Welcome to Murdoch University .................................................................................................1
Introduction to External Studies ...................................................................................................2
What are my motivations to study?
Why study externally?
Benefits of Studying Externally
External vs internal Study
What technical resources do I need to study externally?
What are On-Campus Intensives?
What are my accommodation options when I come to Murdoch?
Thinking about Relocating to Perth?
How to be a Successful Student – Part I: Before the Semester Begins ..............................5
How do I know if I am Study-Ready?
How can I make sure I have a good work-life-family balance?
Create your study space
How can I get myself ready academically?
Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP)
What things must I do before I start uni?
Orientation
Student ID card
Booklist
What other things can I do to get myself ready for study?
Parking
Free Software
What are you studying? - Understanding the Structure of a Murdoch Degree ...............7
Teaching Periods
Modes of Study
Degrees, courses and majors
Double majors
Minors
Units
Part I and Part II units
Core units and Electives
Prerequisites
Receiving Credit for Prior Study – Advanced Standing ...........................................................9
Murdoch Online .............................................................................................................................. 10
MyMurdoch
MyInfo
MyUnits
Learning Management System (LMS)
MyAnswers
Lecture Capture System (LCS)

Murdoch Staff and You ..................................................................................................................11
Tutor
Unit Coordinator
Academic Chair
Supervisor
How to be a Successful Student – Part II: What to Expect During the Semester .......... 12
How can I get myself organised, time-wise?
How do I participate in Lectures and Classes online
How can I best engage online with my LMS?
What can I do to enhance my online learning?
What are Unit information and Learning Guides (UILG) useful for?
How can external students use the Library?
How do I ask for help or support if I need it
Assessments ..................................................................................................................................... 15
What are assessments?
I’m having difficulties with my assessments, where can I get help?
How do I submit my Assessments?
Can I get my assessments returned to me?
Exams..................................................................................................................................................17
General Information about Exams
How do I get ready for Exams?
Where can I sit my exams?
How and when do I get my Exam timetable?
What can I bring into the exam?
What can I do if something happens during the exam?
Exam Results
I have a disability and/or medical condition, how do I take my exams?
Support Services ............................................................................................................................. 18
The Student Centre
Transition and Retention Officers
Student Financial Support Office
Student Advisors
Murdoch University Health: Counselling Service
Murdoch University Health: Medical Service
Centre for University Teaching and Learning (CUTL) – Academic Support
Equity and Social Inclusion
Careers and Employment Centre
Student Guild
IT Support
Important Dates ............................................................................................................................. 20
Last Day to Enrol in Units
Census Date
Last Day to Withdraw from units without academic penalty
Exams
Motivation for success ................................................................................................................. 21
How can my family, friends and/or partner help?

Congratulations and welcome to the exciting journey of university studies.
To make your transition to uni as easy as possible, we have created this External Student’s guide to give you insider’s advice on how to be a successful external student. Whether you are going back to study after a long time, looking for a new challenge or are embarking on your university journey for the first time, this guide will be useful to you.
From learning about your field of study and absorbing new information, to learning how to research using the library and adjusting to a new routine, studying can be challenging, stressful, and awesome all at the same time.
In this guide, you’ll find useful information to get you started in your first semester and throughout your degree.
We look forward to hearing your stories and helping you along your journey.
On behalf of Student Services, good luck!
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Use this section to list the three main reasons and motivations for studying at university:
1.
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3.
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Studying externally opens up opportunities for many different people who might not have thought it possible to study at university. Whether you are just doing one unit or four units, external studies will give you a taste of what university studies have to offer and open your mind up to learning in a different environment.
Studying externally is popular because:
• it’s flexible,
• you can study from home and work around your other commitments,
• you can choose your preferred hours and study when it suits you,
• you can access all of your course and study information in one place,
• the online system is user friendly,
• you can get the support you need to assist you with any advice, difficulties or enquiries you may have during your studies,
• connect with online users in a friendly, open, safe online space,
• you are treated like an internal student and can still come on to campus for support, events, lectures, and activities if you live centrally.

