OUA FAQs

• Are there any pre-requisites to take a course through OUA?
• Are qualifications identical to those received on campus?
• What kind of support will I have?
• I am outside Australia. Am I eligible to study through OUA?
• What are the fees for OUA?
• Is there any financial assistance I can apply for?
• What kind of resources do I need to study online?

Are there any pre-requisites to take a course through OUA?

There are no age limits or other entry requirements for undergraduates. You can study at postgraduate level if you have already completed an undergraduate degree or have extensive working experience.

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Are qualifications identical to those received on campus?

Yes, your qualification will be identical to a qualification received on campus.

What kind of support will I have?

OUA students have access to a range of student support services such as online forums, study groups and the Open Universities Australia Students Association (OUSA). As an OUSA member, you'll enjoy extensive support services including free-call telephone advocacy, web based discussion forums, newsletters and monthly e-news, and helpful student representatives.

You'll also have library support from the university providing your unit, giving you access to relevant electronic databases and a digital reserve containing the readings for your unit.

OUA has also set up learning centres to provide tuitional and technical support for distance education students as well as venues for exams. There are learning centres in capital cities as well as regional hubs across Australia. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant if you need more information.

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I am outside Australia. Am I eligible to study through OUA?

Because OUA offers courses through distance education, you can study from anywhere in the world. If there are exams, you must find a suitable invigilator in your own country. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant if you need more information regarding this requirement.

What are the fees for OUA?

OUA's fees are among the lowest university distance education fees in Australia. OUA course fees are more reasonable than on-campus equivalents and cheaper than many private training providers.

Contact a SEEK Learning consultant for more information on OUA fees.

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Is there any financial assistance I can apply for?

FEE-HELP is available for all OUA courses. Almost every Australian citizen is eligible for Government assistance through FEE-HELP. This means you do not have to pay unit costs upfront, but can pay for your course as you earn.

Under current legislation, you don't make repayments until your income reaches a minimum threshold of A$44,912 per annum. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant if you need more information about FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible for Austudy, Abstudy and Youth Allowance. Applications for these are assessed by Centrelink, so you should contact your nearest Centrelink office to discuss your eligibility.

What kind of resources do I need to study online?

You'll need regular access to the Internet and an email address which will be used for correspondence. For a smooth learning experience, we recommend the following minimum computer specifications:

For PC users

• Pentium 3 or greater
• Windows 2000 or later
• At least 256MB RAM
• At least 1GB hard drive
• 56K modem or better
• 12x CD ROM drive or better
• Microsoft Office 2000 or later
• Internet Explorer (recommended browser) or Firefox
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (available free from the Adobe website)
• WinZip or similar file compression software
• A printer

For Mac users

• Macintosh G3 or better
• OS 9.2 or later
• At least 256 MB RAM
• At least 1GB hard drive
• 12x CD ROM drive or better
• Microsoft Office 2000 or later
• 56K modem or better
• Firefox (recommended browser) or Camino
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (available free from the Adobe website)
• WinZip or similar file compression software
• A printer

Contact a SEEK Learning consultant if you have any other enquiries.