Program Overview

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Introduction to the University Program

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) offers a range of programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The university is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.

Study at ACU

ACU provides students with a wide range of courses and programs to choose from, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as short courses and individual units. The university's courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to succeed in their chosen field.

• Find a Course: Students can search for courses by keyword, faculty, or study area.
• Course Types Explained: ACU offers a range of course types, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees.
• Course Guides: The university provides course guides to help students plan their studies and make informed decisions about their course choices.

How to Apply

The application process for ACU varies depending on the type of course and the student's background. The university provides a range of admission pathways, including direct entry, credit transfer, and recognition of prior learning.

• Undergraduate Students: Undergraduate students can apply directly to ACU or through the relevant tertiary admission center.
• Postgraduate Students: Postgraduate students can apply directly to ACU, and some courses may require additional documentation, such as a resume or references.
• Short Courses and Individual Units: Students can apply for short courses and individual units through the university's website.

Education Pathways

ACU provides a range of education pathways to help students achieve their academic and career goals. These pathways include:

• Find Your Pathway or Entry Program: Students can search for pathways and entry programs by course or study area.
• I Have Completed Military Service: ACU provides support and recognition for students who have completed military service.
• I Am Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander: The university provides support and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Fees and Scholarships

ACU offers a range of scholarships and financial assistance to help students fund their studies. The university's fees vary depending on the course and the student's background.

• Domestic Student Fees: Domestic students can find information about fees and financial assistance on the university's website.
• International Student Fees: International students can find information about fees and financial assistance on the university's website.
• Scholarships: ACU offers a range of scholarships to help students fund their studies.

Responding to an Offer

Once students have received an offer to study at ACU, they can respond by accepting or declining the offer. The university provides information and support to help students make informed decisions about their course choices.

• Accept Your Offer and Enrol: Students can accept their offer and enrol in their course through the university's website.
• Orientation: The university provides orientation programs to help students transition to university life.
• Defer Your Offer or Withdraw: Students can defer their offer or withdraw from their course if they need to.

International Students

ACU welcomes international students from around the world. The university provides a range of support services and resources to help international students settle into university life.

• ACU 中文官网: The university provides information and support for Chinese students.
• Access International Course Guide Online: International students can access the course guide online to find information about courses and programs.
• Download Student Guides: The university provides student guides to help international students navigate university life.

Student Life

ACU provides a range of support services and resources to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. The university's student life programs include:

• Experience Uni Before You Start: The university provides programs and events to help students experience university life before they start their course.
• Student Stories: Current students share their experiences and stories about studying at ACU.
• ACU Thrive: The university's thrive program provides support and resources to help students achieve their academic and personal goals.

Campus Facilities

ACU's campuses are located in major cities around Australia, including Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne. The university's campuses provide a range of facilities and resources, including libraries, computer labs, and recreational facilities.

• Food, Drink, and Recreation Facilities: The university provides a range of food, drink, and recreation facilities on campus.
• Learning and Teaching Facilities: The university's learning and teaching facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, lecture theaters, and laboratories.
• Sports, Health, and Wellbeing Facilities: The university provides a range of sports, health, and wellbeing facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, and health services.

Student Services

ACU provides a range of student services to support students' academic and personal success. These services include:

• Academic Skills Development: The university provides academic skills development programs to help students improve their academic skills.
• Campus Ministry: The university's campus ministry provides spiritual support and guidance to students.
• Career Development Services: The university's career development services provide support and resources to help students achieve their career goals.

Research and Enterprise

ACU is committed to conducting high-quality research that makes a positive impact on society. The university's research priorities include:

• Research Community: The university's research community includes researchers, institutes, and centers.
• Research Facilities and Capabilities: The university provides a range of research facilities and capabilities, including laboratories, libraries, and research services.
• Graduate Research School: The university's graduate research school provides support and resources to help research students achieve their academic and career goals.

About ACU

ACU is a public university that is committed to providing high-quality education and research. The university's mission is to foster academic excellence, promote social justice, and support the wellbeing of students and staff.

• Faith and Values: The university's faith and values are rooted in its Catholic heritage and commitment to social justice.
• Working at ACU: The university provides a range of employment opportunities for academic and professional staff.
• Giving to ACU: The university welcomes donations and gifts from alumni, friends, and supporters.

Locations

ACU has campuses located in major cities around Australia, including Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne. The university also has a campus in Rome, Italy.

• Ballarat: The university's Ballarat campus is located in the heart of Victoria's regional city.
• Blacktown: The university's Blacktown campus is located in western Sydney.
• Brisbane: The university's Brisbane campus is located in the heart of Queensland's capital city.
• Canberra: The university's Canberra campus is located in the nation's capital.

Connect with Us

ACU welcomes feedback, comments, and queries from students, staff, and the community. The university provides a range of ways to connect, including social media, email, and phone.

• Facebook: The university's Facebook page provides news, updates, and information about university life.
• Twitter: The university's Twitter account provides news, updates, and information about university life.
• Instagram: The university's Instagram account provides a visual showcase of university life.

FSTL003 - Tertiary Literacy

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

The FSTL003 unit is designed to further develop the tertiary literacy skills required for undergraduate study. The unit aims to build on the knowledge and skills attained in Academic English 2 and to facilitate students' understanding and expectations of academic study in undergraduate programs.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for this unit include:

1. Demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency: Students will demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency across a range of skills and tasks to commence undergraduate studies.
2. Differentiate between a variety of academic genres: Students will differentiate between a variety of academic genres and apply appropriate language and conventions for communicating within them.
3. Demonstrate understanding of research strategies and referencing conventions: Students will demonstrate understanding of research strategies and referencing conventions and be able to apply them to specific tasks.
4. Apply independent study skills: Students will apply independent study skills in order to solve problems and facilitate personal development and learning.
5. Work cohesively in a group: Students will work cohesively in a group utilizing effective organizational and collaborative skills.

Unit Content

The unit content includes:

• Case study analysis
• How to work effectively as part of a group
• How to give an academic presentation
• Understanding university support services for students
• Effective research skills
• Integration and synthesis of sources into written work
• Review and development of essay writing techniques
• Review and further development of grammatical range accuracy
• Improved use of appropriate lexis in an academic context

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The assessment tasks are designed to encourage students to engage not only with the content of the unit curriculum but also with the university as an institution. The assessment tasks include:

1. Case Study Analysis and Presentation: Students will investigate solutions to, and support systems for, common problems faced by students in first-year university study.
2. Research Task: Students will be guided through a research essay on a topic related to undergraduate study.
3. Examination: The exam is designed for students to demonstrate their level of academic language proficiency and understanding of the academic strategies and research and referencing skills covered during the term.

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

The unit consists of 120 teaching hours across 10 weeks of study. The classroom will be flipped, with students receiving information through various formats, including online lectures, readings, and homework research projects that will be explored and developed within subsequent workshops. Students will be expected to collaborate with their peers on project-based learning both inside and outside of the classroom.

Representative Texts and References

The representative texts and references for this unit include:

• ACU Study Guide – accessed through Canvas
• Grix, J., & Watkins, G. (2010). Information skills: Finding and using the right resources. London, UK: Palgrace Macmillan
• Hopkins, D., & Reid, T. (2018). The academic communication skills handbook. London, UK: Sage Study Skills
• Thomson, E., & Droga, L. (2012). Effective academic writing: An essay-writing workbook for school and university. Putney; NSW: Phoenix Education.