Studying externally means that you will study all or some of your units required for your course, online. You do not have to come onto campus to attend any formal classes on specific days and times, but you will be expected to engage with your unit(s) and participate in discussions online.
You are free to spend as much time as you need for your unit(s) and schedule lectures around work or home life. You are still able to attend lectures on campus if convenient to you.
Studying internally means you will study all or some of your units on-campus. You will have a timetable where you will attend lectures and tutorials/labs/workshops at set venue and participate in class face-to-face with other students and Academics. Most students studying full-time are on campus three to four days per week.
It is important to note that External Study is just as demanding as Internal Study. You can change from external studies to internal studies throughout your degree if you choose.
If you are studying externally, there will be an online network of other students studying with you, so you won’t be alone! Why not connect with others in your online class and meet for coffee, or set up a study group at your local library?
All students, regardless of their location or mode of study, need to have access to and be able to use computing devices with browsing capability and a connection to the Internet via Broadband
(Cable, ADSL or Mobile) or Wireless.
The Internet connection should be readily available and allow large amounts of data to be streamed or downloaded (approximately 100MB per lecture recording). Students also need to be able to enter into online discussions and submit assignments online.

You may wonder how you are able to complete practical work such as laboratories or placementsespecially if you are studying Science or Education.
For some units, external students must attend compulsory on-campus laboratory sessions or placements. These labs are done ‘intensively’ over two to four days, or up to two weeks depending on the unit. During this time, you would be expected to come to Perth and study on campus.
Certain units may also require you to attend practicums on campus or at another location, undertake work-experience, conduct research, or complete field-work.
It is important to plan ahead if your units have intensives. Lock these dates in your schedule so you can organise things such as transport and accommodation ahead of time. Information about parking can be found in Chapter 2-How to be a Successful Student-Part 1: Before Semester
Begins
For more information about Intensives refer to your Unit Guide or contact your tutor at the beginning of semester.
On Campus:
Carry out your intensive program and experience
Murdoch University Village life! Murdoch
University Village provides affordable short stay accommodation for intensive programs and exams!
The Murdoch University Student Village provide a short stay experience that is unlike anything offered at a traditional hotel. Located just minutes from the University’s facilities, it’s the perfect place for you to study while living in supportive, friendly and safe community.
For more information about the Murdoch
University Student Village, phone 08 9630
2909 or email info@murdochuv.com.au
Off Campus:
The Student Guild has an Accommodation
Database where you can search through a list of vacant properties and house shares available.
Alternatively, you could make arrangements with friends or family or take a look at some other short-term accommodation options.
If you are thinking about moving to Perth and might be considering switching to Internal Studies contact a Transition and Retention Officer (TRO) so we can assist you with your transition to Perth and university life.
For more information about TROs, see Chapter
10-Support Services

