The 10 most FAQs we get asked about Advanced Standing

Perspective Squarecase by Erik Johansson ↬ Deviantart 

We get a lot of questions around Advanced Standing and the difference between credits and exemptions and we know it can seem a little confusing at first, deciphering what they all mean and how they apply to you. 

Below we cover some common questions we get asked. Advanced Standing is assessed on an individual basis and each student’s situation is slightly different. Students often aren’t aware of what gets covered in Advanced Standing or realise that they don’t have the right qualifications to apply so understanding the differences can save you time and the hassle of going through the process for no reason, so read on…

Q: What is Advanced Standing?

Advanced Standing is the collective term used by most universities to describe the ways students can use some of their previous learning experience and put it toward their degree. Often also called credit transfer, exemption or simply just credit. 

If you want to apply for credits or exemptions make sure you tick the Advanced Standing check box when you are filling out the application form. You will need to provide unit outlines from previous study. 

If you indicate on your uni application that you want to be assessed for Advanced Standing, our Accreditation Officers will review it once you have been offered and have accepted a place at Murdoch University. 

Q: What’s the difference between a credit and an exemption?

A credit is when the uni recognises that you have already completed some requirements of your course so it reduces the points you need to finish your degree.  So, instead of the usual 72 points required to complete most Bachelor degrees, you may only need to study enough units to gain 60 points, for example. Check the Course Structure of your course in the Handbook to see how many points each unit is worth.

You would still have to complete the required or core units in your course.

An exemption is when you have completed the equivalent of a unit in your previous studies so you don’t have to do this unit again in your Murdoch degree. An exemption can be awarded with or without credit.

The 8 remaining questions:

Q: I have a Certificate III or IV from TAFE, can I apply for Advanced Standing?

Q: I have a Diploma from TAFE can I apply for Advanced Standing?

Q: I have studied abroad can I apply for Advanced Standing?

Q: I have done some study at another uni, can I apply for Advanced Standing? 

Q: I want to study some units at another uni and then accredit them back to my course at Murdoch? 

Q: I’m a Murdoch student and have changed my course, what can be applied to my new degree?

Q: I have heaps of work experience can I get exemptions?

Q: I did chemistry in year 12 do I have to do it again in my degree? 

Need more info?

More information on Advanced Standing for Domestic students 

If you are a Domestic student, contact our Student Centre to speak to our Accreditation Officer

More information on Advanced Standing for International Students

Contact our International Accreditation Officer

How NOT to get lost on one of the biggest uni campuses in Australia

Bush Court @ Murdoch Uni

It’s always tricky coming to a new place and trying to figure out where everything is so we have compiled some very useful things to help you get a feel for what the campus is like and to make sure you don’t get lost during your first few weeks at Murdoch!

Uni campus’ are notorious for being impossible to navigate, Hogwarts is not the exception when it comes to hidden staircases, secret levels and winding passage ways. “How can I be on level 3?? I only went up 1 flight of stairs!” This is commonly heard in the Education building – be careful of that one, it is oddly shaped like an ‘H’ and you always come out with a complete loss of bearing. Can’t say we didn’t warn you!

People say we have a pretty nice campus, we tend to agree ;)

The Murdoch campus is large but filled with lots of awesome things. Our Bush court is the heart of it all and lends an Australian feel to the campus and you will always find students on the grass, enjoying the sun or the shade. We have a newly refurbished Tavern, a Japanese garden and a swimming pool!

Take the 360 tour and get a feel for what the campus is like.

For some of the more, shall we say peculiar, things you might find on campus, check out Student blogger Ben’s video.

Even if you think you can’t read them, take a map

OK, so reading maps isn’t everyone’s forte, but we do have a big campus and to get your bearings consult a map before you come! You can check out our online map here. If you have a smartphone then you can access our mobile map while you are on campus. Just access the Murdoch site on your phone and you will be directed to the mobile site automatically. Easy!

