Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
Study time that's worth it.
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are free, weekly group study sessions for key undergraduate courses.
The sessions are led by PASS leaders – friendly senior students who have excelled in the course and are trained to facilitate group discussions and problem-solving.
PASS sessions are a great way to reinforce key concepts and connect with peers in the same course. Delivered in small groups, each session’s content is student-driven to meet your specific academic needs.
Attending PASS regularly can help you:
Improve your grades
Build confidence with flexible learning
Develop study skills
Enhance your understanding
Make new friends
See also
The difference PASS makes
95% of students
feel more confident in their studies after attending PASS
6 to 9 marks
is the average boost in results for students who attend PASS regularly
💬 Why students come to PASS (participant feedback)
“The leader was super friendly and had lots of positive energy, making everyone feel very welcome and creating a really safe space to learn, ask questions, and consolidate everything from the lectures each week.”
“It cleared doubts for me that I couldn't find the answer to even in ChatGPT.”
“It’s just so helpful to be able to discuss problems and doubts with peers and people who’ve done this course.”
PASS sessions run in-person and online (via Teams) for one hour each week from Weeks 2-10 (excluding Week 6 and public holidays).
There is no need to register if you plan on attending, just drop by! You'll get the most out of PASS if you attend regularly but you're welcome to come by when you can.
Please note: You can find the current term's PASS timetables below and on Moodle. While session details are released before the start of each term, we encourage you to sign up for or confirm session details here closer to their dates.
🔎 Looking for ¼ Business School PASS?
Looking for Business courses? Check out available sessions for Business School's PASS program.
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There are no PASS sessions available this term for courses under this code.
Please check back here next term for session updates.
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ARTS1811 – Contemporary Issues in Government and Global Politics
- Monday 6-7pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Thursday 11am-12pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
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BABS1201 – Molecules, Cells and Genes
- Monday 3-4pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Wednesday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
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CHEM1011 – Chemistry 1A: Atoms, Molecules and Energy
- Tuesday 1-2pm: Join us in Room 208 at the Main Library (walk straight from the main entrance on Level 2) at Kensington campus
- Thursday 10-11am: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
CHEM1021 – Chemistry 1B: Elements, Compounds and Life
- Tuesday 5-6pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Friday 11am-12pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
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CRIM1010 – Criminology: An Introduction
- Monday 4-5pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Wednesday 6-7pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
CRIM1011 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Monday 6-7pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Wednesday 2-3pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
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DART1301 – Histories of Contemporary Art: Part 2
- Wednesday1-2賾: Join us in at Paddington campus
- Wednesday6-7賾: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
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DDES1201 – Design History and Theory 2
- Tuesday1-2賾: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Wednesday1-2賾: Join us in at Paddington campus
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EDST1101 – Educational Psychology
- Monday2-3賾: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Wednesday5-6賾: Join us in at Kensington campus
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ELEC1111 – Electrical Circuit Fundamentals
- Monday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Tuesday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Wednesday 4-5pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Thursday 7-8pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
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ENGG1300 – Engineering Mechanics
- Tuesday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Wednesday 6-7pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Friday 12-1pm*: Join us in at Kensington campus
* Please note: In Week 7 and 9, this session will run from 12-1pm in at Kensington campus.
ENGG1811 – Computing for Engineers
- Wednesday 11am-12pm: Join us at at Kensington campus
- Thursday 3-4pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
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EXPT1155 – Exercise Physiology and Metabolism
- Tuesday 1-2pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Thursday 1-2pm: Join us at on Kensington campus
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MATH1041 – Stats for Life & Social Sciences
- Monday 4-5pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Tuesday 12-1pm: Join us in Room 208 at the Main Library (walk straight from the main entrance on Level 2) at Kensington campus
MATH1081 – Discrete Mathematics
- Monday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Thursday 1-2pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
MATH1131 – Mathematics 1A
- Tuesday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Wednesday 1-2pm: Join us at at Kensington campus
- Thursday 1-2pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
MATH1231 – Mathematics 1B
- Monday 4-5pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Wednesday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Thursday 12-1pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
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There are no PASS sessions available this term for courses under this code.
Please check back here next term for session updates.
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MMAN1130 – Design and Manufacturing
- Wednesday 6-7pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Thursday 2-3pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Friday 11am-12pm*: Join us in at Kensington campus
* Please note: In Week 7 and 9, this session will run from 12-1pm in at Kensington campus.
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There are no PASS sessions available this term for courses under this code.
Please check back here next term for session updates.
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PHYS1121-1131 – Physics 1A
- Wednesday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Thursday 6-7pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
PHYS1221-1231 – Physics 1B
- Tuesday 3-4pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Thursday 3-4pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Friday 11am-12pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
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PSYC1011 – Psychology 1B
- Wednesday 12-1pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Friday 3-4pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
PSYC1111 – Measuring Mind and Behaviour
- Tuesday 12-1pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Wednesday 3-4pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Thursday 2-3pm*: Join us in Room 208 at the Main Library (walk straight from the main entrance on Level 2) at Kensington campus
* Please note: This session starts in Week 3.