To be a successful university student, you need to get yourself fully prepared before you begin studying. You may want to review and make some changes to your current finances, physical and mental wellbeing and your academic and personal skills to support your learning. You may also need to consider your work and family commitments, and if you will need more support from friends or family while you study.
The flexible nature of external studies is a real positive. That said, you must have good motivation and drive in order to commit your time and energy toward your studies. Being organised is really important to succeed; you must be able to work independently and manage distractions in your own study environment.
Make sure to complete the ‘How Ready are you for
Uni’ questionnaire which will be emailed to you in the lead up to semester.
Before you begin studying, you should look at how much time you spend on personal, family, social and work commitments. This will be an important measure because it will help you decide how much time you can then spend on studying and thus how many units to enrol into each semester.
As your personal commitments change, the time spent on study and the number of units you enrol into can change as well.
Having a conversation with your family, friends and employers about the time needed for your study will be a good way to manage their expectations whilst you are studying. First semester will give you an idea of the requirements of university study and over time you will get an idea of what works for you as you settle into a study routine.
Dedicate a ‘study zone’ in your home that has a desk or table for your computer, a comfortable chair, and a door that can be closed. You may also find it helpful to place a sign on the outside of your door when you are studying. Stock your study space with enough pens, highlighters, sticky notes and other stationery that you need.
University is an adult learning environment, which means you are fully responsible for your own learning. To get myself ready academically I will need to:
Make sure I have good reading and writing skills.
Tip: Check out the CUTL quick tips:
Make sure I have basic IT knowledge such as knowing how to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and internet browsing software such as Internet
Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari.
Make sure I have basic knowledge in mathematics and/or science. If I am studying a science or mathrelated course.
Tip: Check out the CUTL Numeracy resources
Make sure that I am familiar with the information in my unit guides, and prepare for all my important deadlines.
Complete Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP).
MAP is an online module which is designed to introduce you to good academic writing, including referencing and paraphrasing. It will give you an understanding of academic integrity and make you aware of how to avoid plagiarism. The module should take about 90 minutes to complete and ideally you should complete it before you commence your studies.
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Participate in Orientation activities: There is a
Saturday orientation session designed for external students or those who are unable to make the regular session due to other commitments. Also, all of the orientation sessions are recorded, so if you are unable to come along in person, you can listen to them online. See the Orientation website for more information.
Get your Student ID card - If you live within
30km of campus, you can obtain a Student ID card by going to the Library’s IT Service Desk. You can also pre-order your card and have it ready for pickup next time you are on campus. Simply submit your photo and Student Number via email to itservicedesk@murdoch.edu.au
.
If you live further than 30km from campus, you can complete a Student ID application form and it will be mailed to you.
Your Student ID card also serves as your library card. You will need it to borrow materials from the library and as identification for exams. You might also be able to use it for student discounts.
Get your booklist
Most units have materials that you are required to purchase. You can find a complete list of these materials including prices and details on how to order online by typing in the unit codes into the
Bookshop website .A list of the required materials can also be found in your Unit Guides.
A second-hand bookstore run by the Student Guild is located on the South Street campus. Contact them at (08) 9360 6776 or shop@the-guild.
com.au
• Get my finances in order : The team at
Murdoch’s Student Financial Support have got some great resources available for students with tips on budgeting, saving and stretching your dollar. Send an email to sfso@murdoch.
edu.au
for more information, or see Chapter
10-Support Services
• Get free software: Microsoft Office 365
ProPlus is a full version of the Microsoft Office suite (including Word, Powerpoint and Excel) which is available free of charge to all enrolled
Murdoch University students. Each student is allowed to install Microsoft Office on up to five devices (Windows, Mac, iPad, Android). For more information, including how to get Office
365 ProPlus for free, see MyAnswers :
• Get fit physically and mentally: Visit our
Counselling website for some information sheets about common things that students might go through. You can also check out some of the external resources on their website such as the web links and mindfulness apps. Murdoch University does have a gym on campus which students can join for a discounted rate, otherwise why not try a daily walk to clear your head and get your blood flowing!
• Visit campus
If you are located nearby, it might be worthwhile to have a visit to the South Street campus to familiarise yourself with The Student
Centre, the Library and the bookstore. You may also have your exams on campus so you will need to know your way around.
• Check out the Library: External students have full access to the on campus library and are welcome to study inside in one of our comfortable study spaces at South Street,
Rockingham and Peel libraries . For more information see Chapter Seven: How to be a Successful Student – Part II: What to
Expect during the Semester
• Parking Permits: If you need to drive to campus, you have a variety of parking options.
Ticket machines are available in each car park for an hourly rate. Individual day permits and semester-long permits can be purchased at
The Student Centre. External students can purchase special weekly permits at a cheaper rate from the Student Centre.

This chapter will help define some of the language used to describe your degree, and help you enrol in the right type of subjects to make the most of your degree.
Teaching Periods
The academic calendar is divided into teaching periods. The most common teaching periods are semester one (S1) and semester two (S2) and the summer and winter teaching periods.
Most Murdoch courses will run units in S1 and S2.
However some units in Education, Nursing and
Chiropractic Science are run in different teaching periods.
Modes of study
‘Modes’ of study indicate the way in which you will take the unit i.e. internally or externally
As an External student, you should only enrol into external units (X) and not internal units (D).
Degrees, Courses and Majors
A degree is a type of qualification awarded by a university, typically requiring at least two or more years of full-time study. Murdoch offers seven types of undergraduate degrees:
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Engineering
• Bachelor of Law
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Bachelor of Science
There are numerous types of postgraduate degrees.
A student studying a Bachelor of Science could be majoring in a specific area such as Biological
Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Science, etc.
These specific areas are called majors and you can enrol in more than one major. This can also be referred to as your course of study.
Do remember that during your degree it is possible to change degree/majors to suit your interests or goals. If you think you want to change, call the Student Centre about how to do this or submit a question to MyAnswers.
Students who choose to specialize in two different areas often complete two majors, also referred to as a double major . For example students studying a Bachelor of Arts can major in both
History and Philosophy.
In most cases students completing a double major will be able to complete their degree in the same amount of time as a single major. Students considering a double major must speak with a
Student Advisor upon commencement of study to ensure that they select the correct units.
Join the online communities for peer support.
Like us on Facebook-Murdoch University
External Student Support.
https://www.facebook.com/
Murdoch-University-External-Student-
Support-915828085116111/
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Students who wish to take several units in a specific area of study can complete a minor.
A minor requires significantly fewer units than a major (typically four to six), and is officially recognized on your university transcript upon graduation. Minors can be in a field not related to your major. For example, students can major in
Journalism and Minor in Environmental Science if that is where their interests lie.
The individual subjects that make up your degree are called units. Each unit has a unit code and name, for example PSY101: Introduction to
Cultural and Community Psychology.
Most units are worth three points each, and therefore full-time students typically complete four units or 12 points each semester. Part-time students typically complete two units or six points each semester. Each unit is comprised of one or more lectures per week, plus a workshop, tutorial or laboratory session.
Part I units are units for first year students. They have unit codes beginning with 100. Part II units are units for second, third and fourth year students and have unit codes of 200-400.
Example Part I unit codes:
EDN111, MAS164, PSY101
Example of Part II unit codes:
EDN221, MAS351, PSY388
Core units are units that you must complete in order to graduate in your chosen course. For example a core unit of the Bachelor of Science in
Environmental Science is ENV102 Foundations of the Environment. As core units are compulsory, you must complete ENV102 in order to complete this course.
Specified Electives are compulsory units that students are required to select from an approved list. These units are related to your chosen course of study.
General Electives are units of your free choice.
You may use them to construct a second major or minor. These units do not need to be related to your course of study.
Some units have pre-requisites. These are other units you must complete before being allowed to enrol. For example you must complete BIO152
Foundations of Cell and Molecular Biology before being allowed to enrol in BIO246 Microbiology I.
Therefore BIO152 is a pre-requisite for BIO246.

