Study essentials

Table of Contents

Introduction

Studying at university helps you grow in many ways, not just in learning about your chosen subject. During your degree, you will develop important skills like thinking carefully about ideas, working well with others, and speaking confidently in front of groups. Doing assignments and meeting deadlines will also help you get better at writing, communicating clearly, and managing your time. These skills are useful for both your future studies and your career.

However, university learning is different from what you may be used to in school or other places. Before you start learning the content of your course, it’s important to understand and get used to the systems and processes that you’ll be using throughout your time at university.

What you will learn

• Key parts of university life and what is expected of you as a student.
• How to use Blackboard and other online tools to find your learning materials and submit work.
• How to get ready for the semester and stay organised, including helpful tips for attending lectures and classes.
• What to consider if you’re studying online.
• Where to find support and help when you need it.

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  Preparing for study

From the time you first enrol to when you finish your degree, being prepared is one of the most important ways to stay on top of your studies at university.

Terms to know

While studying at Curtin, you’ll come across many new words and terms that might be unfamiliar at first. To help you understand them, read through the table or watch the video below. You can also find a full list of common university words on Curtin’s website.

Term	What it is
Academic integrity	Acting honestly, ethically, responsibly in all aspects of academic work. All students must follow Curtin’s academic integrity guidelines. All new students must complete the Academic Integrity Program.
Academic misconduct	Refers to conduct by a student that is dishonest or unfair in connection with any academic work including exams.
Census date	The date in the academic calendar to withdraw from any unit without financial and academic penalties.
Core unit	A compulsory unit within your course that will ensure you gain the necessary knowledge for your major.
Course	The program of study which leads to your degree, usually consisting of a range of units. You can be studying a single, single with minor/s, double major or double degree.
Course coordinator	The academic staff member responsible for managing your course. They can also help with study plans. To find the name of your course coordinator, check Blackboard, check your faculty’s website, or contact Curtin Connect.
Course switching	If you meet the criteria, you can change to a different course offered at Curtin. Curtin students can apply internally, and OUA students contact OUA directly to course switch.
Course Weighted Average (CWA)	A weighted average percentage score for all graded and marked units that you have completed in a course. This includes units credited as automatic credit or designated credit. Your CWA is included on your Academic eRecord and Academic Transcript. Each course you study will have a separate CWA.
Credit	How the value of a unit within a degree is calculated. Most units are worth 25 credits at Curtin and you need to achieve a specific amount to graduate. The amount of credits you need will depend on what you are studying.
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL)	Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing) is an application you can submit for unit exemptions based on previous study or experience completed.
eCAF	An electronic version of the Commonwealth Assistance Form for university course fees.
Elective unit	A unit that you can select from any school or discipline as part of your course, provided you meet the prerequisites.
Faculty	Broad areas of study within the University. Curtin has five Faculties: the Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Business and Law, Humanities, Science and Engineering, and Health Sciences.
Full/part time student	A full-time student studies four units per semester. A part-time student studies one-three units per semester. For OUA students, full-time is two units per study period.
Leave of absence	Taking a break from your course due to unforeseen circumstances. Curtin students can apply internally, and OUA students contact OUA directly.
Lecture	A large group presentation conducted by academic staff in some units. The academic staff that present these sessions can be called lecturers.
Library catalogue and databases	The searchable collections of resources provided by Curtin.
Major	The main discipline you are studying within your course. E.g., Creative Writing, Geography, or Health Sciences.
Minor/specialisation	Selection of four recognised units within a specific discipline.
Optional units	A specific list of units you can choose from as part of your course.
Prerequisite	Study you must successfully complete before enrolling in a subsequent unit, e.g. the UniReady Mathematics for Science unit satisfies the Mathematics Applications ATAR prerequisite for many courses.
Reading list	The list of essential and recommended resources selected by your unit coordinator for each unit. Resources could include textbooks, journal articles, videos or websites, among others. Readings and resources will be relevant to your assessments and exams.
Respectful Relationships	An online training program that most newly enrolled students will be required to complete during the first four weeks of their study.
SSAF	Student Services and Amenities Fee. This fee supports the provision of a wide range of non-academic services to all students. It is charged each Semester.
School	A department within a Faculty, e.g. School of Accounting in the Faculty of Business and Law.
Study period	The period in which the units for your course are delivered/offered. At Curtin there are a range of different study periods. Your studies may follow the semester calendar, with two 14-week study periods each year, the trimester calendar, with three study periods each year, or the OUA calendar with four 13-week study periods each year.
Terminated status	You are no longer allowed to continue in your current course due to not achieving satisfactory course progress.
Textbooks	A type of essential reading for your course, and will usually be listed in your unit outline, Reading List or the Library’s textbook finder. Remember to check if you can access the book via the Library before buying textbooks.
Tutorial	Small discussion groups led by a tutor. Each unit will usually have one tutorial per week. Tutorials involve a number of tasks and activities to help students develop their understanding of the content covered in the previous lecture.
Unit	A component of a course that covers one subject area in detail.
Unit coordinator	A subject expert who coordinates the whole unit, including the teaching materials, resources and assessments. The name and contact details of your unit coordinator can be found in your unit outline.
Unit outline	A resource for a particular unit that contains information on what you will learn and how you will be assessed.
Withdrawing	Cancelling a unit or course you were enrolled in. If you withdraw anytime after the census date, you are liable for the full fees. Curtin students can withdraw internally, and OUA students contact OUA directly.

