Getting Started Guide 2013 - University of the Sunshine Coast

NEW STUDENTS 2013
GETTING STARTED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST
www.usc.edu.au

WELCOME TO USC
Congratulations on gaining a place at USC.
The steps you need to take are outlined below. For more details on working
through these steps, go to www.usc.edu.au/gettingstartedatUSC.
KEEP UPDATED:
f www.facebook.com/unisunshinecoast
T www.twitter.com/usceduau
STEP STEP STEP STEP
ONE TWO THREE FOUR
Respond to your Plan your study Enrol in courses in
offer in USC Central before you enrol USC Central
USC Central is one of the most
important online services that you
will use during your student career.
USC Central is where you will respond
to your offer and enrol in your classes.
After receiving your letter of offer
from USC, you must respond as soon
as possible. Your offer will lapse
if you do not respond before the
commencement of the semester or
session in which you have been made
an offer.
Learn how to navigate your
way around USC Central to
accept your offer and enrol.
View and try on-line tutorials at
www.usc.edu.au/usccentralguide
• Log in to USC Central
Go to http://usccentral.usc.edu.au and
use your username and password to
accept, defer (if eligible) or decline
your offer.
Login issue Contact the Student IT
Help Desk 07 5459 4455
All QTAC applicants must also
respond directly by the specified date,
via the QTAC Current Applicant Online
Service at www.qtac.edu.au
Note: If you miss the QTAC response
date, it may be possible to reinstate
your offer. For further details contact
Student Administration.
Planning your enrolment is an
important start to your university life.
Go to Step 2 at
www.usc.edu.au/gettingstartedatUSC
to plan your USC study location
and timetable.
TPP students: Before you enrol, go
to www.usc.edu.au/TPP and click on
the Study Plan tab to check which
TPP courses you should be enrolling
in to work towards your Bachelor
degree program.
Undergraduate students: A Study
Plan is included in your offer pack. It
contains information relevant to your
program including:
Required and recommended
courses to enrol in for your first year
of study
Whether you should register for a
major or minor
Postgraduate students: Refer to
your Study Plan under the Enrol
tab in your USC Central Student
Centre, or contact your Faculty for
enrolment advice.
You may be eligible for credit
based on previous studies and/or
work experience.
Visit www.usc.edu.au/credit for
more information.
Logon to USC Central
http://usccentral.usc.edu.au
Go to Step 3 at
www.usc.edu.au/gettingstartedatUSC
for assistance in completing the
enrolment process.
Be aware of important dates
in the enrolment cycle. Go to
www.usc.edu.au/calendars for key
dates in all semesters and sessions.
• Come along to PIES!
For new TPP and undergraduate
students, assistance is available
at the Program Information and
Enrolment Sessions (PIES). Held
before the start of each semester,
PIES can provide you with Student
ID cards, enrolment assistance and
extensive information on your chosen
degree. If you have already enrolled in
classes, attend this event to ensure
you have made the correct course
choices. Visit www.usc.edu.au/events
for dates.
Postgraduate students are invited
to visit the campus at any time and
speak with faculty staff about study
plans and course choices.
Check your student
fees invoice in
USC Central
When you are studying at university
you will be charged fees for your
program.* These fees will vary
according to the program of study
you choose and whether you are
a Commonwealth supported or a
fee-paying student. Your letter of
offer will specify whether you are a
Commonwealth supported student.
HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and SA-
HELP are available to assist eligible
students to defer payment of fees.
If you are not eligible for HECS-HELP,
FEE-HELP and SA-HELP you must
pay your fees in full by the due date
shown on your invoice. Invoices are
not posted to students.
• How to pay your fees
Go to www.usc.edu.au/payfees for
instructions on generating your fees
invoice and making a payment.
*Note: TPP Commonwealth supported students do
not incur fees.
MUST DO:
It is very important that you change
your password within seven days of
accepting your offer. Go to Step 3 at
www.usc.edu.au/gettingstartedatUSC
for instructions.
Getting Started at USC

STEP STEP STEP
FIVE SIX SEVEN
Access your
Attend Orientation
USC email
You have a USC email account which
the university uses to communicate
with you.
You are required to check your
USC Mail account at least once
a week for official correspondence
and information.
• To access USC Mail go to
www.usc.edu.au/uscmail
In the Windows Live ID field enter the
email address provided in your USC
offer letter and enter your password.
Get your student
identification (ID)
card
You will be issued with a USC
Student ID card. It allows you to:
access computer labs
borrow items from the Library
use USC copying and
printing services
confirm your ID at exams
• Provide the required photographic
identification (18+ Card, driver’s
licence or passport) and have a photo
taken at:
Student Administration in Student
Central, Ground Floor, Building C,
Sippy Downs campus
ID card sessions will also be held
at the Program and Enrolment
Information Sessions (PIES) and
during Orientation Week. See
www.usc.edu.au/orientation for more
information on session times and
venues.
Orientation week is the official start
to the University semester and an
important event for all new students
to attend. Coming to Orientation will
assist you to:
• Prepare and get organised for
your studies.
Learn how to use USC
Portal (Blackboard)
https://online.usc.edu.au
Learn about the campus, facilities
and support services available.
Meet students and staff, make new
friends and have some fun!
Orientation includes important
academic activities and free social
events put on for you by fellow
students and staff of the University.
• To plan your attendance
at Orientation go to
www.usc.edu.au/orientation
NEED SOME
TIPS
Learn how to navigate your
way around USCCentral. View
and try on-line tutorials at
www.usc.edu.au/usccentralguide
NEED HELP WITH
USC SPEAK/
TERMINOLOGY
www.usc.edu.au/terms
FIND OUT
MORE ABOUT
FEES:
HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and
SA-HELP Information booklet
included in your offer pack
www.usc.edu.au/fees
www.studyassist.gov.au
WANT TO
TALK TO
SOMEONE
Student Administration:
Student Central, Ground Floor,
Building C, Sippy Downs campus
Monday–Thursday: 8.30am-5pm
Friday: 8.30am-4.30pm
or call
07 5430 2890
or email
studentadministration@usc.edu.au
www.usc.edu.au

