The BCA is a collaborative teaching program and works a little differently from face-to-face (on-campus) studies delivered by one university.
Key facts about the program
Prospective students can apply to the university of their choice (among the 4 BCA awarding universities). Please be mindful that entry policies can differ across BCA awarding universities.
Each unit of study within the program is delivered online from one of 6 participating universities.
Applicants are advised to seek academic advice about their prospective study program from the Program Coordinator at the university in which they wish to enrol (this will become their ‘home’ university). The program coordinator is the academic at each awarding university responsible for the BCA program of courses in biostatistics.
The BCA Office facilitates administration between universities. BCA staff liaise between students, unit coordinators and university personnel. Enrolment must be through an awarding univeristy, but you are very welcome to direct enquiries to us.
Fees
All BCA courses at all member universities are full fee-paying. Unfortunately no Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are available.
FEE HELP is available through the Australian Government Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme.
1 Apply
Make sure you’ve checked the eligibility criteria
In addition to the standard procedures at your chosen university, you may be asked to complete a BCA form. These help us get you up and running at the start of semester. They are for BCA office use only; they do NOT constitute enrolment in units or courses. Application and subsequent enrolment must be completed at your home university.
Regardless of university cut-off dates, you should apply to enrol in plenty of time for the following semester. The consortium environment entails additional administration to get you setup to study.
Note that you may be able to enrol in one or two units as non-award units, depending on your current academic qualifications, either as a precursor to joining the BCA program or as a student of another award at a BCA university.
BCA office staff are always available to answer questions you may have. However, academic inquiries will need to be directed to the relevant Program Coordinator.
2 Accept
Once your application has been accepted, you will be sent an offer, which you need to accept before you can enrol at your chosen university via their online student administration system.
You will become a student of this university, so make sure you familiarise yourself with their online services, policies and procedures.
3 Enrol
Most units are associated with co/prerequisites and some units of study are semester specific whilst others are offered in both semesters. In order to plan your study, it is important to consult the Curriculum and Study Schedules.
Students enrol in units via their Home University Student Administration Portal. Given the additional administration between universities, students are encouraged to enrol in units early.
Always check the BCA semester dates, as they may not match your home university semester dates.
You will need to buy textbooks and software where required for your units of study. As you will generally need to make these purchases online, you should do this as soon as your application has been accepted.
When you need to enrol or withdraw from units of study, record changes to your personal details or apply for things such as deferral of study, you should do this through the online facility provided by your home university. For assistance with University policies and processes please contact your University’s Postgraduate Office or your Program Coordinator.
