Frequently Asked Questions
What important dates do I need to be aware of?
25 February 2008
Classes commence for first-half year 2008
31 March 2008
CENSUS DATE (the final date for withdrawing from a first-half year unit without incurring any financial or academic penalty)
31 May 2008
FIRST and FINAL closing date for applications to all external/distance postgraduate programs for second half-year 2008.
FIRST closing date for applications for internal/on campus postgraduate programs for second half-year 2008.
30 June 2008
FINAL closing date for applications for internal/on campus postgraduate programs for second half-year 2008 (applications only considered if places remain)
July 2008 (TBA)
Enrolment for new local students
4 August 2008
Classes commence for second-half year 2008
31 August 2008
CENSUS DATE (the final date for withdrawing from a second-half year unit without incurring any financial or academic penalty)
How much will my course cost?
Find out more about coursework fees for domestic students (Australian or NZ Citizens, or Australian Permanent Residents).
Find out more about coursework fees for international students. Link to
Find out more about what it costs to undertake a research program as a domestic or an international student.
What do I need to do if I want to take a break in my studies?
If you wish to interrupt your study for a period of time, you will need to notify the Postgraduate Studies Section and discontinue your unit(s) if applicable. You may need to complete a "Request for Re-Admission" application when you wish to return. The University does not guarantee the continued availability of a particular program or unit of study from year to year.
Students who are readmitted to a program after a period of absence will be admitted into the current version of their program and will pay the current fee rate applicable in the year of their re-admission.
How and during what period can I change the units I am enrolled in?
If you wish to change your units of enrolment after you have enrolled you can do so as follows:
On-campus coursework students - online via eStudent
Internal units can be added up until the end of the second week of the relevant half-year.
External coursework students - online via eStudent
External units can be added up until the end of the first week of the relevant half-year.
Students may withdraw from any unit without financial or academic penalty up to the census date in each half-year. The census date is shown above.
What are the university's English proficiency requirements?
If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of English proficiency. Recognised test/studies acceptable for English proficiency are shown in the table below. If you do not meet any of the English Proficiency Requirements listed, please write a letter stating why you think the University should waive the English Proficiency Requirement. Remember to provide examples of your proficiency in English.
| English Proficiency Test | Score required |
|---|---|
| Australian TAFE and Private Provider Studies | Completed AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes) or completed Advanced Certificate |
| CCPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English) | C pass |
| CULT (Combined Universities Language Test) | 70 |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from Britain or Singapore) (Gerneral Certificate of Education A Levels) |
C pass in English or other humanities subject |
| HKALE (Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination) | C pass in Use of English |
| International Baccalaureate (Diploma must be awarded) | Minimum English A2 at higher level |
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic version | 6.5 overall (minimum of 6.0 in each subtest) NB: Applicants for Translating and Interpreting, Editing and Publishing and all ACES education programs must have an overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in the reading and writing tests. |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Paper based | 237 (19 in the component tests, minimum of 5.0 in Essay Writing) NB: Applicants for Translating and Interpreting and Editing and Publishing programs must have an overall score of 250. |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet based | Overall 92 Writing 22, Speaking 23, Listening 18, Reading 17 NB: Applicants for Translating and Interpreting and Editing and Publishing preograms must have an overall score of 100. Writing 25 and 23 for other sections. |
| UNSW Foundation Studies | Completed certificate with C pass in Academic English |
(The above table is copied from page 7 of the Division of ELS Postgraduate Course booklet - http://www.mq.edu.au/publications/ELS.pdf)