Frequently Asked Questions
Answer:
As a member of the University of the Third Age ACT (U3A ACT) you are invited to 'audit units' at the University of Canberra.
'Auditing' is defined as listening. You may attend lectures but not necessarily attend associated tutorials, laboratory or workshop sessions. Assignments and examinations are not included, so no credentials or certificates will be issued. U3A ACT members can register to audit particular units.
Answer:
At some universities a unit may be called a subject, at others it may be called a course. A unit is the basic module for teaching and learning at the University of Canberra. Learners study units in a sequence to make up (say) a major sequence, or a minor sequence. They also may take ‘electives’ and together all these will make up their ‘course’ which results in their degree.
Units at the University of Canberra can be at one of three levels:
Level 1 is usually an introductory unit – so if a subject area is new to you a Level 1 unit is a good place to start.
Level 2 units sometimes have pre-requisites or co-requisites. As you are auditing a unit you don’t need to worry about these, but if you don’t have existing knowledge of the subject area it may make it more difficult for you to engage with the unit content.
Level 3 units are those generally undertaken in the third year of a course and assume students have developed a range of skills to support their success in university study. You can also audit post-graduate units. Although these units are offered at the post-graduate level and will assume competency in university study skills, the subject matter may be introductory as some post-graduate courses are designed for people changing careers, up-skilling or re-skilling.
Answer:
You can attend lectures in the units you audit. Lectures provide key information and a high level overview of the topic.
You may only attend tutorials/workshops with the permission of the unit lecturer. In tutorials and workshops activities might include small group work, practicing skills, presentations, discussions, simulations etc.
If you think you might like to attend the tutorials/workshops introduce yourself to the unit lecturer at the end of the lecture or contact them via email or phone. Their contact details and name can be found in the unit description in the Courses and Units database.
You can find unit information in the Courses and Units database at http://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/courses/find-a-unit
- Click on the Units button
- Type in the unit name or number
- Click on the magnifying glass icon to search
- Scroll down to find the unit
- Click on the unit title
The Unit Convener's contact details are listed under the Availability heading.
Answer:
UC has three main teaching periods: Semester 1, Winter Term, and Semester 2.
You can usually register four to six weeks before the teaching period commences up to the day of commencement.
U3A Commencement dates for 2024
- Semester 1 – 02 February 2024
- Winter term- 27 May 2024
- Semester2 - 29 July 2024
Answer:
The majority of full-time students study three units each teaching period as a full-time study load.
Each unit has approximately 150 hours of study associated with it. We suggest you start with one unit.
Although you can only audit 3 units per-semester.
Answer:
Registration usually opens four to six weeks before the teaching period commences. You can register up until the teaching period commences.
Commencement dates for 2024
- Semester 1 – 02 February 2024
- Winter term- 27 May 2024
- Semester2 - 29 July 2024
- Search for UC units through our Courses and Units Database (CUD).
- Click on the Units button underneath the Course Search box and type a keyword into the Search field, to find units in your area of interest – such as 'writing', 'art', 'biology', or 'international business'.
- Click on the Magnifying glass icon to search.
- Once the search is complete, scroll down to see the units which match your search keyword.
- Click on a unit title to see the unit description (syllabus), and other information to decide whether it's the unit for you.
- Check the "Availability" to see whether the unit is taught in Bruce, Canberra (or through one of UC's partner institutions located in Melbourne, Sydney, etc). Only units located in Bruce are available to audit by U3A members.
- Take a note of the four digit unit number and the unit title of the unit you want to audit - as you will need these to fill out the Registration Form. You will also need your U3A member number.
- Go to the Registration Form, fill it out and submit it.
When you have registered you will be sent an email from the University of Canberra. This email will be sent to the email address that you provided on the Registration Form.
The email will include your UC identity number and instructions on how to obtain a password and access UCLearn (Canvas).
Answer:
Not all tutorials and workshops will be available to U3A ACT members.
You may only attend tutorials/workshops with the permission of the unit convener. In tutorials and workshops activities might include small group work, practicing skills, presentations, discussions, simulations etc.
If you think you might like to attend the tutorials/workshops introduce yourself to the unit lecturer at the end of the lecture, or contact them via email or phone. Their contact details and name can be found in the unit description of the unit in the Courses and Units database.
You can find the Courses and Units database here.
- Click on the Units Radio button
- Type in the unit name or number
- Click the Magnifying glass icon to search
- Scroll down to find the unit
- Click on the unit title
The Unit Convener's contact details are listed under the Availability heading.
Answer:
As a U3A ACT member auditing a UC unit, you are not required to pay fees to the University of Canberra.
However, you must be a financial member of U3A (ACT). Membership to U3A is $AU25 per year and membership fees can be paid online at the U3A (ACT) website.
Answer:
Yes.
Once you have registered you will be added to the unit's UCLearn (Canvas) site. Please be aware that you will not have access to some of the resources within the Canvas site, e.g. Reading Lists and Lecture Recordings.
You will receive an email from the University within two working days of your registration being submitted. This email will include your UC identity number.
Wait 24 hours and ring Service Desk on 6201 5555, to obtain your password (you will need to have your UC identity number on hand).
You can then log in to the UCLearn (Canvas) website at http://uclearn.canberra.edu.au/ using your UC identity number and the password provided by Service Desk.
Answer:
Unit outlines are not available to U3A members though the UCLearn (Canvas) site, yet you may wish to ask the unit convener for a copy.
Answer:
You can do the assignments, but they will not be assessed.
Answer:
No. You are not examined in the units you audit.
Answer:
No. You do not receive any certificates or credit for attending the classes or auditing the unit.
Answer:
Yes. To borrow books from the library, you will need to go to the Library and fill out a Library External Membership Application Form.
- You may borrow a maximum of 10 items from the general collection
- You may renew items if there are no reservations on them
- You may place reservations on any general items that are out on loan
- You will be charged a replacement cost and processing fee for any item that you borrow which is lost, stolen or damaged
- Borrowing privileges are suspended when you owe $50 or more
Please Note: U3A members DO NOT have access to any e-books , e-journals, subscription databases or any of UC's copyright scanned collection database.
Answer:
Members of U3A ACT are not eligible for a UC student card.
Answer:
Once you have been contacted with your UC guest number and obtained your password from the Service Desk, you will be able to:
- Access the unit's UCLearn (Canvas) site;
- Access UC's WiFi network as a visitor;
- Attend lectures in the unit you are auditing;
- Register to borrow books from the UC Library.
Answer:
Yes. The WiFi is free.
Details on how to connect to WiFi are available at http://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/itm-notifications/communication/uc-wireless
Answer:
Any casual room bookings may be booked on request by sending an email request to timetable@canberra.edu.au
For information on how to book study spaces, please visit the following sites below:
For a map of campus please visit: http://www.canberra.edu.au/maps
Please note that some meeting rooms attract a fee for use.
Answer:
You will need to pay for parking using a credit card. Each car park has a boom gate and the payment is made by card as you exit the car park.
For further information including parking rates and where to park please visit: http://www.canberra.edu.au/parking
Disabled parking: Free disabled parking is avaliable near Building 1 along Kirinari St. If using the boom gated parking you will be required to pay.
Units in the Faculty Arts and Design are scaffolded, and we recommend in all disciplines that level 1 units are taken prior to enrolling in level 2 or 3. Please also note that our units offered at TAFE Queensland and the studio units in Canberra are highly practical and have restricted on-campus attendance, therefore these units (if not listed) may have limited online material available.