If you have completed a Diploma or higher or previously attempted University, then you may be eligible to Advanced Standing towards your
Murdoch University course. Advanced Standing can reduce your course by awarding you with credit and exemptions for specific units, or remove the need to study a Major Prerequisite due to preclusion.
In some cases Murdoch University can recognise informal or non-formal learning based on relevant professional experience. Students who would like an advanced standing assessment should complete one or both Advanced Standing
Forms located under Credit and Exemptions on the Useful Forms website .
For more information about Advanced Standing visit the Advanced Standing Website .

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MyMurdoch is your gateway to accessing the many online resources available to you as a Murdoch student. Through MyMurdoch you have access to MyInfo, MyUnits and MyAnswers. These pages also include the Official Communications Channel
(OCC) where you will receive important University messages. Check out the video presentation which gives a complete overview of all Murdoch’s online portals.
MyInfo is the online student portal where you can access and modify all of your information related to enrolment and fees. You can update your contact details, enrol in and change your units, sign-up for classes (tutorials, workshops and labs), change from internal to external study mode, register your TransPerth Tertiary SmartRider, check your unit results at the end of each semester, pay your fees and more.
MyUnits is the online student portal where you can access your online learning materials. This includes individual webpages for each unit that you are enrolled in, lecture recordings, and a personal calendar containing your timetable.
The Learning Management System (LMS), sometimes referred to as Moodle, is your online virtual classroom. Accessible through MyUnits,
LMS contains all of the important information and helps guide you through the units you are studying during the semester. Included on the LMS are Unit
Information and Learning Guides, lecture slides, a discussion forum where you can chat with other students and other electronic resources (such as reading materials) related to the unit.
LMS might look slightly different for each unit depending on how your lecturers choose to lay it out. Make sure you have a good look at each unit’s
LMS page to know what to look for when you need it. There are online tutorials for LMS called Using
Educational Technologies which can be found at the LML101 website , or via the Help & Support >
LMS Help for Students menu at top of each
LMS page.
MyAnswers is an enquiry tool that can assist you to find the answers you need, when you need them. You can access the MyAnswers database which contains information on a variety of topics.
Alternatively you can click on the ‘Ask a Question’ tab and send a question direct to our Student
Centre. A staff member will then get back to you through email, usually within 24 hours.
The Lecture Capture System (LCS) contains recordings of your lectures, and is accessible through LMS. You can either stream audio or video recordings with a live internet connection, or you can download them to your computer or tablet to watch later. They are usually available on LMS within 24 hours of being recorded.

Tutors are staff members who teach your workshops, tutorials and/or labs. You will be assigned a tutor for each unit you are enrolled in, regardless of whether you are enrolled internally or externally. Your tutor can often be the first point of contact for any questions you have about your unit. They also mark your assessments.
To find your Tutor’s details, look in your Unit
Guide or on the LMS
Unit Coordinators are staff members who are in charge of a specific unit. They manage the content and the assessments in the units they coordinate. Your unit coordinator is often your lecturer and may also be your tutor. If you have questions about the content or assessments in your units, you can contact your unit coordinator by phone or email.
To find your Unit Coordinator’s details, look in your Unit Guide or type in the unit code in the
Handbook .
Academic Chairs are senior academic staff who are in charge of a particular course, major or minor. They can provide complex course advice about double majors and minors, can approve late enrolments into units, and assess course transfer applications.
Contact your Academic Chair by telephone or email.
Students enrolled in certain courses with a research component will be assigned a supervisor.
Your supervisor will typically specialize in a related area to your research. They normally approve your topic, and will support you with your research.
Honours students normally arrange their own supervisor before studies begin.

