IT Masters Information for Students

 

Welcome to Charles Sturt University and IT Masters.

 

This page brings together all the basic information you’ll need as a student studying with CSU and IT Masters. We know it can be confusing studying online across two different providers (you’re probably getting a whole lot of emails!) so we’ve tried to condense it to the important stuff.

 

Good communication is the key to online learning, so make sure you keep in contact with teachers and admin staff. Let us know as soon as any problems or questions arise – we can help you address them straight away and support you to stay on track.

Your Course Details

 

All 2023 courses can be viewed in CSU’s 2023 Handbook.

We recommend referring to your handbook and getting familiar with your course structure. It’s very important that you complete the right amount of core and elective subjects in your course to allow you to graduate – otherwise, it may create issues at graduation time!

You will have to follow the course structure of the year that you are enrolled in and should always refer back to the relevant year handbook (i.e. if you started in 2023 you have to keep referring back to the 2023 handbook until you are finished).

To make it easier for you to plan your subjects IT Masters has developed a Subject Availability List (SAL) where you can find your course and when each subject is running in the calendar year.

With the SAL you can use this ITM Study Map template to help plan your course out, this can come in handy when talking to our student support team about your study intentions.

If you want to select a different subject than what is set out in your handbook (for example, if a new subject has been included in the following year’s handbook), please contact us to ensure that subject will still leave you eligible for graduation – we can seek approval from the CSU Course Director on your behalf.

Handbook

 

Important Dates

 

Students are able to start in either a session or term intake meaning less time waiting to start your studies. Our terms are a few weeks shorter than the overlapping sessions. As terms are shorter only a few subjects are run during them. Current students are able to enrol in terms as well as sessions but are advised that they’ll be starting a subject as another subject is finishing – this overlap can sometimes be a challenge. The Session/Terms for this calendar year are as follows:

 

2023/2024 Important Dates

 

Session/Term
Start/End Date
Census Date
Grades Released
Session 2 (202460) 8 July – 25 October 2024 2 August 2024 8 November 2024
Term 3 (202475) 26 August – 13 December 2024 20 September 2024 TBA
Session 3 (202490) 11 November 2024 – 14 February 2025 29 November 2024 28 February 2025
Session 1 (202530) 3 March 2025 – 20 June 2025 28 March 2025 11 July 2025
Term 2 (202545) 26 May 2025 – 15 August 2025 13 June 2025 TBA
Session 2 (202560) 14 July 2025 – 31 October 2025 8 August 2025 14 November 2025

 

For a full list of 2023 and 2024 important dates, click here.

FAQ for Students

 


 

You can manage your enrolment by adding/deleting subjects or adding a Leave of Absence (LOA) session in your Online Administration.

Remember you can use our Subject Availability List (SAL) to check when subjects are running to help plan your enrolment. If you need assistance please contact us at [email protected], we’re happy to help.

There’s no need for you to go to a campus unless you’d like to attend your graduation ceremony. Our courses are 100% online without the need for face to face classes.

Classes run online once a week for one (1) hour and we encourage you to attend live for a more interactive experience. It’s a chance to participate in discussions and interact with other students in the chat. However, we understand that our students have busy lives, which is why recordings are available within 24 hours of the live webinar held, which you can review in your own time.

Yes, IT Masters courses are delivered online. This means you can study wherever you have a reliable internet connection. Your live webinars are always recorded and a link is posted within 24 hours, which means you can catch up at a time convenient to you.

While travelling, its handy to know that extensions are available. So when the unexpected comes up, you can apply to have some extra time on your assessment. You may be required to provide supporting documents to your request. Check out your subject outline for details on the extension options available and what’s required.

Please note that for students studying with a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), there are criteria for CSP that require a portion of study to be undertaken while resident in Australia. Find out more here: https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/commonwealth-supported-places-csps

Once per session, you can additionally request one automatic extension for an applicable in-session assessment of up to 7 days via the special consideration form:  https://apps.csu.edu.au/specialcons/. Supporting documentation is not required.

For in-session assessment items, further requests for extension beyond the previous two points are possible. These requests must be made via the special consideration form:  https://apps.csu.edu.au/specialcons/;  before the due date; and include supporting documentation. Acceptable reasons are given in the Assessment Flexibility Procedure  https://policy.csu.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=514. Each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The request may not be granted. The maximum extension possible is usually seven (7) calendar days. However, for extreme cases where solutions to the assessment item have not been released yet, longer extension periods may be possible.

If you receive an extension, then you should expect the assessment item and its feedback to be returned later. If you submit later than the extended due date you will receive late penalties as per guidelines below.

