UWA Handbook 2025

1. Title

These rules are the Student Rules.

2. Terms used

In these rules unless the context suggests otherwise—

academic misconduct means conduct that may compromise or defeat the purpose of academic assessment and includes, but is not limited to, conduct such as:

(a) collusion;

(b) inappropriate collaboration;

(c) plagiarism;

(d) misrepresenting or fabricating data or results or other assessable work;

(e) inappropriate sourcing or collection of electronic data;

(f) breaching the rules that apply to the conduct of an examination in a way that may compromise or defeat the purpose of the examination.

academic penalty, in relation to a unit from which a student withdraws, means a failing grade awarded to the student in respect of the unit

amenities and services fee means the fee referred to in the University of Western Australia Act 1911, section 28A

another institution means a tertiary institution or other place of learning other than the University

approved fee or charge means a fee or charge not otherwise referred to in these rules that is approved by the Vice-Chancellor and published by the University

course means a plan of study that a student must successfully undertake before qualifying for a degree, diploma or certificate of the University

central examination period means the period of at least two weeks following each semester or other teaching period that is designated for the conduct of examinations, including supplementary and deferred examinations

Commonwealth-supported student has the meaning given in the Higher Education Support Act 2003, section 36–5

co-requisite major, in relation to a nominated major, means a major that—

(a) must be undertaken at the same time as the nominated major is undertaken; or

(b) must have been successfully undertaken before the nominated major is undertaken.

co-requisite unit, in relation to another unit, means a unit that—

(a) must be undertaken at the same time as the other unit is undertaken; or

(b) must have been successfully undertaken before the other unit is undertaken.

cross-institutional enrolment means an enrolment at the University by a student for the purpose of gaining credit towards an award course being undertaken by the student at another institution in Australia;

cross-institutional Commonwealth-supported student means a Commonwealth-supported student who is studying at the University on a temporary basis to obtain credit towards a course in which the student is enrolled at another institution in Australia

exempt student means a student who is exempt from paying the amenities and services fee in accordance with Statute No. 20*

HES Act means the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Commonwealth)

incompatible major, in relation to another major means a major of which the content is substantially similar to the content of the other major and which must not be undertaken—

(a) at the same time as the other major is undertaken; or

(b) if the other major has been successfully undertaken.

incompatible unit, in relation to another unit, means a unit the content of which is substantially similar to the content of the other unit and which must not be undertaken—

(a) at the same time as the other unit is undertaken; or

(b) if the other unit has been successfully undertaken and is being credited to the student's current course.

international student means a student who is not an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen

major means either a single major or an extended major undertaken by a student in an undergraduate degree course

nominated major means a major nominated by a student in their course

non-award studies means one or more units that a student undertakes at the University otherwise than as part of a course

prerequisite unit, in relation to another unit, means a unit that must be successfully undertaken before the other unit may be undertaken

relevant school or board means the school or board responsible for administering the student's course and includes a position or body of people with authority to carry out the function concerned

student contribution amount refers to an amount payable by a student in relation to a unit and has the meaning given in the Higher Education Support Act 2003, section 93–5

student exchange program means a formal agreement between the University and an institution outside Australia that enables—

(a) students enrolled at the University to gain credit towards their course by studying at the other institution; and

(b) students enrolled at the other institution to gain credit towards their course at that institution by studying at the University.

teaching period means a scheduled duration, within an academic year, in which a unit of study is offered and includes approved non-teaching study breaks, pre-examination study breaks and examination periods

tuition fee means a tuition fee referred to in Rule 23

University working day means a weekday other than one that is specified by the University as a University holiday

visiting student means a student enrolled in non-award studies but does not include a cross-institutional Commonwealth-supported student

3. Application of rules to students enrolled in non-award studies

These rules apply to a student who takes a unit as part of non-award studies unless the student is taking the unit on an audit basis through University Extension.

4. Waiver or modification of rules in exceptional circumstances

The relevant school or board may waive or modify the operation of these rules in a particular case if the relevant school or board considers that it is necessary or desirable to do so because of exceptional circumstances.