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Being able to manage your time is very important when studying at university. Juggling the competing demands of life and university study is going to require you to be organized. To make sure I can get myself time ready I will need to:
• Aim to spend approximately 10 hours per week on study for each unit that I am enrolled in.
The 10 hours per unit may include:
• Reading the lecture slides before watching the lectures online,
• Getting familiar with unit content by completing my required readings before I listen to weekly lectures,
• Listening to my lectures online and taking notes,
• Revising and rewriting my notes,
• Participating in online discussions and completing tasks on the LMS,
• Researching and writing assessments,
• Preparing for exams.
• Schedule in my assessment and exam dates on a calendar/wall planner and put it somewhere visible in my study space.
Tip: Purchase an A2 wall planner (Principal
Dates calendar) from the bookstore.
• Use a diary to create a weekly study schedule that you can change/edit when required.
Tip: Download a diary app for your smartphone
As an external student you will be expected to actively engage within the online environment. To be fully engaged and give yourself the best chance of success you should:
• Listen to your online lectures each week
• catch up with any lectures you have missed within that same week
• make sure you are contributing regularly with other students through online posts and online discussions on LMS
• Try to login to LMS at least every other day
If you are doing four units a semester you’ll need to treat your study like it’s a full-time job with at least 40 hours of study.
As soon as you receive your unit guides with all of your assignment dates, add them into your planner. Make sure that you also include any time spent on work & family commitments, chores and leisure time.
Tip: Check out Murdoch’s Top 10 tips for Managing Your Time.

You should treat the LMS as if it were your classroom- except it’s online! Maximising your engagement with the LMS is the real difference between internal and external studies. Many tutors will assess your engagement in online LMS discussions so it is important you are contributing regularly and know how to use the LMS.
There are online tutorials for LMS in the ‘Using
Educational Technologies’ module which can be found at the LMS101 website . You can also check out the Help & Support > LMS Help for Students menu at top of each LMS page for technical assistance.
Don’t know what LMS is? Check out Chapter
6-Murdoch Online for more information.
You can assist yourself early and throughout the semester by summarizing your notes and completing each week’s content thoroughly.
Making notes can be hard, and it’s important to find a style of note taking that works for you as your notes will come in handy when you are preparing for exams and assessments.
• Download lecture recordings and save them as video files on your computer or tablet. This way you can watch them again later (offline)
• Become an active listener by taking notes during the lecture.
• After the lecture, review the notes by rewriting and summarising the information coherently.
• Print out a copy of the lecture slides so that you can easily refer back to them later- you can even use the print-out to take notes on.
• Complete any worksheets or exercises related to that week’s topic after you have reviewed/ summarized your notes
• Start working on major assessments no later than two weeks before the due date. You may need to set aside some additional time in your schedule during these weeks, and be sure to use your summarized notes to help you.
Tip: Check out CUTL’s advice on taking notes to get you started.
You will receive a Unit Information and Learning
Guide (sometimes called a Unit Guide) for each unit that you are enrolled into. Be sure to read each guide thoroughly at the beginning of semester, and keep it in an easy to access place as it will become your ‘go-to’ resource
The Unit Guide contains everything you need to know about each unit , including:
• Contact details for your lecturer(s)
• Assessment descriptions and deadlines
(including how much they are worth)
• Policy regarding late submission of assessments
(including penalties)
• An overview of each week’s topics
• Information about your course materials and recommended readings
• Information about the required referencing style and plagiarism
• Information about exams (if applicable).
You can obtain electronic copies of your unit guides on LMS. It is an excellent resource; use it to form the basis of your study schedule and plan ahead to set you up for a successful semester.
You will refer to it so often that you might like to consider printing it out.
Tip: Get yourself a bound copy of your Unit
Guide(s) from the University Bookstore.
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Research is a vital part of all courses at Murdoch and the Library will be an essential service to help you do this. There are specific Library Services for
External Students available to you. Library services allow you to:
• Borrow hardcopy reading materials
• Access the Library online for looking up e- journals, e-books and other electronic resources for your assignments.
• Develop your research skills. Research guides will help you to find journal articles, search in databases and find books. Bookmark the
Research Guides in your web browser so it becomes an easily available resource to assist with your assignments.
• Access the Subject Guides. These guides
(which are arguably the most useful library guides) house all of the online information, content and subject materials that the Library has for each subject taught at Murdoch. Make sure to not limit yourself though, as many assessments will require an interdisciplinary approach.
Contact the Library External Student Services by Phone (08) 9360 2100 email: ill@murdoch.edu.au
for help.
Communication with the university support services is very important during your studies. As a student in an adult learning environment it is your responsibility to be pro-active in seeking answers to questions or queries that you may have. You should let your Tutors, Student Advisor or Unit
Coordinators know if you are struggling with any aspect of your study or personal life as early as possible. Don’t wait until it is too late as there are often more options available to you than you think-all you need to do is ask!
Student Advisors contact students studying externally by phone and/or email. They’ll give you a courtesy call to chat with you during the semester, see how you are getting on with uni, and offer you additional assistance if required. You should expect a call from one of your friendly Student Advisors.
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There is an online Library Chat service available to all students Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm where you can ask general questions, with subject-specific librarians available to help if you have subject-specific questions. Additionally you can send the
Library an email query. Find the contact details and Chat service on the Library website