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REGZ9073 – University Preparation Program Mathematics Skills 3
- Thursday 6-7pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Friday 3-4pm: Join us in Room 208 at the Main Library (walk straight from the main entrance on Level 2) at Kensington campus
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SOSS1001 – Social Research & Society
- Monday 4-5pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
- Wednesday 10-11am: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
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VISN1221 – Visual Optics
- Monday 4-5pm: Join via Microsoft Teams (check your course page for the link)
- Friday 1-2pm: Join us in at Kensington campus
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Find each course we offer PASS for below, organised by faculty. We may update the list throughout the year.
Please note: Sessions for a specific course are only offered during the term in which that course is run.
- ADA
- Engineering
- Law
- Medicine
- Science
- Uni Prep
Arts, Design & Architecture
- ARTS1360 Truth and Human Existence: Introduction to Philosophy
- ARTS1811 Contemporary Issues in Government and Global Politics
- ARTS1846 Politics, Peace and Prosperity
- DART1300 Histories of Contemporary Art: Part 1
- DART1301 Histories of Contemporary Art: Part 2
- DDES1200 Design History and Theory 1
- DESS1201 Design History and Theory 2
- EDST1101 Educational Psychology
- EDST1104 Social Perspectives in Education
- EDST2003 Learning and Teaching: Language, Literacy and Numeracy
- MDIA1092 Working with Data
- SOSS1000 Policy & Society
- SOSS1001 Social Research & Society
- SOCW1001 Introduction to Social Work
Engineering
- ELEC1111 Electrical Circuit Fundamentals
- ENGG1300 Engineering Mechanics
- ENGG1811 Computing for Engineers
- MMAN1130 Design and Manufacturing
Law & Justice
- CRIM1010 Criminology: An Introduction
- CRIM1011 Introduction to Criminal Justice
Also see Law & Justice mentoring programs.
Medicine & Health
- ANAT1521-ANAT2111 Anatomy for Medical Science / Introductory Anatomy
- PHRM1021 Introductory Pharmaceutical Sciences
- VISN1111 Geometrical and Physical Optics
- VISN1221 Visual Optics
Also see Medicine & Health mentoring programs.
Science
- AVIA1401 Introduction to Human Factors
- BABS1201 Molecules, Cells and Genes
- BABS1202 Applied Biomolecular Sciences
- CHEM1001 Introductory Chemistry
- CHEM1011 Chemistry 1A: Atoms, Molecules and Energy
- CHEM1021 Chemistry 1B: Elements, Compounds and Life
- CHEM1832 Chemistry for Health Science
- MATH1041 Statistics for Life and Social Sciences
- MATH1081 Discrete Mathematics
- MATH1131 Mathematics 1A
- MATH1151 Mathematics for Actuarial Studies and Finance 1A
- MATH1152 Mathematics for Actuarial Studies and Finance 1B
- MATH1231 Mathematics 1B
- PHYS1111 Fundamentals of Physics
- PHYS1121-1131 Physics 1A
- PHYS1221-1231 Physics 1B
- PSYC1001 Psychology 1A
- PSYC1011 Psychology 1B
- PSYC1111 Measuring Mind and Behaviour
- PSYC2001 Research Methods 2
University Preparation Program
- REGZ9070 UPP Mathematics Skills 1
- REGZ9072 UPP Mathematics Skills 2
- REGZ9073 UPP Mathematics Skills 3
- What happens during sessions?
- How can I get the most out of PASS?
- How do I join PASS?
During a PASS session, you’ll have the chance to:
- Participate in interactive activities and games
- Collaboratively solve practice questions
- Engage in meaningful discussions on course topics
- Team up to study with fellow students in your course
- Learn effective strategies for preparing for tests and exams.
Please note: PASS Leaders cannot directly answer assessment questions, but they can help you understand the concepts that underlie them. Please direct assessment questions to your tutor or Course Convenor.
To get the most out of your PASS session:
- Come prepared with questions (the PASS leader will ask what you want to focus on)
- Stay up to date with lectures, readings and your notes
- Participate and share your thoughts
- Collaborate with your peers
- Take notes during sessions to reinforce your understanding
- Review session materials afterward to solidify your knowledge
- Make it a habit to attend regularly.
Do I need to register?
You can simply drop into the sessions, there's no need to register!
PASS begins in Week 2 and runs through to Week 10 (except Week 6 and public holidays). We usually have interactive online and on-campus face-to-face options for each course's sessions.
Where can I find session timetables?
We release session timetables for PASS at the start of each term. You can find session details above and on Moodle.
While there’s no need to register, we recommend you to sign up for to receive regular updates. Calendar reminders will also keep you up to date with any changes in location or time for particular sessions.
Do I have to attend every session?
It's best to attend the same session every week, but there’s no obligation. You can choose to attend some weeks but not others, or even attend multiple sessions for the same course.
Contact us
We welcome all feedback on ¼ PASS, whether positive or negative. Please share your thoughts or queries with us by sending us an email at pass@unsw.edu.au.