General

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.

Can I transfer from Open Universities Australia to an on-campus place?

It's possible to transfer to an on-campus place, but it's at the discretion of the university where you wish to study. OUA students seeking to transfer will need to apply through their desired university's Tertiary Admissions Centre. In many cases, successful completion of units offered through Open Universities Australia will improve your chances of receiving an offer from your preferred university. Check with the university to see which units are most appropriate.

Some postgraduate courses have more flexible transfer arrangements. Please check your options with the provider university.

Arrangements for international students may differ. Students in this position should contact their preferred university directly.

Do I get a student card?

All OUA students will receive a student card, which carries your name and OUA ID number. You should receive your student card in Week Five of the Study Period you have enrolled in. Your card is valid until March of the following year. However, please note that, because we are an off-campus study provider, you may not be eligible for certain student concessions such as public transport. Please consult the concession provider to check your eligibility.

Does my student card entitle me to concession rates on public transport?

As OUA is an off-campus study provider, most state public transport authorities will not issue you with a student travel concession card.

Does Open Universities Australia offer short courses?

Open Universities Australia does not currently offer courses shorter than 13 weeks except for a few selected bridging units. For students not wishing to undertake a full degree, it is possible to study our 13-week undergraduate units individually. Entry to some units is restricted; check the unit page for more information.

Postgraduate courses are restricted and have an application process, and units within them may generally only be studied as a part of the course, unless special permission is sought from the university.

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.

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 363 652.

How do I get a replacement student card?

If you lose your student card and need a replacement, please contact the Student Advisors on 1300 363 652. There is a replacement fee of $20 to cover costs of generating a new card.

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 study centre. 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 do I update my personal details?

Most of your details, such as your contact information, can be changed by signing into My study centre, going to your Profile and following the link to Update your profile. (There is also a shortcut to Account settings in the mega-menu)

To change your name, citizenship or date of birth, you must fax or mail supporting documentation to OUA. Remember to include your current details (including OUA ID) and clearly state the changes required. Please include relevant supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate, change of name certificate, birth certificate or citizenship certificate. OUA's mailing address and fax number can be found on the contact us page.

Please note: a driver's licence, passport or Medicare card are not accepted forms of identification for change of personal details.

How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?

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.

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 enrol in a maximum of four units per Study Period and, as you can enrol up to a year in advance through OUA, you may enrol in up to 16 units at once (four units for each of the four Study Periods). If you exceed four units in any study period, this will trigger an error message and you will not be able to proceed with your enrolment.

Please note that the recommended full-time study load at OUA is two units per Study Period or Session, and we recommend starting with just one unit in your first Study Period.

How many units can I study at the same time?

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.

I haven't studied with OUA for a while. Can I keep working towards my degree?

I'm having trouble accessing My study centre or my study materials. Who can help me?

The key to accessing all your important information is setting up your My study centre account. Registering for a My study centre account is free, and can be done even if you haven't enrolled yet. Just visit the My study centre login page and click "Register".

If you already have a My study centre account, signing in to My study centre is easy. You'll need your username and password. If you've forgotten either of those details, just click on the "Forgotten Username" and/or "Forgotten Password" links and follow the prompts to have your details emailed back to you, or your password reset.

Once you're logged in to My study centre, you can access your online study materials by selecting My courses and units and Current units. You'll see a list of your current units, and links to the provider university's online portal. Your unit's provider should have contacted you with your login details. If you no longer have those details, you will need to follow the university's instructions to get them back. Most of the university websites will contain information about retrieving lost login details, similar to those on the My study centre login page.

If you're still unsure of how to access your study information, contact a Student Advisor.

I'm interested. How do I get started?

It's easy to get started! Our enrolment process only takes a few minutes. For more information, watch our videos about Studying through OUA, or call one of our friendly Student Advisors on 1300 363 652.

Is study through Open Universities Australia tax deductible?

Self-education costs may be tax deductible if they are likely to result in wage increases in your current employment. For more information, visit www.ato.gov.au or speak to an accountant.

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 study centre.

What are advantages of online education?

Online education allows you the flexibility to fit your study around your life. Some the advantages are:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. You can study anytime - Study day or night, you are not restricted by lecture or tutorial times.
4. You can study anywhere - Study at home, anywhere in Australia or around the world.

What is a Unit Profile? How do I get one?

A unit profile provides important information about a unit, such as its title, code, learning outcomes, prerequisites and special requirements. It also includes an overview of the unit and the topics covered.

OUA unit profiles are official documents and can assist students in understanding their eligibility regarding credit and recognition of prior learning. Unit profiles can be obtained from the 'Relevant courses' section of each unit page on this website.

If you need a unit profile for one of your completed units, log into My study centre, follow the link to Completed units and click on the link for the relevant unit

Unit profiles are not available online for units studied before 2007. If you need an earlier unit profile, please Contact us.

What is online / distance education?

What postgraduate courses are on offer?

There's a large range of postgraduate degrees available to you, from business to health.

What undergraduate (Bachelor) degrees are on offer?

There's a large range of undergraduate degrees available to you, from business to health.

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.

Why don't student cards include photos?

Because our students are located all over Australia (and internationally), a photo verification system to include photos on our student cards would prolong the production process and mean students would have to wait longer for their cards.

Why don't student cards mention full-time or part-time study?

Because our flexible enrolment approach allows students to choose how much study they want to do in each Study Period, we cannot state whether a student is part-time or full-time on the card as this may change throughout the year. Your confirmation letter can be used to show your full-time or part-time status, as it lists the Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL) for each unit you are enrolled in.

Will all of my classes be online?

Most units offered through OUA require internet access and include online content or email communication. Each unit description page indicates whether the unit is taught in a print only or web-based mode. If you are studying an online unit, your provider will provide login and password details around the start of the Study Period.

Some programs include compulsory on-campus attendance.  This will be clearly stated on both the program page and unit outlines.