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New undergraduate curriculum
We have reimagined the Sydney Undergraduate Experience – the way we teach and the way you’ll learn – to prepare you for a future full of possibilities.
Changes to the curriculum from 2018 have brought simplified undergraduate offerings across our liberal studies award courses in arts, science and commerce. These award courses have:
- common definitions of course components (stream, program, major and minor)
- common course structures in each award course.
There are new opportunities to study or work with other disciplines and get involved with real-world projects and research.
As a current student, you don’t need to change your course or worry about your enrolment. You will continue to receive the highest quality learning experience, graduating from your current course with an award course that is internationally recognised from one of the world’s leading universities.
If you're currently studying a liberal studies course, you may have the option to apply to move to the new curriculum version of your course from 2018 with credit from your previous study.
The following information will give you some more context around the new curriculum, and what this means for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I continue with my current award course without any changes?
Yes. There is no need for you to change your course of study, your choice of major, or any plans that you have made to study for the remainder of your course.
Some award courses are available in a new version for students commencing from 2018 onwards. For example, the Bachelor of International and Global Studies has been transformed into the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (International and Global Studies).
If you are currently enrolled in one of these courses, such as the Bachelor of International and Global Studies, you have the option to undertake some components of the new curriculum in your current course and still graduate with the Bachelor of International and Global Studies.
Are there any changes to course fees?
Domestic contribution amounts and international tuition fees change every year. Changes from 2018 will be typical of rate changes in previous years and are not related to the new curriculum. Find out more about tuition fees.
Most new courses will have Year 3 available from 2019. This means if you’re a current student completing up to your third year of studies in 2019, you may be able to apply to move to the new curriculum version of your award course, subject to some conditions.
Contact us if you have any questions about your eligibility or how to apply. To apply, you will need to submit an internal course application in Sydney Student. In your application, select the course name that matches your current course, this will be the new curriculum version.
Courses introduced in 2018 will not have Year 4 units of study available until 2020.
Do I need to move?
No, the choice to change to a new curriculum version of your course is yours – subject to the eligibility requirements. The changes in 2018 allow you to continue and complete your current studies without any impact.
If you do change to a course in the new curriculum, you can’t go back to your previous course.
If I move to a new curriculum course version, can I get credit for units of study completed in my previous course?
Yes, but it’s important to remember that moving to a new curriculum version of your course does not guarantee credit for all of your previous study.
You should always carefully read the requirements for completing a new course before requesting to change course. The new course requirements will differ from those in your current course of study.
Are the same units of study available from 2018 onwards?
In most cases, yes. However, units of study are not always available each year and changes from 2018 are typical of previous years.
Can I do new units of study in my current course?
You can do some new units of study in your current course. The changes to courses are generally related to completion requirements, rather than all new units of study.
What is the Open Learning Environment?
The Open Learning Environment (OLE) is a collection of units of study that allow all students (undergraduate and postgraduate) to develop new skills and extend their knowledge by exploring other fields of study. The OLE provides opportunities to learn about diverse topics such as data science, research techniques, entrepreneurial thinking, ethics, team leadership, design thinking, intercultural communication and project management.
The OLE is made up of zero, two and six credit point units. From 2018, students enrolled in specific degrees are required to complete credit point OLE units. The Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook outlines these requirements.
Can all students access the OLE?
Yes. Zero credit point OLE units are available to all students, no matter when they commenced their studies. You can enrol in these units at any time for free. More information and a full list of zero credit point OLE units can be accessed through Canvas.
What is the Bachelor of Advanced Studies?
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies is offered in combination with a three-year course to create a four-year combined award course providing the opportunity to undertake honours study, advanced coursework, or major project work. The Bachelor of Advanced Studies is available in combination with the:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design Computing
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Visual Arts.
Combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies courses focus on disciplinary depth and cross-disciplinary problem-solving for real-world industry, community and research challenges and require students to:
- complete a second major
- take on more academically challenging coursework with 4000-level units of study
- complete either a research, industry, community or entrepreneurial project or an embedded honours research project.
4000-level units of study for combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies courses will not be available for selection or enrolment until 2020.
Can current students change into a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies course?
