Experience online study before you begin – UoA Online: Start Smart.
Your free online preparation course, helping you feel confident and ready to succeed from day one. Explore DegreesExplore Courses
Experience online study before you begin –
UoA Online: Start Smart.
Your free online preparation course, helping you feel confident and ready to succeed from day one.
Starting smart with UoA Online is free when you apply to study with us.
Gain six weeks of online preparation before you begin, designed to build your confidence, study skills, and professional network. Discover how postgraduate study can support your career goals.
Keen to hear more? Watch the video to see what the team have to say.
Why starting smart matters.
Balancing postgraduate study with work and life takes preparation, and that’s exactly what this course is designed for.
Over six weeks, you’ll create a personal development plan that connects your study to your career goals, build a confident and motivated study mindset, and develop practical time management habits to balance your commitments.
By the time you finish, you’ll have a clear plan, new connections, and the confidence to begin your postgraduate study feeling fully prepared.
Discover what it’s like to study with UoA Online.
Watch the learning experience video.
How to access UoA Online: Start Smart:
Applicants will receive access to the course by 9 December 2025.
After this date, access will be provided within three business days of receiving your application.
We recommend applying at least seven weeks before your programme or course begins to make the most of the six weeks of preparation and learning before you start.
Get started with UoA Online! Find a degree or course that suits you:
Frequently asked questions about this course
How do I gain access UoA Online Start Smart?
UoA Online Start Smart is available to anyone who applies to study with UoA Online. Simply find a degree or course that interests you, submit an application, and you will receive a personal invitation and access link to the UoA Online Start Smart course by 9 December 2025. After this date, access will be provided within three business days of receiving your application.
What happens if I complete UoA Online Start Smart but do not continue on to postgraduate study with UoA Online? Will I have to pay for the course?
No. UoA Online Start Smart is a free online preparation course available to anyone who applies to study with UoA Online. You will keep access to the course for the duration of your studies. If you do not proceed to enrol in your chosen postgraduate degree or course, your access to UoA Online Start Smart will conclude once the intake commences. You will be able to download and keep the personal development plan you create during the course before your access concludes.
Is completion of UoA Online Start Smart a requirement to study with UoA Online?
No. All applicants to UoA Online receive access to the course, but completion is entirely optional. Completion of the course will help you begin your postgraduate study feeling fully prepared.
Does the course count toward my GPA?
This course is not graded and does not count towards your GPA. It will not appear on your academic transcript. However, you will be encouraged to share your achievement with your professional network upon completion of the course.
What device do I need to access the course?
To study online, you’ll need access to a laptop or desktop computer running Windows 10 or macOS 11 or later with a stable internet connection (2.0Mbps upload/download speed or above). Our online learning platform is accessible via web browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are recommended for best performance).