You will be expected to complete one or more assessments for each unit that you are enrolled in.
These can include (but are not limited to): online quizzes, essays, oral presentations, mid-semester tests, group projects, and portfolios.
Details for each assessment such as due dates and weighting are outlined in your unit guides. Make sure that you make a note of your assessment deadlines in your semester schedule and make a plan to finish them as you receive your unit guides.
Your Tutor should be your first point of contact.
Your Unit Coordinator (UC) should be the next person you speak to if your tutor cannot answer your specific question (Please note that unit coordinators are often responsible for hundreds of students, so be sure to contact your tutor first)
Additional information about Tutors and Unit
Coordinators is available in Chapter 6 – Murdoch
Staff and You
Your fellow students can provide invaluable assistance in working on the subject matter.
Discussions on how to approach assignments are appropriate but collusion and writing assignments for other students is not. Ensure you do the
Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP) to learn what is and is not appropriate.
Additional information about MAP is in Chapter
2-How to be a Successful Student – Part I:
Before the Semester Begins)

For most units, assessments are submitted electronically through LMS/Moodle. Directions on how to submit your assessments online will be provided to you in the Unit Information and
Learning Guides (UILGs).
Cover sheets are required with all assessments, and these can also be found on LMS/Moodle.
Cover sheets ensure that your assessment can be properly returned to you after it has been marked.
For some units, it might not be practical to submit certain assessments online (e.g. posters or art projects). In these cases, instructions will be provided to you regarding alternative ways you can submit your assessment.
Late submissions normally have marks deducted per day it is overdue. Additionally some units require that all assessments be submitted in order to pass. For these units, failure to submit all assessments will result in an automatic fail grade even if you have earned enough marks to pass overall. The late submission policy for each unit (including penalties) will be listed in the Unit
Information and Learning Guide.
Should you be unable to submit an assessment due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, you should contact your tutor as soon as possible. You will need to provide supporting documentation such as medical certificates in order to be granted an extension. Failure to submit adequate supporting documentation or not letting your tutor know may result in your assessment being marked as late.
Submitted assessments are generally returned to you within two weeks. In some cases your marked assignments will be emailed back to you. In other cases it may be uploaded to LMS/Moodle at which point you can download the marked version.
The grade will normally be on the coversheet and there will also be comments from the person who marked your assessment, most often your tutor, containing feedback describing what you did well and where you can improve. Reading the comments is really important as they will help you prepare for future assessments and/or exams. If you have questions about the feedback you have received, you can contact your tutor directly.
CUTL offers academic support to students through one-on-one consultations inperson and over the phone, plus a variety of workshops.
Additional information about CUTL is available in Chapter 10 – Support Services.
SAs and TROs can help you with any personal issues might be in the way of you completing an assignment and can refer you to other support services on campus including counselling and who to contact for help. Student Advisors are a particularly good point of contact for external students- especially if you don’t know who to contact.
Additional information about SA’s and TRO’s is available in Chapter 10-Support Services