Unless your extension permits otherwise, submissions received 10 days after the original due date will receive zero.

the steps below by Census date of the relevant session:

Just click on ‘Apply for Leave’
Select the session you wish to add leave for
Add in a Leave of Absence (LOA)
Remember, if you’ve already enrolled in subjects for the session, you’ll need to remove these via the ‘Add/Delete Subjects” link first.

In your first session of study? If you’re a new student and unable to start your course, LOA isn’t available in your first session of study and you must apply for a deferral instead.

Check out our FAQs:
Can I defer a CSP place?
Can I defer a Full Fee place?

Or contact [email protected] so we can update your course start date to your preferred term or session.

Click here for more information about taking leave during your studies.

While we do make our best efforts to avoid subject clashes when planning out subject webinar times, unfortunately, certain clashes are sometimes unavoidable, especially as we try to make them available outside of working hours to accommodate working professionals.

First off, please contact [email protected] and let us know which subjects are running at the same time as soon as you find out. Where possible, we’ll try and reschedule one of these webinars for another evening so you can attend them live.

In the event rescheduling isn’t possible, our recommendation would be to attend the subject which you’ll most benefit from the interactive environment and catch up with the other webinar recording at a later point, noting down any questions or clarifications you may have, to post in the Interact 2 discussion boards or to send to the mentor directly.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider changing your subject selection to avoid such a clash and, should your course plan allow for it, you can re-enrol in the deleted subject in a future session.

Some subjects have examinations for their final assessment and are supervised online. The good news is that you don’t have to sit these exams at an examination centre but can do so from the comfort of your home or workplace. You’ll have access to a personalised exam timetable ahead of time, as well as exam guidance and review in Interact2, usually in the second-half of the session. More information is available here.

Current CSU students can download a range of software to assist with their studies. You can find out more here.

Discounted software & hardware are also available through the CSU Student Discounts page.

As we’ve noted in other FAQs, many of our students haven’t studied for many years or haven’t studied at all. CSU and ITM offers many support services to prepare you for study including short course programs.

o   FREE ITM short courses (link).
The perk is you get to apply for an unspecified industry elective on completion of three (3) eligible short courses, so start today and get rewarded for learning.
If studying IT courses, check out IT Basics Fundamentals 1 & 2 for a refresher. Note: the IT Basics short courses aren’t in the pool of short courses eligible for credi but they’re useful to help you get acquainted with IT terminology, especially if you’re new or pivoting your career to IT.
o   CSU workshops in your Student Portal.
o   StudyLink designed to assist your transition to university.
o   Academic and Referencing Skills support FAQ (Link to: “I’m not familiar with referencing/academic writing, where should I start?”)

If you’re a bit nervous about academic writing and referencing, don’t worry we’re here to help. Most of our students are industry professionals and academic writing is either new to them or it’s been a while since their last study.

To get you started, our Orientation Webinars are designed to help new students like yourself settle in and get ready for Week 1. The Orientation Webinar is held online the Wednesday before the start of the term or session and you’ll receive an email with a link to join. If you miss the live session, we also send out a recording.

Next stop, visit the CSU Academic Skills Help for links to topics like academic writing & referencing (as well as other content) to help build your academic skill set. You’ll also find a full range of live workshops that are free to attend and are a great option to improve your skills.

Aside from reaching out to ITM Admin and the Subject Mentor for guidance during the session, you can also book an appointment with one of CSU’s academic skills advisors for help and guidance with your work. Studiosity is another useful tool to your assignments.

As a student at IT Masters and Charles Sturt, you have access to a range of great support services such as library access, academic skills support as well as health and wellbeing services. Just because you’re studying online, don’t think you have to do it alone.

These support options are free and available in your Student Portal.

Yes, you can complete more than one course with a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Once you’ve finished your current course you can apply for another CSP-eligible course using the application form available here (link required). Please note that only certain courses are covered by CSP and places are limited.

Absolutely! As a current CSU student you can apply for credits through the Credit and Pathway Manager at any point during your course. This means you can pursue industry certifications or three eligible short courses alongside your course and apply for credit when the time is right. This guide contains useful information for when you submit your request.

To ensure you’re not enrolling in subjects that may be granted as a credit, check our credit map (link) or contact [email protected] for a personalised assessment.

Applying for a short course credit? Follow the steps outlined here (link to PDF here on applying for short course credit) to help you submit the request.

You can read about the ACS certification process and check out our information here (link to ACS credit info) which outlines how the ACS credits work. Students can apply for ACS credits on their IT Masters delivered elective subjects.

For more information, you can complete the simple ‘Am I Eligible?’ (Link required) form to get in touch.

Congratulations on your hard work! All information relating to Graduation including communication timelines, conferral and graduation ceremony dates are available here.

If you have any questions for the Graduation and Protocol team, please contact Student Central.

Yes, you can apply to graduate with a lower award as long as you’ve fulfilled the requirements of that award.

