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Peer-assisted study sessions
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) is a free peer-facilitated learning program available to students enrolled in most core units of study in the University of Sydney Business School.
- What's involved
- Eligibility and registration
- Sessions and materials
What's involved
Online and on-campus sessions
In 2025 we will deliver our PASS program through both interactive online sessions and face to face, on campus sessions.
Registrations for Semester 1 will open 9 am, Monday 24 February 2025. PASS sessions will begin in Week 2 of Semester 1, Monday 3 March 2025.
You'll also have access to all PASS materials you need each week on our PASS Canvas site.
PASS involves weekly hour-long sessions where you work in groups of 10 to 16 students to answer specially prepared activities and problem questions, based around a Business School unit of study you’re enrolled in. Find a list of the units of study where PASS is available.
PASS doesn’t re-teach or deliver new content. It’s an opportunity to reinforce key points from lecture and tutorial materials while applying your skills to solve problem questions. The atmosphere of the sessions is relaxed, friendly and low-pressure and you’re encouraged to ask questions and raise concerns with content.
Sessions are led by trained PASS facilitators, who recently excelled in the same unit of study. The facilitator doesn’t re-teach lecture material, but rather guides group interaction and problem solving.
You work interactively with your peers, benefiting not only from group learning but also from the recent experience of your facilitator. As a peer group, generally you decide what is covered in each session. That way, PASS directly responds to your needs and feedback.
Find out about becoming a PASS facilitator.
When PASS sessions begin
Registrations for Semester 1 will open 9 am, Monday 24 February 2025. PASS sessions will begin in Week 2 of Semester 1, Monday 3 March 2025
All PASS sessions scheduled are indicated by Sydney local time.
Benefits of PASS
Statistics from previous years have shown that students who attend PASS regularly generally achieve higher grades in their PASS units than those who don't attend. They are also less likely to fail the unit.
Attending PASS regularly can also help improve your:
- academic performance. If you attend more than 10 sessions in a semester, you’re more likely to achieve a final grade in your PASS units of study approximately 8-20 marks higher than students who don’t attend PASS.
- ability to study effectively. Studying and collaborating with high-achieving peers and setting your own agenda are highly effective study techniques.
- transition to university studies and understanding of course expectations. By getting to know students across different years of your course, you can learn first hand about the University’s culture and expectations for learning.
- communication, team work, critical thinking and discipline-specific language skills. Studying with peers and regularly working in positive and productive team environments will help you develop a range of graduate attributes.
- experience of academic support. If you’re reluctant to ask your lecturer questions, PASS facilitators are an approachable alternative and many will have experienced the same problems you’re having. You can discuss these problems in a confidential and informal context. Regular feedback in a supportive, student-centred environment will also help you learn more effectively.
- learning autonomy. You’re encouraged to take responsibility for your learning and develop lifelong learning skills.
- self-confidence.
It’s also a great way to meet new people and make friends.
You don’t have to be ‘struggling’ to attend. PASS is for all students who want to improve their academic performance.
PASS units of study
PASS will be held for the following Business School units of study in 2025:
Undergraduate
- ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management
- ACCT2011 Reporting on Business Performance
- ACCT2019 Accounting Analysis for Management Decisions
- ACCT3011 Reporting on Business Groups
- BUSS1000 Future of Business
- BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis
- BUSS1030 Accounting for Decision Making
- BUSS1040 Economics for Business Decision Making
- CLAW1001 Foundations of Business Law
- FINC2011 Corporate Finance I
- FINC2012 Corporate Finance II
- INFS1000 Digital Business Innovation
Postgraduate
- ACCT5001 Foundation in Accounting
- ACCT6001 Financial Reporting and Analysis
- ACCT6008 Managerial Accounting and Decision Making
- BUSS5220 Responsible Business Mindset
- BUSS5221 Creative and Analytic Mindset
- BUSS6002 Data Science in Business
- QBUS5001 Foundation in Data Analytics for Business
- FINC5001 Foundation in Finance
Undergraduate
- ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management
- ACCT2019 Accounting Analysis for Management Decisions
- ACCT2011 Reporting on Business Performance
- ACCT3011 Reporting on Business Groups
- BUSS1000 Future of Business
- BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis
- BUSS1030 Accounting for Decision Making
- BUSS1040 Economics for Business Decision Making
- CLAW1001 Foundations of Business Law
- FINC2011 Corporate Finance I
- FINC2012 Corporate Finance II
- INFS1000 Digital Business Innovation
- QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics
Postgraduate
- ACCT5001 Foundation in Accounting
- ACCT6001 Financial Reporting and Analysis
- ACCT6008 Managerial Accounting and Decision Making
- BUSS5220 Responsible Business Mindset
- BUSS5221 Creative and Analytic Mindset
- BUSS6002 Data Science in Business
- QBUS5001 Foundation in Data Analytics for Business
- FINC5001 Foundation in Finance
Units from other faculties and schools
The Learning Hub (Mathematics) runs PASS sessions for a limited number of non-Business School units. Find out more about PASS for non-Business units.
Last updated: 03 December 2024
