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
Accept or defer your offer in myUNSW to ensure your place in the program.
Please check my.unsw.edu.au for acceptance availability for your relevant commencement Semester.
To accept or defer your offer you need:
- Your UNSW Student ID - the 7-digit number at the top right corner of your offer letter or deferment confirmation letter.
- Your UNSW Program code, also on your offer letter or deferment confirmation letter.
- To create your UniPass, available here.
Go to myUNSW and sign on (top right hand corner). Click on the ‘My Applications’ Tab where you will see your offer listed and click 'Proceed with Offer'.
Please note: students may only defer the commencement of their program for no more than twice with a maximum deferment period of two years.
Enrolment
If you need assitance enrolling, please see below steps. You may also wish to see our Sydney Campus Website which features a video, step-by-step guide and photos on how to enrol:
https://student.unsw.edu.au/enrol/annual/course
Step-by-step Guide to Enrol:
1) Return to myUNSW and log in. Your Login ID is 'z' followed by your ID number. Your Unipass is the password you just created.
2) Click on the 'My Student Profile' tab in the top left-hand and corner of the page.
3) Click on 'Update Your Enrolment' on the left of the screen.
4) If you are logging in for the first time this year, you may be required to indicate that you have read various UNSW or Government policies. You can do this by following the relevant links and checking the boxes to indicate you have read the information. You may also be required to confirm your contact details before continuing.
5) Click on 'Update Enrolment' for the corresponding semester. If the semester you wish to enrol in does not appear, please contact Student Administrative Services (contact details are below).
6) Click on 'Search by Catalogue' on the right of screen.
7) Type the codes of the courses in which you wish to enrol (e.g. ZBUS8001, ZPEM8765) in the top box labeled 'Multiple Course(s).' You can find a list of all course codes in the UNSW Online Handbook (http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/current/).
8) Search results will now be displayed. Confirm you have entered the correct courses and then check the 'Add' box beside each one. You may click 'Search Again' to choose more courses which will take you to the previous step. Click 'Continue'.
9) Click 'Proceed to Enrol'
10) Some students will need to click on the 'Add Classes' button. If this button does not appear, click on 'Enrol in ALL courses' and proceed to step 13.
11) If you are studying via distance, select 'DM02'. If you wish to study by intensive delivery select IDM3, please check dates and your availability to attend courses in this mode. To identify the study mode and dates for IDM, you will need to look under the relevant Postgraduate Coursework Program. Click 'Continue' once the correct classes are selected.
12) Click 'Enrol in Course' or 'Enrol in ALL Courses'.
13) You are now enrolled. You can check your enrolment at any time by clicking on 'Class Timetable' in your student profile (see step six). If you are an undergraduate student, your tutorials will be automatically allocated before the start of the session.
The UNSW Online Handbook will help you select which courses you want to study and find out when they are offered.
Passwords
zPASS Password
To access online services at UNSW, you will need to use your student ID and zpass password.
- To gain your initial zPASS access, go to:
www.it.unsw.edu.au/students/zpass/create_zpass.html and follow the instructions.
For any enquires contact IT Service Desk Sydney:
Phone: +61 2 9385 1333
Email: itservicecentre@unsw.edu.au
ADFAPASS Password
To access the on-campus computers and wireless you require to use your student ID and ADFApass.
- To gain your initial ADFAPASS access, go to:
www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/passwordreset follow the prompts.
For any enquires contact ICTS Helpdesk:
Phone: 02 6268 8140
Email: helpdesk@adfa.edu.au (send your contact details)
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 ID card in person please visit ICTS Helpdesk ( Building 14) with a valid photo ID ( Driver’s licence or passport)
To receive your UNSW 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
The JPEG file needs the following minimum specifications: 328 pixels wide x 370 pixels high in true colour.
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.
email: helpdesk@adfa.edu.au
phone: 02 6268 8140
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. Limited credit may be granted for courses which are considered equivalent in standard, level, objectives and relevance to the program in which they are enrolling or enrolled at UNSW Canberra.
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.
Familiarising yourself with academic expectations
Thriving Online: Understanding Academic Expectations
A few short tips for getting the most out of your studies
Citing Well and Knowing Why
These two short tutorials address the importance of acknowledging the sources of your information and introduce you to the basic skills of citation and referencing.
Smart Reading
A 12 minute introduction to smart, critical reading and note-taking strategies.
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 zPass 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 ADFApass username and password to log into the booking system.
You can also contact the ALL Unit directly:
Email: knowALL@adfa.edu.au
Phone: (02) 6268 9514 (Fiona Richmond, LTG)
Looking for some assistance with the enrolment process and advice on course selection?
The Student Administrative Services office is located on the top floor, Administration Building at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.
Email: sas@adfa.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 6268 6000
Fax: +61 2 6268 8666Opening 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?
