AIX160 - Introduction to University Study
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* Trimester 3: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Sarah Pinto Trimester 3: To be advised |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ASC160, EAD102, EAD103, EAD110, EAD111 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour on-campus lecture per week 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar in weeks 1-3 1 x 1-hour on-campus seminar in weeks 4-8 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Note:*Community Based Delivery (CBD): only for students of the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation NIKERI Institute (located at the Waurn Ponds campus) | |
Content
Many university students find their first year of studies to be challenging. This unit helps students to develop the skills and knowledge required for successful university study. We begin with an introduction to universities and how they work, which helps students to better understand the teaching and learning practices they will encounter at university. Our weekly topics then introduce students to the skills, techniques and concepts that are critical to university study. We build skills in finding, evaluating and using information, especially through the use of the library catalogue and other online search functions. We work through a range of assessment techniques, including how to plan, structure and write common assessment tasks like essays and reports. We also learn about key concepts like critical and reflective thinking, academic reading and academic integrity, which includes guidance on using generative AI tools at university. This unit’s authentic assessment tasks allow students to put all this work into practice, as well as reflect on their own learning across the trimester. By the end of this unit students have the knowledge, skills and confidence to be successful in their university studies.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Explain core aspects of academic culture that are critical to successful university study, including academic research, peer review, and academic integrity. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Find, evaluate, and use reliable and relevant information and ideas from a range of trustworthy sources that are appropriate to university study. | GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Apply research and evaluation skills to a research project on the challenges many university students face in the first year of their studies, and how these challenges might be better addressed at an institutional level. |
GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking
|
| ULO4 | Develop, implement, and critically reflect on an individual study plan designed to support a student’s learning goals in their first year of university study. | GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Class Exercises | 1200 words or equivalent | 30% | Ongoing |
| Assessment 2: Research and Writing Exercise | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 3: Research and Writing Exercise | 1800 words | 45% | Week 9 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AIX160 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.