Watch this YouTube video

Before semester

Getting ready before the semester starts will help you feel prepared when your classes begin. Following these steps early will give you a better chance of doing well.

Plan your units

You might already know which units you need to study, but choosing the right order can be tricky. Some units are designed for first-year students, while others have prerequisites. This means you may need to finish certain units before you can enrol in others. The best way to plan your course is to look it up in the Curtin Handbook and check the course structure. If you need help, you can contact Curtin Connect or your Course Coordinator.

When you’re studying through OUA, you need to enrol in your units through OUA directly. You should also download your degree guide from the OUA website. For more information visit the online study page.

Attend orientation

Orientation Week, or O-Week is a week-long event full of activities for new and current students. All new Curtin students are invited to join online or in-person workshops to help them get started with their studies.

If you’re studying through OUA Curtin offers an online OUA orientation.

Explore student essentials

Curtin’s student essentials webpage has useful information like how to order your student ID, important dates, forms you might need, and tips for managing your course.

Complete the mandatory online units

The Academic Integrity Program is a required online module for all new students. You may also need to complete the Respectful Relationships module depending on your units. If you don’t finish these modules, you may face restrictions, such as not being able to see your results. Make sure to check your Official Communications Channel on OASIS for updates.

Download free software

Curtin gives students access to a range of software for students. For example, you can download Microsoft Office for free and use other programs with your Curtin login.

Resource checklist

To help you manage your study time and other commitments, you should get ready before you start each unit and attend each class. This means planning ahead and organising what you need. Make sure you have downloaded these resources before you begin each study period.

Unit outlines

Each unit you study will have a unit outline. This document includes important information about the unit, such as assessments, weekly topics and readings, referencing style, and other key details.

The unit outline will also help you understand how much time you should spend on the unit. Each unit has a set number of hours you are expected to complete each week. This includes contact (class) hours and personal study time, where you will complete readings, research, and assignments. You should plan to spend about 10 hours per unit each week, but you should check your unit outline for exact details.

You can download the unit outline from OASIS under the My Studies tab one week before the study period begins.

You should use this document regularly throughout the study period. Make sure you record all important assessment dates in your calendar early so you can stay organised.

Weekly unit readings

Each unit will include a list of readings to help you succeed in your studies. Readings can include different types of resources, such as book chapters, journal articles, conference papers, websites, and video files. These readings are selected by the unit coordinator.

To access the Reading List for your unit, open Blackboard, select your unit, and click on the Reading List link in the left-hand menu. If you cannot find this link, you should ask your unit coordinator for help. The readings for each week may be divided into ‘essential’ (required) and ‘recommended’.

To learn how to read academic resources effectively, you should view the reading and note-taking guide.

Marking rubrics

For every assignment, you will be given a marking rubric. This rubric clearly breaks down the assessment task and explains the criteria you will be marked against.

To understand how to read and use your rubric, view the getting started guide.

Assignment information/requirements

Some assessments may include extra documents in addition to the information in your unit outline and on Blackboard. These documents may include a template for writing your assignment or a list of specific requirements you must include in your work. These materials are usually released closer to the assignment due date and can be accessed on the assignment page in Blackboard. If these materials are provided, you should download them, read them carefully, and use them throughout the assignment process to make sure you meet all assessment requirements.

