What is involved in a degree?
- How is a degree structured?
- What will the workload be like?
- What is full-time and part-time study?
- What is a double degree?
- What is an Honours degree?
How is a degree structured?
A full-time student normally undertakes 8 subjects per year, and each subject is allocated a credit point value. Most subjects are semester based and worth 3 or 4 credit points each.
Subjects may be offered in the following modes:
- semester based (one half year)
- full year
- day
- evening
- external (distance)
- composite (lectures by distance, student attends tutorials or practicals on campus)
- vacation and winter vacation (offered during the breaks)
- summer session (fee paying courses offered in the summer break)
Availablility of subjects can be found in the handbook.
A degree requiring 68 credit points will normally take 3 years of full-time study to complete.
What will the workload be like?
You need to keep a balance in your lives. Remember going to your classes is just a small part of your commitment to successful study. You will need to set aside time for research in the Library, reading, writing assignments and for examination preparation. As a general guide the University expects you to allow 9 hours each week to successfully complete a 3 credit point unit (ie. 3 hours work for each credit point including class contact time).
The first few weeks may well lull you into a false sense of security. Often there aren't assignments due until Week 4 or Week 5 of a semester. However this is when astute organised students get ahead with their reading, photocopy material they need for the first round of assignments, rather than leave it until closer to the due date when Library materials are in greater demand.
What is full-time and part-time study?
Full-time study is considered to be 9 credit points or more per semester for undergraduate, and usually 12 credit points per semester for postgraduate masters degrees. PG full-time status may vary depending on the degree.
Part-time study is anything less than the full-time load.
Almost all degrees may be undertaken on a part-time basis. Please call the Student Enquiry Service on 9850 6410 to check a particular degree.
What is a double degree?
Double degrees are established programs at Macquarie that combine two degrees into one. The total number of credit points needed, and the years taken to complete, will be reduced compared to doing two separate degrees. The student cannot separate the double degree - it is considered to be one award.
For example, a Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting requires a minimum of 68cp and takes approximately 3 years to complete full-time. The Bachelor of Applied Finance also requires a minimum of 68cp and approximately 3 years to complete full-time. If the student decides to enrol in the BCom-Accg/BAppFin double degree, the total credit points needed will be a minimum of 96cp and approximately 4 years to complete.
What is an Honours degree?
An Honours degree is an additional year upon qualification of a bachelor's degree. Students need to have performed well in their bachelor's degree to be considered for honours. Honours may lead to Masters (hons) or a post honours doctorate (PhD).
Information about honours can be found here.