Assessment arrangements for students from language backgrounds other than English

If you are a new student to the university coming from a language background other than English you may be able to apply for special assessment arrangements for assessments within your first year. These arrangements are designed to help you transition to studying in English at The Australian National University and approval is course-based. You may apply for altered assessment arrangements if you:

  • were educated in a country where English is not the first language and speak a language other than English at home; or
  • were born outside Australia and arrived in Australia up to ten years prior to the date of application and speak a language other than English at home; or
  • were born in Australia but before enrolling at ANU lived in a country where English is not the first language and who speak a language other than English at home.

As well as meeting one of the requirements above you must also:

  • be in your first 12 months of enrolment, either full-time or part-time; and
  • be able to demonstrate a mix of both linguistic and cultural factors, which disadvantage you in timed assessment tasks such as examinations or tests conducted in English; and
  • have evidence that you are undertaking formal English language training courses or are engaged in activities that can be expected would improve English language skills. This arrangement is applicable only from the start to the end of the academic year 2022, or until alternative English language training arrangements are in place, whichever is later.

Applications will be assessed by the relevant Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model, activities and assessment tasks involved in the course. Arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students who have already studied for 12 months are not eligible to apply for assessment arrangements.

Students are encouraged to seek support whenever needed. 
Please visit the Health, Safety & Wellbeing webpage for available support services. 

 

Step 1
Submit application

Your application must be submitted to your ANU College Student Adminstration Office before 10% of a teaching period has elapsed. Please note you will need to submit an application for each semester you wish to have special assessment arrangements.



Step 2
Notification

You will be notified in writing by the relevant ANU College Student Administration Office once an outcome has been assessed by the Associate Dean (Education).



Step 3
Submit an appeal

If you are dissatisfied with the decision regarding your request for special assessment, you may appeal to the relevant College Associate Dean (Education) to review the decision. This appeal must be made in writing within 20 working days of the date of advice of the original decision.

You may appeal the decision of Associate Dean (Education) to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) on procedural grounds only. This appeal must be made in writing within 20 working days of the date of advice of the decision by the College Associate Dean (Education).



Resources

Policies

Contact