OUA Frequently Asked Questions

How are OUA qualifications regarded by the industry?
There are no OUA qualifications, only qualifications available through OUA. The certificate awarded at graduation will state the name of the qualification and the university conferring the degree. It will not say that the qualification was completed through Open Universities Australia. The degrees from the universities that can be achieved through Open Universities Australia are world ranking degrees and highly regarded by industry

If the course I choose through OUA is mostly provided by one university, what is the benefit of going through OUA as opposed to going directly to that university?
As well as not imposing any academic prerequisites, OUA allows you to study at your own pace, and pay less than you would if you went directly on-campus

How much is an average undergraduate course going to cost?
Most OUA undergraduate units vary between $695 and $995. At 2009 costs, an undergraduate degree will cost between $15,240 and $19,920. You can pay on a unit by unit basis each study period either upfront or by arranging a FEE-HELP loan through the Commonwealth Government. Australian citizens are able to borrow the full amount from the Commonwealth and pay back through the tax system.

How much is an average postgraduate course going to cost?
Postgraduate courses vary in price. For example, OUA's MBA (Executive) costs $31,680, whereas the Master of Technology Management costs $19,800. Graduate Certificates and Diplomas cost less as fewer units have to be completed. You can pay on a unit by unit basis each study period either upfront or by arranging a FEE-HELP loan through the Commonwealth Government

What will I save by enrolling via the VACC-OUA partnership?
In addition to paying lesser fees than students directly enrolled with universities, students will receive textbook vouchers and additional hours of Smarthinking

How can I overcome the isolation of studying off-campus?  
OUA units provide many opportunities to become involved in specialist discussion groups in the offered area of the OUA website to exchange ideas, find out more about how to study and share experiences 

Can I use the libraries of the universities involved? 
Library materials are an essential part of academic study. In your study materials, you will find details of recommended books, journal articles and electronic databases. Many of these resources will be specific to your unit and you will need to use your university library to access these materials. Your provider university will send you information about services available to you and how you can access them. University support usually includes:

• Access to electronic databases containing article and book extracts
• A digital reserve containing any readings for your unit
• Help desk support via phone or email

Most providers will also allow OUA students to use their on-campus facilities, if you visit them in person

Preparing for University Study 
We recommend that you enrol in SSK12 at the beginning of your study, which will count towards your business degree, or combine a PREP unit and SSK 19