We like to give locations weird codes

So, you have a tute or lecture and you have been told to rock up to such and such, at X o’clock, in room SS2.05. Huh? 

Let’s break it down:

SS stands for the name of the building, in this case it is Social Science.

2 is the level you need to be on in that building.

And .05 is the room number.

Download this First year Find it postcard and print it out - it is really useful for new people as it has all the building names on it; so you can know what BS, EH and PS all stand for.

Take a Tour

During O-week there will be campus tours leaving from the library at different times throughout the day.

For more info, check out the New Student Orientation page!

If you do get lost, just ask someone else who is wandering around. Murdoch peeps are friendly folk and will be sure to help you out.

If the person you ask is also new and has no idea where they are, then at least you know you’re not alone!

For more info about starting as a new student at Murdoch visit our Student Life site.

Figuring out what you want to be when you grow up

Image from Keyla Cedano

Remember when you were about 5 and people would ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up you’d say something like, I want to be: a firefighter/teacher/nurse/pilot/vet/astronaut?

No one ever said I want to be a Broadcast Technician/Market Research Analyst/Paralegal Assistant/Medical Records Officer /Public Relations Executive/Set Designer.

And how many of us go on to be fire-fighters or space sailors? The reality is that when we were young we really only had a broad view of what was out there, and really, what did it matter anyway when you were 5 and playing ‘Doctors and Nurses’ in the school yard? But by the time you’re 15 and trying to choose what subjects you should do at school so that you can get into a course at uni, you are now the one asking yourself the question of “What do I want to be when I grow up?” 

To tell the truth, not many of us know this. A lot of people land in jobs that they would never have consider as a 5 year old, 15 year old or even a 25 year old. For people who decide that they want to be a doctor their pathway from school to uni is clearly defined and this can make their choices easier and their motivation stronger. 

For the rest of us it is a matter of figuring it out as we go along which, is not a bad thing at all because eventually we find that there are a whole lot of options out there that we never even knew about and we find ourselves doing really awesome things like designing sets for bands or organising events at a PR agency.

One thing is for sure, everyone’s journey to their chosen career is different.

The rules:

We are only going to insist on having one rule: do what YOU are interested in. The key factor to success is choosing a course that you find fascinating. If you are unsure about what this course could be think about the subjects you like at school and your strongest abilities and talk to a Career Advisor about what courses could match these interests and skills.

Making it happen:

Come and chat to one of our Student Advisors because not only can they help you figure all these things out, but they have been where you are right now and maybe, just maybe, when they were little they said “when I grow up, I’m going to help students get into uni and find the course that will lead them on their path to discovering their dream career.” Even if they didn’t, that’s where they find themselves now, and loving it, FYI ;)

Come be our friend over on Facebook for more student discussions and advice

VIDEO: the most common questions we get asked when ATAR results are released

Waiting for ATAR results and then actually finding out your ATAR score can be a pretty nerve racking time overall, but remember you are not alone!

No matter what your score, if you are feeling completely baffled about what you want to do, try not to FREAK OUT, you are still in the position of creating your own future path with endless possibilities.

If you find your ATAR score is not quite what you expected, it can mean having to re-think some things. This can be mind boggling we know, and really, lots of students find it becomes so much clearer when they come and see us. Our Student Advisors are staying in over the holiday period so you can come in for a chat now.

If your ATAR is a tad lower than you were hoping, don’t worry, doors are by no means closed for you, it just means you may have to go on a different path to get into your dream course – there are quite a few options and we can walk you through all of those too!

If you got a higher ATAR then you thought you would (go you!) you might just be sweet to leave your preferences as they are and sit back and wait to accept your offer. Or if you are rethinking your choices, take a look at our list of ATAR cut offs to get an idea of the courses you might be eligible for with your score.

So, just come in and see us in our Student Centre and ask us as many questions as you like. Chances are, we’ve heard them all before ;)

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Breaking up with your ATAR and finding a new pathway into Uni

 

3 students, 3 different pathways; all have the same degree and have started on the same career path.

