• Before you enrol
• Communication skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Behavioural and social skills

Committed to equity and diversity

At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.

Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.

The inherent academic requirements of the Diplomas in Business Innovation, Creative Industries, Social and Human Services and Science and Technology are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve in order to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of these UniSC Pathway Diplomas.

This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for the UniSC Pathway Diplomas so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.

Skills you need

The UniSC Pathway Diplomas have inherent academic requirements in three categories: 

• Communication skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Behavioural and social skills 

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in a UniSC Pathway Diplomas at UniSC, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.

If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff.

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of the UniSC Pathway Diplomas if the adjustment is:

• logistically reasonable
• likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner 

Support and further information is available from UniSC

• Ability Advisers

• Career Advisers

• Relevant academic contacts

Communication Skills

The UniSC Pathway Diplomas require effective verbal and written communication skills.

Verbal communication 

The capacity to demonstrate effective verbal communication in English including:

• sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences
• the ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and effectively
• the ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
• the ability to provide clear feedback and reporting

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the UniSC Pathway Diplomas because:

• Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships
• Interactivity of communication is necessary for effectiveness of advice and for resolving complex problems in the course
• Verbal communication is essential for developing and maintaining effective relationships with peers in tutorials and in group assessment tasks 

Adjustments

Adjustments must address effectiveness, clarity and accuracy issues.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• Participate in tutorial discussions
• Respond appropriately to an information request in the classroom 

Written Communication 

Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental part of academic practice. UniSC Pathway Diploma students must be able to acquire, understand, apply and convey information in a written format. Students must have the capacity to demonstrate construction of coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstances.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the UniSC Pathway Diplomas because:

• Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter.
• Accurate written communication is essential to provide consistent workplace service.

Adjustments

Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in academic, and work settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• construct an essay or research report to academic standards
• transmit written information to others

Behavioural and Social Skills

The capacity to demonstrate the behavioural stability required to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic environment.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the UniSC Pathway Diplomas because behavioural stability is required to work individually and in groups in the academic environment. UniSC Pathway Diploma students will be required to have behavioural stability to manage their academic responsibilities.

Adjustments

Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in academic and professional settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• be receptive and professional in responding appropriately to constructive feedback
• manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals both in classroom and work settings
• be able to engage with peers and staff appropriately and with sensitivity in discussion settings in the classroom and in team tasks.

Intellectual – Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

UniSC Pathway Diplomas require knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition, comprehension and numeracy. Consistent knowledge and effective cognition skills must be demonstrated to provide competent work practice. The student must have the capacity to demonstrate:

• ability to analyse information to complete a range of activities
• ability to locate appropriate and relevant information
• ability to process information
• ability to integrate and implement knowledge

This involves:

• possessing English literacy skills that allow the creation and interpretation of clear meaning
• knowledge acquisition, utilisation, and retention spanning all coursework material
• accurate processing and reasoning with numbers and numerical concepts
• cognitive skills for focus, memory, attention to detail, theoretical deliberation, and practical functioning to meet academic standards 

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the UniSC Pathway Diplomas because:

• The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure effective assessment and advice.
• The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for understanding and applying academic principles.

Adjustments

Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items
• demonstrate the capacity to apply knowledge of policy and procedures in class discussions and professional contexts
• acquire evidence and accurately convey information both in data and numerical formats