You may be eligible to change from your current three-year course, to a relevant four-year combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies course. For example:
- Bachelor of Arts to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies
- Bachelor of Commerce to Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies
- Bachelor of Science to Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
Your eligibility to change to a combined course that includes the Bachelor of Advanced Studies will depend on whether your progress throughout your current course and the units of study you have completed, meet the requirements for completion of the combined course.
If you're currently enrolled in Year 1 or 2 of a four-year undergraduate course, you may apply to the relevant four-year combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies course. For example, a first-year student in the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) may apply to change to the combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications). However, you cannot complete your current award and add the Bachelor of Advanced Studies as a fifth year of study.
Can I still do honours?
Yes, there are no plans to discontinue honours. If your current course offers you the opportunity to pursue honours and you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be able to do so. There is no need for you to change your course of study, your choice of major leading to an honours year, or any plans that you have made to study for the remainder of your course.
How can I gain professional accreditation in accounting?
CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Completion of an accredited course (including specified accredited units of study) entitles a graduate to associate membership of the local professional accounting bodies, CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).
The following courses at the University are accredited.
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Master of Commerce
- Master of Professional Accounting.
If you’re an undergraduate student and you want to achieve associate membership to one of these bodies, you should enrol in one of the above undergraduate accredited courses and complete the required accredited units of study.
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Alternatively, students may obtain exemptions from four foundation exams for accreditation through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
You can obtain these exemptions on the basis of a completed:
- Bachelor of Commerce (with a major in accounting)
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Commerce (with a major in accounting).
By completing additional accredited units of study, you may obtain exemptions for up to five further specific exams.
Completion of an accounting major or minor is not sufficient to satisfy professional accounting accreditation requirements with CPA Australia or CAANZ or maximise all available foundation exam exemptions with ACCA.
Find out more about professional accreditation in accounting.
How can I gain professional accreditation in psychology?
Completion of an accredited course entitles a graduate to accreditation from the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
The following undergraduate courses at the University are accredited.
- Bachelor of Psychology.
- Bachelor of Arts.
- Bachaelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
- Bachelor of Science.
- Bachelor of Science (Health).
- Bachelor of Science (Medical Science).
- Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
- Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science.
If you’re an undergraduate student and want to achieve accreditation in psychology, you need to enrol in one of the above accredited courses and take a program in Psychology.
Find out more about professional accreditation in psychology
Have postgraduate courses changed?
There are no changes to postgraduate courses as part of the reimagined Sydney Undergraduate Experience.
Additional information
Changing degrees
The Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) degree are not offered to new students from 2018. As a current student, you may be able to change to one of these degrees if you have completed at least 48 credit points towards the requirements of the degree. When you apply to change your course, a credit assessment will be completed to determine whether you’re eligible.
If you're currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) degree and want to change to the Bachelor of Commerce degree, you may be able to change to the pre 2018 version of the degree if you have completed at least 48 credit points towards the requirements of the degree. In other circumstances, you should transfer to the Bachelor of Commerce in the new (2018) curriculum. When you apply to change your course, a credit assessment will be completed to determine whether you’re eligible.
Core units of study
If you stay in your current degree, unless there are transitional arrangements in place, you will complete the core units listed for your degree in the handbook from the year you commenced your studies. Find out more about planning your course and advice on any transitional arrangements that apply to you.
Majors
If you stay in your current degree, you will complete the requirements for your major as outlined in the handbook from the year you commenced your studies.
Some existing units of study may have a different code, so you will need to enrol in the equivalent unit of study outlined in the transitional arrangements for Business majors. If one of your compulsory units has changed from a senior (2000-level) unit to a junior (1000-level) unit, this will still be counted as a senior unit if you are continuing in your current degree. Find out more in the transitional arrangements for Business majors.
Bachelor of Commerce requirements comparison table
| Requirements | Pre 2018 | 2018 onwards |
|---|---|---|
| Degree core units | 5 units required | 4 units required |
| Major 1 | Table A (Business School or School of Economics) major required | Table A (Business School) major or program required |
| Major 2 | Optional | Table A or Table S (other faculty) major 2 or minor required |
| OLEs | 12 credit points required (Table O) | |
| Maximum junior credit points | 60 credit points | |
| Minimum Business School credit points | 96 credit points | |
| Additional electives | Table A or selected units from other faculties (refer to relevant handbook) |
Last updated: 26 March 2020
