Plan and prepare
Taking the leap from high school to tertiary education can be daunting, but we're here to make the transition as seamless as possible. We've curated this easy guide to help you plan out the remainder of your high school years and prepare for life beyond school.
General FAQs
Rankings, ratings and accreditations – what does it all mean?
Rankings, ratings, and accreditations can be useful when selecting a university or program as they can help you to gauge the quality of the university, faculty, school, or program. Rankings and ratings often refer to a university's position amongst other universities (such as the Good Universities Guide, which assesses all Australian unis on a number of factors), whereas accreditation is designed to reward universities for meeting standards set by a relevant professional authority.
While rankings, ratings, and accreditations are important, the best university for an individual student is one that will meet their personal and educational needs. Rankings and ratings focus on a range of different criteria, from student experience through to research outcomes. In order for you to achieve your study and career ambitions, it is important to think about what kind of uni experience you're looking for. Here at Bond, we've been ranked #1 in Australia for undergraduate student experience for the last 17 years, according to the 2023 Good Universities Guide.
What if my grades don't meet the entry requirements?
Don’t worry! If your grades don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, Bond University offers a range of pathway programs via Bond University College to help you achieve the academic requirements you need and transition into a full degree. In most cases, this will still allow you to graduate ahead of your peers, as most of our diploma programs articulate directly into the third semester of an approved undergraduate degree.
Can I take a gap semester or year?
Yes, you can! Before taking a gap semester or gap year, we suggest securing your admission into university and then deferring your enrolment. At Bond University, we offer three semester intakes per year, in January, May, and September. So it's possible to start uni in May after having taken a gap semester in January, and to still finish the year with two semesters under your belt (along with your friends studying at other universities).
You could also consider completing a semester or two throughout your degree at an international university via exchange, which enables you to live and study in another country while gaining credit towards your degree.
How many class contact hours can I expect?
Most full-time bachelor’s degrees will average 12 class contact hours a week when undertaking four subjects – often two hours for a forum (equivalent to a lecture at other universities) and seminar, and one hour for a tutorial or lab – however, this may vary depending on your chosen degree and its requirements. Aside from class contact hours, you will also need to factor in time for independent study, just like you would currently be doing in high school.
Many students wonder whether Bond's three-semester-per-year timetable affects the intensity of classes, and we're happy to say that it doesn't – you'll find that Bond and other universities are quite similar in terms of pace and the course content covered in a semester. The key difference is that the break between semesters at Bond is shorter, meaning you finish your degree and can enter the workforce faster.
What are the class types?
Your university study schedule will vary throughout your degree meaning you might have certain class types in one semester and different class types the next. These class types include forums, tutorials, seminars, laboratories, and practicals – here's a brief outline on each type:
Forums are presented by an academic, usually to all students participating in a subject.
A tutorial (also known as a tute) consists of smaller groups where lecture materials are discussed in more detail.
Seminars are a combination of both a lecture and tutorial, and are often smaller than a lecture but larger than a tutorial.
A laboratory (also known as a lab) is a hands-on workshop that's more common in science-based degrees.
Practicals (also known as pracs) are hands on and often conducted in a clinical setting and a practical manner.
Do students work part time while studying?
Many students participate in casual or part-time work to support themselves while studying at university. While it can be challenging – it takes dedication, organisation, and hard work to ensure you meet your study requirements alongside paid work – many students benefit from the additional income or enjoy the opportunity to gain work experience during their time at uni.
What are my accommodation options?
There are a number of accommodation options both on Bond's campus and in the surrounding suburbs of the beautiful Gold Coast. Many students choose to live on campus in one of our residential buildings, in which there are either private or shared rooms available. Students who live on campus must also purchase a dining plan, which allows them to eat at any of our cafes or restaurants. Please note that on-campus accommodation fills up quickly, so it's important to know ahead of time whether you are interested in pursuing this option so you can make appropriate plans.
For those wanting more independence, there are a range of off-campus accommodation options within walking distance of Bond, as the University is nestled in the heart of a residential suburb (Varsity Lakes).
What student support services are available on campus?
At Bond, the personalised attention you receive in the classroom extends to every aspect of student life. We offer a range of complimentary support services to all students, including academic support, career guidance, our Nyombil Centre for Indigenous students, LGBTIQ+ support, and more.
What if I fail a uni subject?
A student who has failed a compulsory subject, program requirement, or core subject will be issued with an academic warning and will need to pay for and enrol in the subject again. If you are struggling throughout the semester, our academics have an open-door policy, meaning you can enjoy direct access to support during office hours. Bond students can also access our Academic Skills Centre, which provides personalised one-on-one support to help students reach their academic potential.
What safety and security measures are available on campus?
Our Safety and Security team is here to support students, staff, and the Bond community 24/7. In addition to patrolling the campus and being available via phone at any time, Campus Public Safety and Security offer a variety of programs such as safe escorts to your vehicle or nearby accommodation.
What living costs do I need to consider?
There are several costs to consider in addition to your university tuition fees. These range from accommodation and meals, to the Student Services and Amenities Fee, books, study material, and general living expenses.