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
DO YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS
Ask us at Student Administration
As a USC student you are responsible for selfmanaging
your continued enrolment in your
program via USC Central. This means you need to
ensure all your details are up to date, including your
personal/contact details, and that all aspects of
your program and course enrolment are correct.
Student Administration can assist you with matters
relating to:
4scholarship and bursary applications
4assistance with managing your online enrolment
using USC Central
4credit transfer, change of program, re-enrolling
and taking a break from study
4advice on study costs and fees
4centrally scheduled examinations
4release of final grades in USC Central
4information on academic progression
4applying for official documentation relating to your
enrolment and academic record
4obtaining your Student ID Card
4purchasing a Translink GO Card
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:
4Visit us at:
Student Central
Ground Floor Building C, Sippy Downs campus
4Our opening hours are:
Monday–Thursday: 8.30am–5pm
Friday: 8.30am–4.30pm
4Tel: 07 5430 2890
4Fax: 07 5430 2882
4Email:
General enquiries:
studentadministration@usc.edu.au
Student fees:
fees@usc.edu.au
Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP):
information@usc.edu.au
Admissions: information@usc.edu.au
4Website: www.usc.edu.au/studentadministration
PROGRAM
ADVICE
For assistance with course selection
Faculty of Arts and Business
Tel: 0 7 5430 1259
Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au
Visit: DG.01, Building D
Website: www.usc.edu.au/fab
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and
Engineering
Tel: 07 5430 2869
Email: SHEinfo@usc.edu.au
Visit: Level 1, Room 50, Building H1
Website: www.usc.edu.au/she
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
SERVICES
USC students have access to comprehensive
Information and Communication
Technology Services. For more information:
www.usc.edu.au/online
STUDENT LIFE AND LEARNING
SUPPORT SERVICES
USC offers students a wide range of support
services, including academic and study support,
careers and employment advice, disability
support, counselling services, health and
wellbeing workshops, and the Ally Network for
LGBTIQ individuals.
The Buranga Centre located at Sippy Downs
campus offers a wide range of support services and
resources for indigenous students.
Tel: 07 5430 1226
Email: StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au
Website: www.usc.edu.au/studentsupport
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES
A number of scholarships are available to assist
students with the financial cost of attending
university. Email scholarships@usc.edu.au or visit
www.usc.edu.au/scholarships
CHILD CARE
ON-CAMPUS AT SIPPY DOWNS
The AEIOU child care centre at USC Sippy
Downs campus provides places for children
aged six weeks up to five years. For more
information, call 07 5452 0300 or visit:
www.usc.edu.au/childcare
TEXT
BOOKS
A list of prescribed texts is available at:
4the Co-op Bookshop at Sippy Downs campus; and
4online—go to www.coop-bookshop.com.au and
click on the TEXTBOOK SEARCH tab
4Second hand textbook information is at the USC
Student Guild: www.uscstudentguild.org.au
CAMPUS MAPS
You won’t get lost at USC—use the maps on the
website to find your way around the campus. The
road map provides directions on how to get to the
University. A disability access map is also available.
www.usc.edu.au/maps
TRAVEL CONCESSION
Full-time students and certain Australian
Government concession card holders are eligible
for a concession Translink GO card, providing a
30 percent discount on public transport. Translink
GO cards can be purchased:
4online, with a list of where to buy at
www.translink.com.au
4at Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C,
Sippy Downs campus
For more information: www.usc.edu.au/transport
TRANSPORT
Visit the website to find out about the variety of
public transport services to the campus. There
are regular bus services to locations across
the coast, a connecting bus to Queensland Rail
at Landsborough, and plenty of bike paths to
surrounding suburbs.
Additionally, a FREE shuttle bus service now runs
between campus and Noosa (via Coolum); North
Lakes (via Caboolture); and Gympie (via Cooroy).
For more information: www.usc.edu.au/transport
PARKING
Parking spaces can be limited in peak times.
Consider catching public transport or carpooling.
Cars with two or more occupants receive priority
parking in the Shared Ride car parks. Visit the
website to find out more www.usc.edu.au/parking
ACCOMMODATION
For information on student accommodation
at Sippy Downs Campus visit
www.usc.edu.au/accommodation.
USEFUL LINKS ON
USC WEBSITE
Deferring an offer / taking up a deferred place:
www.usc.edu.au/deferredstudents
Disability support services:
www.usc.edu.au/disabilitysupport
Explanation of USC terms:
www.usc.edu.au/terms
Fees and costs information:
www.usc.edu.au/fees
How to enrol:
www.usc.edu.au/study/apply-and-enrol
Indigenous Services:
www.usc.edu.au/indigenousservices
IT services for students:
www.usc.edu.au/itsupport
Library:
www.usc.edu.au/university/Library
New students:
www.usc.edu.au/newstudents
USC Study Locations:
www.usc.edu.au/studylocations
Understanding the timetable:
www.usc.edu.au/room-locations
University of the Sunshine Coast
Locked Bag 4
MAROOCHYDORE DC QLD 4558
AUSTRALIA
Tel: 07 5430 2890
Fax: 07 5430 2882
Web: www.usc.edu.au
CRICOS Provider Number: 01595D