Academic calendar

Another useful resource is the academic calendar. This calendar lists important dates, such as census dates and results publication dates. The default view shows the calendar by semester, but you can change this using the drop-down menu.

Using the academic calendar together with the information in your unit outlines will help you stay organised and on track throughout the semester. If you would like extra support with managing your time, you should view the study habits guide.

Accessing content

Whether you are studying on campus or online, you will need to use online platforms and spaces to access your course content and take part in your units and study. The two main platforms you need to know are OASIS and Blackboard. You can think of OASIS as your student administration platform, and Blackboard as your online classroom.

OASIS

OASIS is Curtin’s online student portal and is the main place to access important information, resources, and services. As part of Curtin’s policy, you must log in to OASIS at least once every seven days.

A range of services are available through OASIS. These include the official communications channel (OCC), your student email, events, news, and your student records, enrolments, and results. For more information, you can visit the OASIS help pages.

Click on the purple i buttons below to explore the features on your OASIS Welcome page.

H5P interactive activity

Blackboard

Blackboard is Curtin’s learning management system and gives you access to your unit content. This is where you will find your learning materials, assessment information and submission links, grades, discussion and collaboration tools, and other resources.

To access Blackboard, go to the My Studies tab in OOASIS. Then click the Blackboard button in the Important Links section at the top left of the screen.

Content in Blackboard is usually organised into topics or modules. Teaching staff will provide information and resources for each topic. Essential and recommended readings for each week are often included in a Reading List, which you can access from the menu in your Blackboard unit.

For more help using Blackboard, you can visit Curtin’s help guide.

H5P interactive activity

When you open one of your units, you will see a screen similar to the example below. On this screen, you can find your unit content organised into different sections listed on the left-hand side.

Note: This is only an example. Your unit may not include all of these sections, and it may also include additional sections. This will depend on how the unit coordinator has set up the Blackboard site.

H5P interactive activity

Microsoft Teams

Curtin provides students with free access to Microsoft Office. This includes Microsoft Teams. If your unit coordinator chooses to, they may create a ‘team’ for your unit. This allows you to communicate and collaborate easily with other students.

You can also use Microsoft Teams to stay organised. It includes features such as calendars and to-do lists. You can also use it to share documents and files with others.

For more information, including how to download and install the app, you should visit Curtin’s help guides.

Academic life

University study is self-directed. This means you are responsible for your own learning and success. You need to manage your time effectively so you can stay on top of your tasks.

There are several ways you can improve your experience. These will also help you develop useful skills that you can use in a professional setting.

Lectures

Lectures are presentations given by a subject expert on a specific topic. They can be delivered in person or online and are an important part of your study.

To get the most out of lectures:

• Before the lecture, complete any required pre-reading and review the presentation slides if they are available beforehand.
• Bring materials for taking notes. If slides are provided in advance, it can be helpful to add notes directly onto them during the lecture.
• Listen carefully for key information, such as main arguments, themes, and ideas that are repeated or emphasised.
• Reduce distractions. This may include turning off your phone, switching off Wi-Fi on your devices, or closing apps that may distract you.
• Review your notes after the lecture within 24–48 hours. This will help you remember the content and check that you have not missed anything important. Summarising the lecture in one paragraph or creating a mind map or concept map can help with this.

Classes

There are different types of classes, including tutorials, labs, seminars, and workshops. Each class type may run differently and include different activities. However, you should attend every class ready to participate and engage.

Many university classes use a ‘flipped classroom’ approach. This means you prepare before class, practise the content during class with others, and then review your understanding afterwards. This approach encourages you to ask questions and work with other students.

To get the most out of classes:

• Complete your weekly readings and take notes on the topic. If you are short on time, make sure you at least read the essential (required) readings. If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of reading, try reading strategically.
• Write down any questions or ideas you have about the topic, lecture, or readings. This will help you contribute to discussions in class.
• Be ready to speak and take part with your tutor and other students. Class time is a good opportunity to connect with others in your course and ask questions about the content or assessments. Engaging with others will help you get more out of your degree.
• Complete any required activities. Some classes may ask you to finish a task before attending to help you better understand the topic.

