
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