Simple things really make the difference with your exams, so you should ensure your body and mind are at their optimal performance levels. Aside from revision, make sure you are eating regular nutritious meals, including breakfast and ensure you are getting good night’s sleep. Find out about
Exam Anxiety and how to use your nervous energy to your advantage on the Getting through Exams
Fact Sheet.
Most of your units at Murdoch will require you to sit a final exam at the end of each semester. The exact weighting of each exam will be detailed in your Unit Guide. In addition some units will require that you pass your final exam in order to pass the unit. Exams occur in weeks 16-17 of each semester, and typically run for 2-3hours each.
If you are enrolled externally, where you are required to sit your exam is determined by your postal address.
If you do not reside at your postal address, and it will affect your exam location as shown in the table below, please email the Exams Office at exams@murdoch.edu.au
to update your exam location before the end of Week 12 for normal semester exams, or at least 10 University business days prior to the start of the exam period for all other exam periods. Requests received after the deadline will not be accepted.
Postal Address
Less than 100 kms from campus
More than 100 kms from campus
More than 100 kms from
Australian Exam Centre than 300 kms from
Overseas Exams Centre
Exam Location
On campus
Exam Centre
Nominated Supervisor
Nominated Supervisor
You can find more information about exam centres and nominating supervisors on the
External Exams webpage .
The exam timetable is posted online and on noticeboards on each campus. Semester timetables are released in Week 9; Trimester -
Week 7-8, Summer and Winter - Week 5. The timetable will contain details such as the exam date, time, and location. You can search for the exam timetable here on the Timetable website.
Certain units will allow you to bring in additional materials into your exam such as textbooks, notes or calculators. Allowed materials will be listed in your Unit Guide as well as on the exam timetable.
You are also allowed to bring in a clear water bottle with all labels removed. Be sure to arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes early. You will need to bring a valid form of ID (Murdoch Student
ID card, Driver’s License or valid passport) to be admitted into the exam venue.
If you are feeling unwell during the exam, raise your hand and let the invigilator (supervisor) know.
If you are deemed to be unwell by the Nurse, you should request for a supporting document as you may be eligible to apply for a deferred assessment .
Exam papers are not typically returned to students, however you can request to see your exam paper.
You will need to contact your Unit Coordinator and make an appointment within two weeks of the release of results. Final grades for all of your units can be accessed in MyInfo.
If you have a disability or medical condition you can apply for alternative exam arrangements to ensure that you are able to sit exams on an equitable basis. You should contact the Equity and
Social Inclusion Office on 9360 6084 or equity@ murdoch.edu.au before Week 10 of the semester for exams support to be accommodated in the immediate upcoming exams.
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Support services are free and available to ALL students, including External students.
The Student Centre can help with any questions regarding enrolment, fees, basic course information, parking information or general questions.
Contact the Student Centre at 1300
Murdoch 1300 687 362 or by emailing studentcentre@murdoch.edu.au
.
Transition and Retention Officers (TROs), located into the Student Centre, can assist you with questions regarding orientation and getting started at Murdoch. In addition, TROs support the overall welfare and ongoing academic progression of all students from commencement to graduation. TROs also manage the external students Facebook page where you can get up-todate information to assist you with your studies.
Contact a Transition and Retention Officer by emailing StudentSupport@murdoch.edu.au.
The Student Financial Support Office (SFSO) has two main roles at the University. They administer scholarships as well as provide financial support services to all students, including those studying externally.
Visit the Scholarships website for more information.
The SFSO are also happy to send external students information on budgeting and how to manage your finances. For more information, email sfso@ murdoch.edu.au
or call (08) 9360 2733.
Student Advisors are based in each school and can provide assistance to Undergraduate students with course advice and course-specific questions.
They can support you if you are experiencing personal or academic difficulties. Student Advisors also run school-based peer mentoring programs where you can meet other new students, as well as ask questions and chat to second and third year students. Student Advisors also contact externals students by phone and/or email to see how you are getting on throughout the semester.
Contact your Student Advisor when you require assistance
The Murdoch University Heath: Counselling Service is provided free of charge to all enrolled Murdoch students, including external students. You can attend a confidential appointment on-campus or arrange a telephone appointment with an accredited Counsellor. The Counselling webpage also has some great information guides, as well as links to external Mental Health Support services.
Contact the Murdoch University Heath:
Counselling Service at (08) 9360 1227 or visit their website .
The Murdoch University Health: Medical Service offers bulk-billing to all enrolled Murdoch students, including external students. Qualified and experienced doctors and nurses provide medical treatment and health advice for a whole range of health concerns. Doctor’s appointments are available at the South Street Campus Monday to
Friday 08:30 to 16:30 throughout the year.
To schedule an appointment, either call (08)
9360 2293 or walk in to make an enquiry directly. More information is available on the
Medical Service website .

