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

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 Bachelor of International Studies are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of these programs.

This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet to complete the Bachelor of International Studies and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program, so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.

Skills you need

These programs have inherent academic requirements in three categories:

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

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in the Bachelor of International Studies 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 member.

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 Bachelor of International Studies 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

• Verbal and nonverbal communication skills
• Written communication skills
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills

Verbal and nonverbal communication skills

The capacity to demonstrate:

• ability to communicate, and to understand accurately verbal communication in English, and respond verbally, in English, to a standard that allows fluid, clear, timely, and comprehensible two-way discussions
• develop strong communication skills as you research and present arguments in international politics
• ability to understand and to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
• ability to express ideas concisely and clearly with the capacity to develop skills in verbal reasoning
• listening comprehension skills that equip the student to deal with varied situations, from note-taking in lectures to work integrated learning situations
• sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences in their communication and ability to interact appropriately in different situations

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of International Studies because:

• Effective, respectful, and professional two-way communication, via verbal and non-verbal means, is required to participate in tutorials and group assessment tasks and, for creating safe learning environments.
• English language and literacy skills are the foundation from which students will develop and engage in sustained and organised academic argument.
• Interactivity of communication is necessary for receiving and implementing instructions and feedback and for resolving complex problems experienced in the academic and the professional disciplinary settings.

Adjustments

Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy issues to ensure appropriate support.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• engage in discussions, make verbal presentations and participate in tutorials and groupwork, conveying spoken and written messages, including complex academic perspectives, accurately and effectively
• convey verbal messages in the language being spoken where language studies are undertaken
• recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to verbal communication and non-verbal communication cues accurately and appropriately
• demonstrate appropriate awareness of own behaviours and their impact on others and show sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences

Written communication skills

The capacity to demonstrate:

• ability to construct coherent, timely, and professional written communication in English that complies with academic writing standards and is appropriate to circumstances and context.
• reading and comprehension of a range of literature and information in English

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of International Studies because:

• Construction of written tasks that adhere to required academic standards is necessary to communicate understanding of relevant subject matter.
• Effective written communication in English is a fundamental aspect of professional practice.

Adjustments

Adjustments must allow students to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy, and accessibility to ensure effective acquisition, recording, comprehension, and exchange of arguments and knowledges in academic and work integrated learning (industry project/internship) settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• construct essays, reports, creative works, and other written work that meet academic and professional standards
• paraphrase, summarise, and reference in accordance with appropriate academic, professional, and organisational practice conventions

Information and communication technology (ICT) skills

The capacity to acquire and demonstrate sound working skills in applying information and communication technologies (ICT) to communicate via a range of ICT applications and systems in both academic and professional settings.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of International Studies because competent ICT skills are essential to:

• successfully accessing, applying, manipulating, and communicating digital information and objects to meet learning outcomes
• preparing and completing assessment tasks and submitting assessment items online

Adjustments

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively adapt to and use a range of ICT to apply and communicate accurate information. UniSC has in place a range of strategies and technology to support students with disabilities. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the University’s AccessAbility Service.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• interact with technology in a constant, creative, confident and critical basis and use a range of software, applications and devices for academic, research, and work integrated learning (industry project/internship) settings. purposes, in face-to-face and online synchronous and asynchronous communication environments
• be agile and confident in your engagement with technology and employ a range of ICT skills (such as internet searching, word processing, video conferencing) to complete written and audio-visual learning and assessment activities

Behavioural and Social Skills

The capacity to demonstrate behavioural stability and adaptability in academic, professional and international environments which may be at times challenging and unpredictable. Students must be able to work with others and share responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and contexts. Students must be able to demonstrate cultural, political, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, workshops and/or work integrated learning (industry project/internship) settings.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of International Studies because students must be able to work constructively and ethically in socially, politically and culturally diverse academic/study environments work integrated learning (industry project/internship) settings.

Adjustments

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

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• engage with peers and staff appropriately and with sensitivity in discussion settings in the classroom, and in team tasks and be receptive, appropriate, and professional in responding to constructive written and verbal feedback
• demonstrate an ability to reflect on ethical considerations and issues and take responsibility for your own ethical behaviour and development
• manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with others in University and work integrated learning (industry project/internship) activities and where chosen, overseas study

Intellectual – Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

Ability to develop intellectual, cognitive and creative/artistic skills in a variety of academic and professional contexts relevant to the discipline and to apply acquired skills and knowledge in practice.

The capacity to demonstrate knowledge and application of theory and the skills of cognition, comprehension, creativity and numeracy, which includes:

• numeracy, literacy, knowledge, cognitive and metacognitive skills appropriate to the discipline
• capacity for independent critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, critical analysis, decision making, rational inquiry and self-directed learning

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of International Studies because conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities are necessary for the students to be able to fulfil the required range of academic and practical experience tasks.

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 to fulfil academic and practical experience assessment tasks
• read, interpret, synthesise, and comprehend information from multiple sources
• build strong conceptual frameworks and apply theories, models, concepts, policies, procedures, and practice in classroom discussions, group work, assessments, and professional contexts
• be aware of your own thinking and demonstrate skills to reflect, evaluate, adapt, and implement strategies for improved learning
• complete complex and challenging tasks in both the academic and the work integrated learning (industry project/internship) contexts which may require you to undertake and/or observe and monitor multiple tasks simultaneously and to employ high levels of mental concentration and attention to detail for sustained periods of time