For example, if you’re currently in a Master’s program and completed subjects that fulfil the Graduate Certificate course structure, you can have this progress recognised by receiving a Graduate Certificate qualification. Have a read over this information for the process including the fee that may be applicable if you’ll be continuing your studies.

If you do not intend to continue with your studies, it means that your progress to date and the money invested is acknowledged with a postgraduate qualification. You can also return to study when the timing is right and pick up from where you left off.

If you’ve completed two-thirds or more of your Master’s at CSU and graduate, you may be conferred an award with distinction depending on your results. You can read more about it here.

To recognise outstanding students’ academic achievements, additional awards may apply such as University Medals and Executive Dean’s Awards. Read more about these awards here.

An academic transcript is a formal record of your studies at the University. It includes all units of study (attempted and completed) and your grade for each unit.
For more information and to request a copy of your academic transcript, please click here.

The University Ombudsman serves as an unbiased and confidential point of contact for addressing issues, complaints, or concerns related to the university. Collaborating with academic and general staff, the Ombudsman strives to foster a campus environment where raised matters are thoroughly investigated, and resolutions are facilitated.

To read more or lodge a complaint you can view the CSU University Ombudsman page here.

Study Load

 

With the recommend study load of two subjects per session, a Masters will take around 2 years to complete. This can be shortened if you’re eligible for credit.

Many students choose to study just one subject per session to balance study with their work and personal life. This way may take a little longer, but students often find they receive better results and get more out of their study.

Students have until census date each session to withdraw from subjects. So if you start a session with a couple of subjects and it’s too much, you can always cut your enrolment back without penalty, as long as it’s done before census date.

If you’re keen on taking more than two subjects per session, please contact [email protected] and we can walk you through it.

We understand that life happens while you’re studying. Once you’ve completed your first session of study, if you need a break for work or personal reasons, you can apply for a leave of absence (known as LOA). Students will have access to four pre-approved LOA sessions in a four year period.

We recommend finding 10–12 hours per week, per subject. Some weeks may require more time than others – the table below is a rough guide. At a postgraduate level, students are expected to do reading and research outside the given materials to achieve maximum results in their subjects.

Online Tutorial 1.5 Hours
Supporting Readings 3 Hours
Prepping Answers for Topic Review Questions 1 Hour
Participation in Weekly Online Discussions 1.5 Hour
Preparation of Assessment Items 3 Hours

Our Admin Team can help with course mapping and enrolment options, just touch base at [email protected] with your plans.

It is best to complete assessment items by the due date, but we understand our students have busy work and personal lives. When something unavoidable comes up, an extension may be possible. You’ll have access to request extensions through your learning portal once you’ve enrolled.

Many of our students choose the IT Masters/CSU online option to balance their study around full-time work and personal commitments. With your materials available 24 hours a day, you decide when you study.

With some simple planning around your assessment due dates and weekly online lectures (available as recordings if you can’t attend live), you can make the most out of your valuable time.

CSU Student Portal

 

The student portal is your personalised dashboard for managing your studies at CSU and access to your subjects, enrolment, fees, support services, and much more. Log in to your Student Portal here.

Use the student portal to:

  • view your calendar and timetable
  • access results
  • manage your fees
  • get quick access to forms and submit a request
  • live chat with the CSU support team
  • and much more…

 

Student Portal

 

Interact2

 

Interact2 is CSU’s interactive learning environment – where all your subject resources, info, and forums are. You will need to enter your username and password at the single sign-on page in order to log into Interact2 (sometimes also referred to as I2). Once you are within the Interact2 workspace you can go to each of your subject sites by clicking its site tab along the top of the main workspace site. These sites will be available 14 days before the start of the session – you should log in and explore your subject site to get ready and excited for your studies. Here you will find:

  • Announcements from your teaching and admin staff.
  • Forums where you can communicate with the other students and your mentor. The forums start up a few days before the session does.
  • All your study resources including prescribed and recommended texts for your subject.

 

More on textbooks

 

For most subjects you will be asked to purchase a textbook or resource, however, e-copies will also be available for short-term rental through the library service. EBOOKS.COM has provided IT Masters students with an exclusive 15% off Coupon code, which will be given to you on your subject (I2) site. This coupon is also valid for all subject categories.

 

How am I assessed?

 

Every subject has different assessments but generally, you’ll have two assessment pieces (such as a case study, a quiz, or an essay) and a final examination or large final assignment. You’ll find out what your assignments are through your subject outlines, which will be given to you at the start of the session.

Find out what to expect from your course and the support you’ll receive while studying on the CSU website.

Interact2

 

Credit Towards Your Studies

Thinking about applying for credit? You can use our Credit finder to see what your Industry Certification can get you.