Online etiquette

As a university student, it is important to understand how to communicate and engage with the university, academic staff, and other students in a respectful and appropriate way, both in person and online. Communicating online is an important skill to develop. It will help you in your studies and in your future career.

Emails

No matter who you are emailing, it is important to be polite. Remember that anything you write cannot be taken back. When emailing academic staff, do not use slang and always address them using their correct staff titles.

When corresponding via email:

• Use your student email account to communicate with university staff.
• Include your student number in all emails, for example in your email signature.
• Include the unit code or a clear, relevant and concise title in the subject line.
• Check that you have attached all relevant documents before sending the email.

The contact details for your unit’s teaching staff are listed on Blackboard. Click on the applicable unit and then Contacts. Try emailing Unit Tutors/Unit Coordinators first. Unless otherwise specified, Course Coordinators are for queries relating to your entire course, such as study plans.

Discussion boards

Discussion boards may be set up by your teaching staff to support communication about topics and questions, share extra resources, and encourage students to engage with each other. The features available on the discussion board will depend on what your Unit Coordinator has enabled. In some units, contributing to the discussion board may be part of a marked assessment. This may include giving feedback to other students on their assignment ideas.

You are encouraged to use discussion boards to engage with other students, share useful resources, and organise study groups. When posting, you should always communicate in a polite and respectful way and stay focused on the topic.

Before emailing academic staff with a question, it is a good idea to search the discussion board first. It is likely that another student has asked a similar question and that it has already been answered by the tutor or other students.

Accessibility options

Ensuring you have the support you need will help you feel confident and ready to handle challenges in your studies. Curtin offers a range of support services through AccessAbility. If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition, or if you are caring for someone with a disability, you can apply for a Curtin Access Plan (CAP). A CAP is a document that outlines reasonable adjustments recommended to support your study.

There are also ways to make your study materials more accessible. For example, you can apply a dyslexia-friendly font to your readings, or use Adobe Acrobat Reader to have some PDFs read aloud.

File organisation

Throughout your studies, you will collect many files. These may include weekly readings, sources for assignments, and different versions of your assignments. To help you keep track of these files:

• Consider using cloud-based software, such as OneDrive or iCloud, to store your work. For more information on how to use these tools effectively, visit the 23 Things Cloud module.
• Set up your folder structure before your classes begin so you are organised from the start.
• EUse a clear and consistent naming system for your folders and files. This will make it easier to find what you need later.

Look through the activity below for examples of how to organise and name your files.

H5P interactive activity

Note: You may be required to name your assignments in a specific way before submitting them to Turnitin. Check your unit outline for detailed instructions.

Online study

Studying online has its own challenges. Learning how to take part in online learning will help you get the most out of your digital university experience. Like on-campus study, you will still have lectures and classes to attend, as well as assignments and other tasks to complete.

However, these classes and requirements may look different for online students. It is important to understand this as you plan your study. Communicating with your tutor, lecturer, and other students may also be different online. You may need to put in extra effort to stay active and take part fully in your units.

Considerations

Technical requirements

To study online you will need:

• a PC or laptop in good working order
• a PC or laptop with a camera
• a PC or laptop with a microphone, or headphones with a microphone
• a reliable internet connection

Note: To study online, you may need to download specific software to complete your course. Some of this software may not be compatible with smartphones or tablets, so you may need to use a computer.

Lectures

Lecture times for each unit will be shared through Blackboard, usually in the unit announcements. Each unit may organise lectures differently, and lectures may be held at different times and with different frequency. Teaching staff often schedule lectures after work hours so more students can attend.

Teaching staff will use either iLecture (Echo360) or Collborate (also called Collaborate Ultra) on Blackboard to deliver lectures. All lecture sessions are recorded. However, it is recommended that you attend live when possible, as this allows you to ask questions and receive answers straight away. Your unit outline should list the live lecture dates and times. If you cannot find this information, you should ask your unit coordinator.

Some tips to help you get the most out of your online lectures:

• Test your set-up before the lecture begins. This includes checking your audio and camera.
• Keep your microphone muted unless you are asking a question.
• Make sure you are in a quiet space, or use headphones with a working microphone.
• Make sure you know how to access the chat. You can use it to ask questions during the lecture so your lecturer can respond as they go.
• Avoid talking over others. There may be delays with internet connections, so wait until others have finished speaking.
• Use a note-taking method that works for you, and make sure you know where to find the lecture recording.