Finishing school, getting an ATAR score and jumping straight to uni is just one way of doing it and this way, well it might work for some, but not for others.

For whatever reason you may not have achieved the ATAR you needed to get into the course you really wanted to do. Or, let’s be frank, you may not have got the ATAR you needed because you really had no clue what you wanted to do and we all know that when you don’t have something to aim for, that you aspire to, it can be hard to stay motivated.

Whatever. That was then. This is now and maybe now you’ve decided that getting into uni and studying [insert name of course that takes your fancy] is exactly what you want to do.

So, if using your ATAR isn’t an option let’s forget about ATAR and focus on what your options as a school leaver are now:

Media portfolios

Some media and arts courses don’t need an ATAR score but instead you submit a portfolio of work. Check the Media portfolio entry pathway for more details and a list of courses.

MUPC

Ahh, another acronym. MUPC stands for Murdoch University Preparation Course and if you didn’t love your ATAR you are going to love MUPC because it means you can study at the Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) and get a Diploma that can lead you straight into a course at Murdoch.

You get to study on the South Street campus which makes your transition to uni really easy once you have successfully completed the MIT course.   A diploma acts as credit to your uni degree as well, so if you take their Express Route, you can end up graduating with your degree at the same time as someone who went from school straight to uni.

Take a look at the MIT website for course details and options.

On Track and TOP

If major disruptions affected your studies in high school and your teachers can support your application you may be able to apply for On Track which is a free pre-uni 12 week program or the Tertiary Options Project (TOP) which can lead to direct admission into Murdoch.

Download the TOP brochure for more info or contact our Equity Office on 08 9360 6084 or equity@murdoch.edu.au

If you would like to apply for TOP, download the application form.

For more info on On Track  call (08) 9360 2609 or email ontrack@murdoch.edu.au

Entry Awards (formerly named Entry Scholarships)

Check out our different Entry Award options, we have a number of High School Entry Awards and Financial Awards on offer. Details about these are given to high schools each year and you will in most cases need to be nominated by your high school.

Indigenous programs

Murdoch’s Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre provides a number of educational pathways into both pre-tertiary and undergraduate studies.

For more information, visit the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre website or call 08 9360 2128.

Access Southwest

If you’re in Year 12 and are studying in the Peel or Rockingham area you can apply for special consideration for admission directly to Murdoch.

Download the Access Southwest Brochure for more info or contact our Equity Office on 08 9360 6084 or equity@murdoch.edu.au
To apply, download the application form.

Tafe and Trade Certificates

Go out there, get some experience and then reapply to Uni. Tafe Diplomas, Certificate IV and Trade Certificates all count as experience that can get you into Murdoch Uni. Most Tafe certificates only require one semester to get and then you can enter uni at the start of the next year or even at the Mid Year entry time. 

Some courses such as Vet, Chiropractic and Law don’t count as they have different entry requirements but chat to our Student Advisors to check what Tafe courses will be good introductions into particular courses at Murdoch.

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Are you a visual, audio, physical or verbal learner?



Click to see larger version


Everyone has different ways of learning and remembering things – some people find that they learn best by doing, where as others find success in re-reading information until it sticks in their brain.

Knowing and applying your study style can help you to remember information more effectively.

Here’s a look at some of the main learning styles and what study methods you can use to suit your style.

Use the diagram below to figure out your study style; you might find that you are a little of a few of these styles or that a different style works better for you in different subjects.

Physical

What you are like:

You prefer to learn by doing. You like to use your body and hands and might find yourself moving around a lot while studying. You are possibly the type who can listen to music while working, you like making things like building models and you may prefer hands on subjects such as drama, sports, art, construction and engineering.

Study tips for you:

• Combine your learning with physical activities; for example while you go for a run, swim laps or do karate chops revise information in your head.
• Take frequent breaks to move around (see our post about desk stretches and desk yoga).
• Move around while you study, make flash cards and flip through them while walking.
• Study with other people.
• Use big sheets of card or paper to write your notes on and use lots of colour.

