Postgraduate
Postgraduate studies can
lead to the following awards: Graduate Certificates, Graduate
Diplomas, Masters degrees and Doctoral degrees. Graduate
certificates (GC) are specifically designed to further develop
professional knowledge and skills gained in an undergraduate
program. GCs require about six months of full-time study.
Graduate Diplomas (GD) also known as postgraduate diplomas are
designed to enable graduate students to acquire vocationally
oriented qualifications through an intensive program of study,
usually a year. They are of shorter duration and are of a more
restricted content than coursework masters degree programs.
Masters degrees can be undertaken either by coursework or
research. Coursework masters tend to take one year to 18 months to
complete, while research masters degrees take about two years of
full-time study.
The doctoral degree, PhD, is the highest award offered by
universities. It is a research degree though some programs may have
a coursework component. Candidates take a minimum of three
years.
Postgraduate students usually commence their studies at the
beginning of the year, e.g.. February intake. However, institutions
do allow mid-year enrolment for certain courses, e.g.. July intake.
PhD students and research masters students may be able to negotiate
an alternative starting date with their study supervisors. Certain
institutions provide 3 intakes a year for specific courses, e.g..
Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
Distance Education
Although the term distance
education conjures up visions of education provided in the outback,
it is worth noting that more than half of Australia's distance
education students at tertiary level live in metropolitan
areas.
Renewing or adding to skills used in the workforce can be
facilitated by courses that can be fitted in around work hours and
don't require regular attendance at a university campus. There is
usually a maximum time limit of around 10 years for an average
undergraduate degree; however as a distance education student you
can usually spread your workload to suit yourself. Many students
complete a degree in six years.
With no lectures to attend or tutorials to prepare for, many
people find the self-discipline required is the most difficult
aspect of distance education. Mature-age students who are used to
organization and responsibility in the home or workplace find it
easier to transfer these skills to study by distance education. It
is more difficult for a school leaver to move from a highly
regulated school environment to a situation which requires them to
organize their own study time and methods.
Admission to Further and Higher Education
The normal qualification for admission to a university or
college is matriculation. However, there are quotas on enrolments
in many courses, and it is not always possible for qualified
applicants to gain entry to the program of their choice. On the
other hand, several institutions have special entry provisions for
students who may not qualify for admission under normal rules.
Candidates are advised to contact institutions directly in order to
establish their eligibility. Access to distance education programs
is not restricted by state borders and qualifications for admission
are similar throughout Australia.
Applicants for entry to an institution are often required well
in advance of enrolment, often in the period September - November
of the previous year. Information on closing dates should be sought
from the institution concerned as early as possible. University
studies normally commence in February, but some institutions have a
mid-year intake.
The entry requirements for technical and further education
courses are much more varied, depending on the nature of the course
offered. In some cases no specific entry requirements are
specified; in others, a School Certificate or work experience and
relevant current employment are necessary.
No prior qualifications are required for enrolment in units
offered through Open Learning Australia, which has four intakes a
year and accepts enrolments at virtually any time.