Changes being made to the structure of courses for 2011 will affect almost every student at Flinders.

Information about the changes and how to manage your transition to the new course structures are detailed below.

What’s happening to my course structure?

From 2011, Flinders courses will be based on a consistent structure of 4 topics per semester for a full-time student.  In addition, the curriculum for all courses has been reviewed, resulting in a large number of new topics and, in some courses, changes to the length of majors, minors, specialisations and streams.

The new course structures and curriculum will apply from 1 January 2011, except to a few exempted courses. These exempted courses are:

  • Bachelor of Midwifery (Pre-Registration)
  • Bachelor of Midwifery (Post-Registration)
  • Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-Registration)
  • Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry)
  • Bachelor of Nursing (Re-Entry)
  • Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Midwife Pathway)
  • Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nurse Pathway)
  • Bachelor of Environmental Health
  • Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
  • Master of Hospital Administration – offshore program in Nankai
  • Master of Clinical Rehabilitation – offshore program in Singapore
  • Master of Arts (International Relations in Economy and Trade)
  • Bachelor of Psychological Sciences – offshore program in Kuala Lumpur
  • Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) - offshore program in Kuala Lumpur

How has my course changed?

  • All topics will be 4.5 units (or multiples thereof) across all year levels.
  • The University will no longer be offering 3 or 6 unit topics unless special arrangements apply.
  • The course rule has been amended – which may include changes to core, optional and elective topics.
  • There will be new topics and some topic codes and titles have changed.
  • In some courses, the unit requirements to complete a major, minor, specialisation, or stream have changed.

Does this mean I will need to study more units?

No. The total number of units required for completion will not change. For example, if you are enrolled in a 108 unit Bachelor degree, you are still required to complete 108 units to meet the course requirements. If in choosing topics for 2011, your total number of units now appears to exceed the number required for completion, transition arrangements have been put in place that will allow you to complete your course without having to enrol in more units than necessary.

Topics you have already passed will continue to be counted towards your course requirements, provided they counted towards the old course rule.

In some courses, the unit requirements to complete a major sequence or specialisation have changed (for example, a BA major has increased from 33 to 36 units). As a transitioning student, however, you will be able to complete a major sequence with the minimum unit requirements specified under the old course rule.

How can I prepare for this change?

Before enrolling for 2011, you will need to be familiar with the changes to your course. You are strongly advised to:

  1. read the Transition Advice for your course, including the new course rule
  2. attend any information or counselling sessions organised for your course
  3. seek advice from the contact officers for your course if you need further assistance.

Refer to the following index to locate the relevant information for your course:

How will transition arrangements work?

Special arrangements will be in place for students who have only 1.5 or 3 units remaining in order to complete their course or a particular course component like a major or specialisation. 

A number of 1.5 or 3 unit transition topics will be available to allow you to meet the unit requirements of your course or course component without having to enrol in more than the required number of units. Alternatively, you may choose to enrol in an appropriate 4.5 unit topic instead of a transition topic, but you will be liable for any additional costs.

If you need to enrol in a transition topic, you should do so, where possible, in 2011 or 2012.  This will assist your transition to the new course structure and make it easier to progress through your course.

Where do I get more information about enrolling for 2011?

Further information about enrolment for 2011 is available in the 2011 Continuing Student Enrolment Guide.