Do I have to pay my university fees up front?
Tuition fees are charged each semester on a subject-by-subject basis. The respective semester's subject fees must be paid at the start of each semester. Many Australian and eligible New Zealand citizens choose to defer their tuition fees at Bond by using FEE-HELP, an interest-free Australian Government loan.
Explore a range of options for paying or deferring your university tuition fees as a domestic student.
High school vs university – what's the difference?
| High school | University | |
| Attendance | Attendance is compulsory, and if you miss a roll call you will need a note from your parent or guardian. Students are usually expected to stay on school grounds during school hours. | Students can come and go from campus at any time. Attendance is not usually taken at lectures, however it’s more common in a tutorial and inattendance may affect your grades. Student success is very much dependent on active attendance and participation in class activities. |
| Class hours | Your timetable is usually fixed and your hours are strict; for example, from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. | Your timetable changes with each semester and according to the subjects you are taking. Most full-time bachelor’s degrees will average a total of 12 class contact hours a week (when taking four subjects). |
| Class work and scheduling | Teachers help organise student work and advise students how to prioritise their study time. | Academics will not prompt students to prioritise their work. Preparing for classes is the student’s responsibility. |
| Class sizes | Class sizes are limited with often no more than 30 students to a class. You will usually have access to your teacher inside class hours. | There are different types of classes that range in size. For example, a forum or lecture usually contains all students in a subject, while tutorials are smaller (around 10 students at Bond, or around 30 students at other universities). You'll likely need to prepare for your forums and/or tutorials outside of class hours. |
| Teachers vs academics | Teachers check completed work, remind students of incomplete tasks, provide information students might have missed in their work, and remind students of assignment due dates. | Academics are helpful, however they do not check required reading or remind you to complete or hand in work. Students are required to note assessment due dates and be responsible for the timely delivery of their own work. |
| Support | Teachers usually encourage students to seek out support where required. | Students are generally responsible for seeking out the support services available to them at university. Fortunately, Bond has lots of personalised support services on offer, and the Bond community is an inherently supportive one. |
University terms glossary
Admission
Entry to an award program, course, or non-award study at a university.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree typically consists of 24 subjects weighted at 10 credit points (cps) per subject, and is the entry qualification for many professions or further study.
Bursary
An award made to enable further study on the basis of equity that can be used towards non-tuition expenses like accommodation, food, student activity fees, and textbooks.
Census date
The point at which a student’s enrolment into a course becomes effective and they are financially liable for the course.
Chancellor
A Chancellor is the non-resident formal head of a university, who works closely with the Vice Chancellor.
Credit
The granting of academic credit is an identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes between matched qualifications.
Combined degrees
A combined degree, AKA a double degree, means a student studies two degrees concurrently (e.g., two concurrent bachelor's degrees) or one directly after the other (e.g., a bachelor's degree that transitions directly into a master's degree). With Bond’s accelerated schedule, you can graduate with two degrees in the same time it takes students at other universities to complete one.
Contact hours
The period of time you are expected to be on campus attending classes like tutorials and lectures.
Deferment
The postponed commencement of a program of study – usually available for no longer than a year.
Degree
An award conferred by the university and certified by a testamur in one of the following categories: bachelor's degree, honours degree, master's degree, doctoral degree.
Diploma
Diplomas are non-degree offerings and can be completed as a pathway for students who don’t meet the academic requirements for direct entry into their chosen bachelor's degree.
Double major
A double major consists of two chosen areas of in-depth specialisation in an undergraduate course, totalling 12 subjects.
Faculty or School
A division within a university or college comprising similar discipline areas.
Gap year or semester
A gap year is typically a year-long break from study, while a gap semester is a semester-long break.
Graduate
A person who has successfully completed the requirements for their course and has had an award formally conferred by the relevant university.
GPA
Grade point average (GPA) is an internationally recognised method of assigning academic performance via a numerical index on a scale.
Major
A major is a chosen area of in-depth specialisation in an undergraduate course and consists of a cluster of six elective subjects.
Minor
A minor is a chosen area of specialisation in an undergraduate course and consist of three subjects selected from one area of specialisation.
Scholarship
An award made in recognition of merit, service, or for reasons of equity that covers some or all of the awarded student's tuition fees or external costs.
Semester
Most university academic years are divided into two semesters of 17 weeks, which usually consists of 12 teaching weeks, three non-teaching weeks and two exam weeks. At Bond, the academic year is divided into three semesters (commencing in January, May and September) of 14 weeks, which consists of 13 teaching weeks and one week of exams.
Study abroad and exchange
An opportunity to study at a partner university (often overseas) for one or two semesters to experience a different culture and/or language while studying. Students usually remain enrolled at their current university while completing an exchange or study abroad program.
Undergraduate study
School leavers will typically enrol in undergraduate studies, which include bachelor degrees, associate degrees, and diplomas.
Vice Chancellor
A Vice Chancellor is a resident official serving as the deputy to the Chancellor tasked with the leadership and development of a university.