Getting Started
Welcome to the Postgraduate Coursework Getting Started
Congratulations on gaining a place at UNSW Canberra. We are delighted that you have chosen to study with us.
Our aim is to provide you with an exciting, challenging and rewarding experience at UNSW Canberra in a supportive environment where you will have the opportunity, and be encouraged, to excel.
Accepting Your Offer
Accepting online is a 2 part-process
Part I: Accept or defer your offer in Accept Online (https://acceptonline.unsw.edu.au/) to ensure your place in the program.
Part II: Confirm your personal details, complete the Financial and Student Declaration sections and enrol in your courses.
If you do not accept or defer by the relevant Acceptance Deadline (please refer to UNSW Canberra Important Dates), your offer may lapse.
Please note: students may only defer the commencement of their program for no more than two years.
Enrolment
If you need assistance enrolling, please see our UNSW Sydney Campus Website which features a step-by-step guide and photos showing you how to enrol:
https://student.unsw.edu.au/enrol/annual
Please note that UNSW Sydney students have moved to ‘terms’ and therefore all enrolment and registration examples in the above online enrolment guide refer to terms, however UNSW Canberra students operate in ‘semesters’.
The UNSW Online Handbook will help you select which courses you want to study and find out when they are offered.
Getting your Student ID Card
Students should note that it is a condition of enrolment at UNSW Canberra that you obtain and retain an ADFA Card for the entirety of your study with UNSW Canberra. Failure to obtain a card will severely limit your access to services. While on campus you should display your ID card at all times.
To obtain UNSW Student ID Card in person please visit ICTS Helpdesk (Building 14) with a valid photo ID (Driver’s Licence or Passport). You will need to be enrolled in a course to be eligible to receive a Student ID Card.
To receive your Student ID Card via mail please send an email request to helpdesk@adfa.edu.au with the following information:
- Student number
- Copy of a valid photo ID
- Mailing address
- Passport size photo
The address to post this information to is:
Helpdesk
ICT Services, UNSW Canberra,
Australian Defence Force Academy,
Canberra ACT 2600
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In all instances the card will be mailed to you unless you advise the ICTS Helpdesk that you wish to collect the card, so please make sure your mailing address in myUNSW is correct.
For assistance please contact ICTS Helpdesk on the below contact information:
Email: helpdesk@adfa.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 5114 5678
Study Modes: Distance and Intensive
Distance and Intensive Delivery Mode
Postgraduate Courses are delivered in the Distance or Intensive Delivery Mode (and sometimes in both modes).
Distance Mode: Distance students are not required to be physically present on campus throughout the semester. Many distance courses are often referred to as 'online courses', because this is the main method of delivering learning resources via the Learning Management System called MOODLE. Guidelines for Distance Education Students can be found on the following link: https://gateway.unsw.adfa.edu.au/iteaching/online/
Intensive Delivery Mode (IDM): Students undertaking IDM courses will attend the UNSW Canberra Campus for a period of face-to-face instruction generally in the form of a one week intensive module during the semester (often at the start of the semester) or weekend delivery. This on-campus component is preceded and followed by a period of online interaction and assessment via MOODLE.
Credit for Previous Studies (Advanced Standing)
Students who have previously completed courses at a recognised university can apply for credit. For further information please see our Credit and Advanced Standing Page.
Preparing to Study Online
Establishing your calendar
What device do you use the most often: your phone, tablet, laptop or desk computer? Whichever one you use, it almost certainly has a calendar app on it. Setting up your study calendar is easy. You can find all of the important dates on the:
» Student Assistance page , and in your
» Course Outlines on the Student Gateway.
Using Moodle and Collaborate
Moodle is the Learning Management System used at UNSW Canberra. All courses have a Moodle site to manage and deliver course content. Course sites are usually available to students one week before the start of semester and you should make a habit of logging into your courses' Moodle sites on a regular basis.
Need some help navigating your way around Moodle?
The Moodle Support page has a range of instructions for using Moodle, including logging in and editing your profile, orienting yourself, uploading files, submitting assignments, and using Blackboard Collaborate (a virtual classroom).
Setting up your ICT environment
Before you start your courses, it's a great idea to check your system requirements and find out whether you will need other peripheral devices such as a headset, microphone or webcamera.
Without the right set up, you might not be able to view multimedia content (such as pre-recorded lectures), access all of the content or join your class in online tutorials or collaborative activities.
Scholarly Resources
Connecting with the scholarly information you will need in your studies
As an off-campus student of UNSW Canberra, you have access to a full range of resources to support your studies through the Academy Library
» Use electronic and print resources including journals, books, reports, theses, standards, streaming video, and more with your username and password.
» Learn about information and its use at university with the ELISE tutorial.
» Order physical items like books to be sent to your home or office via the Home Delivery service
» Discover a starting point into researching your area of study with the Subject Guides, and
» Learn more about what services are available to you on the Academy Library Off-Campus Students webpage.
In addition, we encourage you to contact the Library Outreach Team via the AskUs service, should you need assistance finding resources or want help getting familiar with how to use your library.
Getting Help
Having issues with Moodle or your ICT set up?
For enrolment and login issues please contact:
IT Service Centre
Email: itservicecentre@unsw.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9385-1333
International: +61 2 9385 1333
For ALL other Moodle issues please contact:
External TELT Support
Email: externalteltsupport@unsw.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9385-3331
International: +61 2 938 53331
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday 7:30am – 9:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am – 4:30pm
Needing some help with your studies?
Make an individual appointment with one of the ALL staff or register for a workshop if you need help to:
» develop or revise a logical essay argument
» read critically and take effective notes
» plan and structure your writing (such as essays, reports, and theses)
» integrate source materials and references into text
» use different referencing styles
» improve your grammar and expression, or to
» deliver successful oral presentations.
Appointments can be conducted by phone, email or Skype or face-to-face in our office if you happen to live in Canberra. Please note that you will need your username and password to log into the booking system.
You can also contact the ALL Unit directly:
Email: knowALL@adfa.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 5114 5238
Looking for some assistance with the enrolment process and advice on course selection?
The Student Administrative Services office is located at Building 111 on Northcott Drive at UNSW Canberra.
Email: sas@adfa.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 5114 5000Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday – 08.30 to 16.30
Friday* - 08.30 - 16.00
* On the first Friday of each month Student Administrative Services closes at 13.00.
Looking for assessment or academic advice?
View the school contact page for the relevant administrative or academic advisor?