Discussion board

Discussion boards in Blackboard are commonly used in online units. Teaching staff often use them to share information, answer questions, and provide extra resources. You may also be asked to introduce yourself in a discussion board post. This is a good way to share what you are studying, what other units you are taking, and where you are based. You may find other students with similar study plans or in the same area and connect with a study partner.

Study hours

Like on-campus study, you need to manage your time well to succeed online. Online learning can be flexible, but you still need to make sure you have enough time for study. The number of hours needed will depend on your course, your units, and your study and assignment skills.

As a general guide, you should plan to spend about 10 hours per unit each week. This includes attending lectures and completing readings.

This number may increase during busy periods, such as before assessments, exams, or placements, and may decrease at other times. As you continue your studies, your understanding of assessments, readings, resources, and processes will improve. As a result, you may find that you need less study time.

For more information, complete the time management module.

Wellbeing

It is important for all students to look after their mental and physical wellbeing. This can be especially important for students studying online. You may sometimes find it hard to stay motivated or feel disconnected from others. However, there are steps you can take to stay on track and feel more connected during your studies.

Set up a positive study environment

You need to have a study space that supports your learning and helps reduce distractions. Think about where you are able to study and focus best. If you do not have a home office, this space could be in your dining room, a corner of your bedroom, a library, or a quiet café.

If your study space is at home, talk to your family or housemates about your study times so you are not disturbed unless it is necessary. If noise distracts you, you can use headphones to block sound, or play background music or white noise.

Make sure your chair is comfortable for long periods, the lighting is suitable, and you have access to power for your computer. To help you get into the right mindset for study, try to only do study-related work in your study space.

If you are a Curtin online regional student, you should check if there is a Regional University Study Hub near you and make use of their resources and study spaces.

Take regular breaks

The boundaries between your personal life, work, and study can easily become unclear. However, people are not able to focus for long periods without rest. It is important to take regular breaks and maintain a healthy balance by following your weekly study schedule.

If you have a busy study day, make sure you include time to stretch your body, rest your eyes, and drink water.

Get familiar with the online platforms

Take time during your first week to explore:

• The Curtin University website and forms
• The Library’s website and the catalogue
• OASIS
• Your Outlook student email
• Blackboard

You will spend a lot of time using these platforms during your studies. Knowing where to find information will help you feel more confident and reduce stress when looking for resources.

Participate live

Live lectures and tutorials are scheduled by teaching staff at different times during your units, often outside normal work hours. Although these sessions are recorded, you will benefit more if you attend live. This allows you to ask questions and receive answers immediately from your teaching staff. If you attend a live lecture, make sure you are prepared by completing any essential readings and having your preferred note-taking method ready.

Contributing to the discussion board in your unit will help you connect with other students, ask and answer questions, share resources, and organise study groups. If you have a question for your teacher, it is likely that other students also have the same question and will benefit from the answer. You should feel confident posting on the discussion board.

Check your Official Communications Channel and student email

It is a requirement of your studies at Curtin that you log in to OASIS at least once every seven days and check your Official Communications Channel for important updates. Checking your emails regularly will help you stay aware of messages from teaching staff, the university, and other students, especially if you are working on group assignments. Managing your emails is an important skill that will support your success at university and in your future career.

Open Universities Australia (OUA)

When you are studying through OUA, you need to enrol in your units directly through OUA. You can plan your units by logging into your account, searching for your degree, and downloading the degree guide or enrolment guide. Course Coordinators can provide specific information about your units, but they cannot help you with the enrolment process.

You can also access student counselling services through OUA. In addition, you can book a consultation with an OUA Student Advisor for support with enrolling and planning your studies.

Curtin offers a range of support resources for OUA students. However, it can sometimes be unclear whether you should contact Curtin or OUA for help

You should contact OUA if you need help with:

• your enrolment
• your unit and/or course fees
• course planning tools
• withdrawing from units and/or courses.

You should reach out to Curtin for assistance with:

• any disability and/or accessibility support you may need
• career advice
• any concerns you have about your wellbeing
• and any academic assistance you may need.

If you’re unsure, you should contact Curtin Connect or the Student Success Advisors with any questions.

