Program Overview

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Introduction to the University Program at Australian Catholic University (ACU) ## Overview of ACU

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a public university with multiple campuses across Australia and overseas. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including education, health sciences, law, business, and theology.

Study at ACU

ACU provides students with a supportive and inclusive learning environment, helping them to achieve their academic and professional goals. The university's programs are designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, preparing students for successful careers in their chosen fields.

Undergraduate Study at ACU

ACU offers a range of undergraduate programs, including bachelor's degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The university's undergraduate programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of their chosen discipline.

Postgraduate Study at ACU

ACU also offers a range of postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, graduate diplomas, and graduate certificates. The university's postgraduate programs are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen discipline, preparing them for leadership roles or further research.

Research at ACU

ACU is committed to conducting high-quality research that makes a positive impact on society. The university's research focuses on a range of areas, including education, health, social justice, and sustainability. ACU's research programs provide students with the opportunity to work with experienced researchers and contribute to innovative projects.

International Study at ACU

ACU offers international students the opportunity to study at one of its Australian campuses or at its Rome campus. The university provides international students with support services, including language support, academic advice, and cultural orientation.

Locations

ACU has multiple campuses across Australia and overseas, including:

• Ballarat
• Blacktown
• Brisbane
• Canberra
• Melbourne
• North Sydney
• Rome
• Strathfield

Faculties and Institutes

ACU has four faculties:

• Faculty of Education and Arts
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Law and Business
• Faculty of Theology and Philosophy

The university also has several research institutes and centers, including the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, and the ACU Centre for Disability and Development.

Academic Programs

ACU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Health Science
• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Theology

The university also offers a range of postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, graduate diplomas, and graduate certificates.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for ACU programs vary depending on the course and the student's previous academic qualifications. Generally, students are required to have completed a high school diploma or equivalent, and to have achieved a certain level of academic performance.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for ACU programs vary depending on the course and the student's residency status. International students are required to pay higher tuition fees than domestic students.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

ACU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid programs to help students fund their studies. These include merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, and scholarships for international students.

Student Life

ACU provides students with a range of support services, including academic advice, language support, and counseling. The university also has a range of student organizations and clubs, providing students with opportunities to get involved in campus life and to develop their leadership skills.

Research Areas

ACU's research focuses on a range of areas, including:

• Education
• Health
• Social justice
• Sustainability

The university's research programs provide students with the opportunity to work with experienced researchers and contribute to innovative projects.

FSAS002 - Academic Communications Skills 2

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

This unit builds on the notion that improved academic communication skills are key to success in a university environment in Australia. The unit is designed to develop academic communication skills needed for successful study in ACU undergraduate courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this unit, students will be able to:

1. Use academic language to express ideas meaningfully in a university context
2. Clearly articulate academic concepts in formal spoken and multimodal contexts
3. Demonstrate an ability to effectively use listening and reading strategies to analyze and respond to a range of spoken and written texts
4. Paraphrase, summarize, and synthesize information from a range of academic sources
5. Construct coherent extended academic texts which effectively communicate more complex concepts related to Australian academic culture

Content

Topics will include:

• Development of individual study plans
• Developing understanding and use of language in an academic context
• Developing understanding of appropriate language and techniques in academic essay writing
• Developing effective communication strategies for a range of academic contexts
• Strategies to assist in understanding spoken and written texts in an academic context
• Basic research and referencing skills
• Critically thinking about reading and listening texts
• Note-taking and annotation skills
• Test-taking strategies

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

Assessment tasks build on skills developed in Academic Communication Skills 1. The tasks are scaffolded and designed to prepare students for the type of assessments encountered in a undergraduate university setting.

Overview of Assessments

1. Speaking and Peer Review Task (30%)
2. Guided Academic Essay (35%)
3. Examination (35%)

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

This unit facilitates an active and multi-modal approach to learning. Workshops include expert input but are student-focused and collaborative, designed to maximize opportunities for students to interact with academic English in various contexts.

Representative Texts and References

• Australian Catholic University. (n.d.). Academic Skills Unit.
• Brick, J., Herke, M., Wong, D., & Davies, L. (2016). Academic Culture: A student's guide to studying at university.
• Huntley, H. (2006). Essential academic vocabulary: Mastering the complete academic word list.
• Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Writing Academic English.

Credit Points

7

Year

2026