Terminology
This page aims to explain some of the terminology we use at RMIT in regard to programs and the procedures related to their fees, entrance requirements, and application procedures.
A, B and C Type letters
Sent to applicants (usually by art and design programs) indicating success or otherwise in meeting extra requirements in advance of Change of Preference.
Apprenticeship
A vocationally oriented TAFE program that is undertaken in the workplace.
Information about apprenticeships
Articulation
Articulation means recognition of previous relevant study or in some cases of relevant work experience. For more information refer to Pathways.
Associate Degree
A new undergraduate qualification – two years in length.
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank.
Bachelor degree
An undergraduate qualification—usually between three to five years in length.
Certificate I, II and III
Six to twelve month TAFE qualifications. These programs are usually vocational in nature.
Certificate IV
Twelve month TAFE qualification.
Change of Preference
A period during which applicants can change their preferences following the release of ATAR scores.
Clearly-in ATAR
The point at or above which all offers are made to applicants.
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS)
Scholarships that are provided by the government to assist with general education costs.
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships website
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Commonwealth Supported Place (replacing the HECS system) is where the Australian Government contributes towards the cost of a program.
Contact hours
The amount of time a student spends in a class or other educational setting.
Course
A course is the building block of a higher education program. Courses are referred to as 'subjects' in high schools and some universities.
Diploma/advanced diploma
Two to three year TAFE qualification.
Dual sector
Dual sector refers to the fact that RMIT offers programs in TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and higher education (undergraduate and postgraduate).
Extra requirements
Additional requirements that applicants must fulfill to be eligible for a program. Extra requirements can be an interview, folio, an additional form or preselection kit.
Additional forms and preselection kits
FEE-HELP
The payment system where students can borrow funds to pay for fee-paying programs.
Fringe ATAR
Indicates the point at which 95% of offers were made to applicants with an ATAR.
HECS-HELP
The payment system under which a Commonwealth Supported Place operates.
More information about HELP (Higher Education Loan Program)
Local student
A local student is either an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, or a holder an Australian Permanent Resident Visa.
Middle band
'Middle band' refers to a rather complex part of the selection process. For programs that select students on the strength of their ATAR ranking, a two-stage process of selection occurs:
Stage 1
The selection officer for the program looks at all the applicants and identifies those whose ATAR indicates they are 'clearly in'. These applicants are selected. They also identify those whose ATAR clearly indicates they are not of a suitable standard. These are 'clearly out'.
Stage 2
Between these groups there is another group of applicants neither clearly in nor clearly out. We call this group the 'middle band'. For this group the selection officer looks beyond the ATAR, at other information—for example, results in prerequisite subjects or performance in interviews—before they make a final decision.
Non-year 12 applicant
Applicants who are not currently studying a standard Australian Year 12.
Offers
Made by selection officers at institutions to successful applicants, offering them a place in the program.
Pathways
A broad term that relates to the ways in which students can find paths into education, through the levels of study at RMIT University, and into a career.
Information about pathways
Postgraduate studies
Programs of study at a higher level than a bachelor degree (e.g. graduate diploma, masters, doctorate).
Prerequisite studies
Subjects that students must have completed at a Year 12 level to be eligible for entry into a program.
Program
Program refers to a period of study after which students, upon passing, receive an award (e.g. degree, diploma, certificate etc.). Programs are referred to as 'courses' in high schools and some universities.
SEAS
Special Entry Access Schemes; the umbrella program for all special entry schemes conducted by participating institutions. Applicants apply for these schemes through VTAC.
Short Course
Short Courses are designed to meet different objectives for different people. Some courses will assist you to gain new skills that develop your career, whilst other courses are more recreational in nature. Courses vary in duration, price and commencement date. Enrolments are open all year round. On completion of a Short Course you will be issued with an RMIT Statement of Participation..
Single Course
A Single Course is a single 'subject' from an RMIT undergraduate or postgraduate degree program. Single Courses are offered in Semester 1, Semester 2, Spring School and Summer School. Enrolments for Semester 1 and Semester 2 take place during a two week enrolment period prior to the semester commencement. The enrolment period for Spring and Summer Schools vary depending on the start date of your chosen Course.
For the majority of Single Courses you will be required to attend a lecture and a tutorial each week for the duration of the semester. People take Single Courses to sample subjects before committing to a degree course, to enhance academic achievement in order to be selected for further University courses, to fulfil professional accreditation requirements or to accelerate a degree program. On completion of a Single Course, RMIT Training will issue you with a Result Statement..
Traineeship
A vocationally oriented TAFE program that is undertaken in the workplace.
Information about traineeships
Undergraduate studies
Studies that form part of a bachelor degree, associate degree, dual award or double degree.
Information about undergraduate study
VCAL
Victorian Certficate of Applied Learning. An alternative award to the Victorian Certificate of Learning (VCE).
VICTER (Victorian Tertiary Entrance Requirements)
Publication distributed to Year 10 students detailing prerequisite requirements for programs available the year following their VCE.
Vocational programs
Vocational programs train students for a specific vocation or career. Vocational programs are offered at both TAFE and degree level and they include some type of work experience as part of the program requirements.
VTAC—Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
Central administrative body that coordinates further study applications on behalf of most Victorian TAFE and Universities, as well as some interstate institutions.
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