CUTL can help with all aspects of your learning including academic referencing, essay writing, assistance with maths and statistics, and more.
CUTL also provides workshops throughout the semester on study skills such as time management, writing reports and exam preparation. They have many practical resource guides and can even do one-on-one phone consultations by appointment.
Contact the Centre for University Teaching and Learning (CUTL) at (08) 9360 2142 or by email at CUTL@murdoch.edu.au
. You can also visit the CUTL website .
Equity and Social Inclusion provides services to promote equal opportunity and equity for all students, including support for students with disabilities and/or medical conditions. These support services are also available to external students.
Equity and Social Inclusion also facilitates The ALLY
Program, which seeks to raise awareness about the wide spectrum of gender and sexual identities that exist, and to support individuals who may identify in these ways.
ALLY-trained staff can be identified by a logo in their email signature or office door, and students may contact them with any concerns relating to sexual and gender diversity on campus.
Contact Equity and Social Inclusion at 9360
6084 or email equity@murdoch.edu.au
The Careers and Employment Centre is here to enhance your employability from first year onwards. Register with Career Connect to access information guides, development workshops, and relevant careers events.
Careers and Employment Staff can also discuss career pathways for your chosen course, as well as offer advice on creating resumes, writing cover letters, interviewing for jobs, and obtaining work experience before graduation.
Contact the Careers and Employment Centre at (08) 9360 2596 or email careers@murdoch.edu.au
.
The Student Guild is an organization which is run by students, for students. The Guild Student
Assist Team can support you by providing financial support, assisting with Centrelink and tenancy issues, and help you navigate the re-marking, appeals and academic misconduct process. The
Guild offers many student clubs and societies, and represents the student voice on campus.
Contact the Student Guild at (08) 9360 2158 or email contact@the-guild.com.au
. You can also visit the Guild website .
The IT Support team at Murdoch can help with a variety of IT-related issues including obtaining your
Student ID card, trouble logging into your online account, and issues with the Lecture Capture
System (LCS) or Learning Management System
(LMS).
Contact Murdoch’s IT Service Desk at (08)
9360 2000 or email itservicedesk@murdoch.
edu.au
. You can also visit the IT website .
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Each semester is 17 weeks long including:
• 14 teaching weeks
• Three non-teaching weeks
• Two exam weeks
You can look up the Academic Calendar for each year online. You can also download a copy of the Principal Dates Calendar and print it out (you can also purchase large copies of these from the
University Bookstore).
For units offered in Semester one or two, you have until Friday of week two to add or change your units online. Please keep in mind that if you add a unit after the semester has started, you will be required to catch up on all of the material you missed.
You have until Friday of week four to withdraw from units without incurring fees. This deadline is referred to as the census date. Should you withdraw from units after the census date, you will still be liable for the fees associated with those units.
You have until Friday of week 12 to withdraw from units without incurring a fail grade on your permanent record. Should you withdraw from units after this date; a fail grade automatically will be recorded for any units you withdraw from. If you are thinking about withdrawing from your units or your course, have a chat to a Student Advisor or
Transition and Retention Officer about it.
Exams occur in weeks 16-17 of each semester. The exam timetable is released several weeks before the exam period, and will give you details about your exams including dates, times, venues and what materials you are allowed to bring into your exams. The exam timetable can normally be found on the Exams website .
Please see the Handbook for a list of
Key Enrolment Dates .

If at any point you are struggling to find you focus go back to the start of your guide and read what you wrote down for your three main reasons and motivations to study at university. If your motivations/reasons have changed, then put your new motivations/reasons down here:
1.
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3.
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Communication is the key to any success. Without communication, your family, friends and/or partner will not know what is happening and often neither will you. Tip: Talk to each other
They might not think they can help out so you can finish that assignment or revise for a future assessment, but taking the kids out for an hour, preparing dinner, or hanging the washing out can give you that critical time you need.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask.
We are here to help you and can quite often see that small things have huge impacts. We are here to help you realise your potential and see you succeed. Tip: Call or email us
Try and break up your time into manageable chunks whatever your enrolment is.
Tip: break your study down to what you can realistically manage
Here’s an example of how to manage a three year full time load:
• 3 years sounds like a long time for a full degree
• that’s 6 semesters of 17 weeks
• remove the study breaks and that’s only 13 weeks in a 6 month period.
Remember you are not alone; we have lots of students studying externally. Make sure you join the online community for peer support.
Like us on Facebook, search Murdoch University
External Student Support.
Good Luck!
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