Curtin has also created a helpful OUA student guide to answer your OUA-related questions. This guide includes a checklist for new students to follow, which will help you to get the best possible start to your studies.

For more information, watch the video below.

Watch this YouTube video

Extra support for regional students

Regional and Suburban University Study Hubs

Regional University Study Hubs (RUSHs) are available in many country towns across Australia. There are also Suburban University Study Hubs (SUSHs) in suburban areas that may not be close to a university. These spaces are free to use and are open to students from any Australian university. They provide access to:

• computers and monitors
• stable internet
• meeting rooms
• quiet spaces to work
• support staff who can assist with general queries
• academic skills and other online workshops.

RUSHs also often organise information sessions and social events. These events help students build connections with others and feel less isolated while studying in regional areas.

View the map of study hubs to find your nearest hub.

Support services

It is important to ask for help when you need it. Curtin offers a wide range of support services that can help with different types of issues you may face. The services available to you may depend on your mode of study, so you should check the tags next to each service to make sure you can access them. These tags are:

• OUA for those services available to OUA students,
• Online for those services available to online students, and
• On Campus for those services available to on-campus students.

General guidance

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Curtin Connect s your main point of contact for general enquiries. This includes questions about enrolment, admissions, international student needs, IT support, and Future Students information. If you are an OUA student, you will need to send any enrolment or admission questions directly to OUA.

• OUA OUA can help with enrolment, fee information, course planning, withdrawing from units, and provide personalised advice about your studies.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Student Success Advisors offer free and confidential support. They provide personalised guidance to help you adjust to university and succeed in your studies.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Guild Student Assist is a free support and advocacy service provided by the Student Guild. Student Assist Officers are independent from Curtin University. They offer confidential and unbiased support, and can help with personal, financial, or academic issues.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Curtin’s Student essentials page has a wide range of useful information. This includes how to manage your course, order your student ID, get travel concessions using your SmartRider (for Western Australian students), and find important forms or documents you may need during your studies.

Wellbeing and community building

• OUAOnlineOn Campus The Student Wellbeing Advisory Service is a free and confidential service for all Curtin students. If you are struggling with study or a personal issue, or you just don’t know where to go or who to ask, our Student Wellbeing Advisors can help.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus AccessAbility is a service for those with a disability, physical or mental health condition, or caring for someone with a disability. AccessAbility can help you access a range of support services, including a Curtin Access Plan (CAP), which is a document that outlines reasonable adjustments recommended for a student.

• OUA The OUA counselling service provides free appointments with professionally-qualified counsellors appointed through OUA. This short-term, solution-focused service can help you work through stresses relating to student life, deal with study anxiety, look after any health or welfare issues that are affecting your studies, and manage your work, study and life balance.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Curtin Life Australia is available on Instagram and YouTube and is a go-to place for university updates and inspiration. The accounts also feature your fellow students and what they’re up to, and opportunities available for you.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus There are a range of counselling and wellbeing resources detailing how Curtin and your wider community can support you, including with mental health, sexuality, and gender diversity.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Group programs and workshops, webinars, seminars and support groups are available to help you with topics like procrastination, stress, and mental health.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Guild Student Assist is provided by the Curtin Student Guild and coordinates services and activities to represent you, the students! All Curtin students are automatically members with access to free Student Assist services, clubs, giveaways and more.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus The New to Curtin Mentor program provides new students with one-on-one peer support throughout the semester. Mentors will show you the ropes and help you get started.

• OnlineOn Campus Social workers are available to help with your living situations, finances or relationships, or if you need to make plans to extract yourself from stressful or dangerous personal circumstances. Appointments are free and confidential for all Curtin students.

• On Campus The Curtin University Health Service medical centre has a team of dedicated health professionals to meet your medical needs on campus. They are an accredited medical practice and strive to deliver quality care, with compassion and commitment.

• On Campus Psychological and Counselling Services are provided in a safe, professional environment to deal with any issues affecting your life or study. They can provide a confidential service that focuses on short-term therapy.

• On Campus Café Connect provides an introduction to #CurtinLife where students connect, engage with guest speakers, and enjoy free snacks and drinks on Tuesdays each week throughout the semester.