Verbal

What are you like:

You find it easy to express yourself through writing and verbal communication. You like reading and writing and are good at remembering rhymes. You may find that you are attracted to public speaking and the debate team, English and journalism.

Study tips for you:

• Copy out all your notes and then read and re-read your notes silently. Keep your notes handy and read them whilst doing an idle activity such as sitting on the bus.
• Try and write down key points based on your memory and then check back to see if you got them right. When making notes of key information, use different words. 
• Speak your notes aloud (be dramatic and make it a speech or performance worthy of an Oscar) and incorporate rhymes or make up jingles.

Audio

What are you like:

You like to learn by listening and hearing information. You might find that you like being on stage, speaking in class and are good at explaining things and remembering people’s names. Let’s say you got lost on your way down to Southbound and needed to stop for directions,  you would find it easier asking someone to verbally explain the way to you, rather than reading a map. You possibly prefer to study with other people instead of alone and you may play an instrument (FYI this does not include guitar hero).

Study Tips for you:

• Revise with other people – have conversations about the information.
• Role play or turn main points into a song and use the tune to help you remember.
• Speak your notes aloud, record it and then play it back to yourself repeatedly.  This is a great way to sneak it into other activities, for example: headphones on while jogging, travelling in the car or doing the dishes etc...

Visual

What are you like?

You like colour and you understand information better when it’s presented in charts. You like to study in a quiet place and you like time to think about things.
You like things better when they have images and diagrams. You are good at visualising plans and have good spatial awareness. You may find that you have an interest in photography, art, design, film and architecture.

Study Tips for you:

• Use colour to separate out your notes e.g. use different coloured pens or highlighters for different subjects or topics or write on different coloured paper.
• Draw out information and use diagrams like our ‘know your heart’ poster
• Instead of writing all your notes in paragraphs try using a mind mapping technique – this could be as simple as getting A3 paper or card  and writing everything out in a ‘brainstorming’ fashion or you could get all specky and try this free mind mapping software. It’s super quick to download onto your computer and very easy (and fun!) to use.
• If remembering a process or sequence of events draw it out on a map or timeline.

What study style are you? Comment below.

For further reading on study styles visit Learning Styles Online .

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Studying can be a pain in the neck; try these simple stretches to improve your concentration

Sometimes when we have been sitting down for a lengthy period of time concentrating super hard on something, we forget how long it has been since we got up and had a move around. That’s when we start to get cricks in our necks, back pain, sore eyes and even headaches.

Ideally you will have put some time aside in your day to get some exercise – walking the dog, a game of soccer in the park with friends, karate chops, lawn bowls – whatever it is that gets you active and that will give you some personal time to rejuvenate, clear your mind and stay healthy, which all helps you study stronger when you sit back down to work.

Murdoch School of Chiropractic and Sports Science Dean and Associate Professor Brian Nook advises that you can "minimise your muscle fatigue and improve your level of concentration during your studies by maintaining good posture and regular stretching.”

We pulled together some handy guides below to help you to do this. Perhaps set intervals so you remember to move, for example every hour or at the end of a chapter, put down your pen and spend a few minutes stretching at your desk. It’s pretty simple and you will notice a world of difference!

Simple desk stretches for your back, neck, shoulders and eyes (yes! your eyes need exercising too!)
 

Click to enlarge image
From The Kikutown AV Club

Desk Yoga

Oh wouldn't it be nice if you could study in this environment? Maybe slightly destracting... but some really good strectches in this short video from yoga instructor Rodney Yee that will make your shoulders feel sooooooo much better! Namaste.

Desk excercises in under 5 minutes

These excerises from Woman's Day Health Editor are a bit more about building strength but this is important too and in the video she makes it really clear how to do the exercises and they are so simple!

 Let us know how these work for you and if you have any other great desk workout/stretch tips do share!

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