Developing your academic skills

• OUAOnlineOn Campus The Curtin-provided version of Grammarly can provide suggestions relating to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The Curtin-provided version is the only version of Grammarly permitted for use at Curtin. If you plan to use it make sure you sign up via the Blackboard link; you’ll find it by selecting institution page in the left hand menu and then scrolling down to library & study support.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Library workshops are offered in-person and online, and cover various topics including referencing, academic writing, digital skills, and time management.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Peer Academic Mentors (PAMs) are current Curtin students excelling in studies across a variety of disciplines. This free academic mentoring service can provide you with tips and advice to excel in your studies.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus UniPASS is a free program of study sessions facilitated by students and designed to help you maximise your grades and strengthen your study skills. UniPASS is only available for selected units in each faculty. If UniPASS is run online in your unit, you will be able to access the sessions via Blackboard Collaborate. 

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Faculty based academic and English language development programs are available to help students develop their faculty-specific knowledge and skills. Curtin’s five faculties are Business and Law, Health Sciences, Science and Engineering, Humanities, and the Centre for Aboriginal Studies.

Financial support

• OUAOnlineOn Campus There is a range of disability employment support available to help students with disability and health conditions connect to career development programs and employment opportunities.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Financial advice and support is available if you are dealing with financial issues. Examples of support include help with job searching, scholarship assistance, information on housing and transport, and guidance at tax time.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Curtin has a range of agreements to provide free and discounted software to students such as Microsoft Office and the Adobe Suite.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Discover scholarships that suit your individual circumstances. With support from generous donors, external organisations, and the Australian Government, the opportunities are limitless.  

• On Campus Student Assist’s Loan Laptop Program is here to support students who may find themselves without access to a laptop or home computer due to unexpected circumstances.

Career support

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Curtin Careers allows you to speak with a Career Development Consultant to discuss career pathways and possibilities, building your experience and networks, job search strategies, and tips to increase your employability skills.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Curtin Extra is a program that recognises students that contribute to co-curricular programs. It can help you to develop transferable skills to complement your academic achievements and expand your social and professional networks.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Mentoring is a great way for you to connect and grow your skill set, whether you are being mentored by other people, or mentoring for other students.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus UniHub is an online platform which provides Curtin students access to a range of career-related support and services. Through UniHub, you can book online consultations with the Curtin Careers team and keep up with online events.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus With a diverse range of employment opportunities both on and off campus, Earn While You Learn allows you to secure paid work that fits around your study load, while building relevant work experience and employability skills.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus edX is an online educator provider founded by Harvard University and MIT. edX’s massive open online courses (MOOCs) are short courses that you can complete anywhere, anytime, ideal if you want to upskill in a particular career area. Curtin offers a variety of MOOCs in areas relevant to today’s workforce.

• On Campus Curtin Volunteers! provides volunteering and leadership opportunities that will enhance your student experience while benefitting the wider community.

• On Campus Leadership development opportunities covering a range of areas are available to help you learn valuable skills, boost your employability and get you involved in university life and the community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources

• OUAOnlineOn Campus You may be eligible for ABSTUDY Financial Support from the government to help support you while you study. ABSTUDY can help you with your costs for education, accommodation, living, travel expenses, and prescription medicines.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus The Centre for Aboriginal Studies runs the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS), a student-driven tutoring program to help you with your study and assignments.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus The Curtin Student Guild has a First Nations Department Officer to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are well represented and supported.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus Health Sciences Indigenous student support can help with navigating the transition to university, academic support and guidance, advocating on your behalf to staff, and connecting with the Koorda Network.

• OUAOnlineOn Campus A range of scholarships are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. You can search all scholarships, or learn about Commonwealth scholarships available to Indigenous students.

• On Campus Aboriginal Student Placement Program (ASPP) is a free program, aimed at assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curtin students to gain paid on-campus employment.

• On Campus Indigenous counselling services is a specialised service for Curtin’s Indigenous students and staff. Simone Harrington, an Aboriginal psychologist, works from both the Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS) and the Psychological and Counselling Service and provides a safe, confidential, professional and free place to talk.

• On Campus The Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS) runs Indigenous-focused courses and research at Curtin, but the Centre is also a base on campus for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. No matter which faculty you’re studying with, you can drop by CAS (B.211) to get support, socialise, attend events, and use the computer lab and common room.

• On Campus Whadjuk Malayin Miya is located on level 7 of the library. It’s a great space to study, hang out and access community support.

Check out Curtin’s study support page for more information.

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