Using the Library – postgraduate coursework students
Library support services and facilities to help you with your studies.
The Library can help you with advanced search strategies and literature reviews, managing your references and keeping up to date with the latest publications. Explore our self-guided options or make an appointment with a librarian. Choose from a range of dedicated postgraduate study spaces or almost 5,000 spaces across all our libraries.
Orientation
We can help you set up and get connected to the UWA systems that you will be depending on throughout your course.
O-Week checklist
Things I really need to do before the end of O-Week:
- Set up services which can support successful study, use your own device at UWA and utilise UWA systems and software. Check out our IT and printing support page.
- Log in to LMS (Learning Management System).
Week 1 checklist
If you haven’t already, look for the Academic Conduct Essentials (ACE) and Communication and Research Skills (CARS) units in your LMS and complete them early in the semester. This will help you understand the UWA academic environment and cover basic research skills.
- Start the ACE unit.
- Start the CARS unit.
- Check out our Library Workshops calendar.
Library workshops
Experienced librarians offer a regular program of workshops in areas such as literature searching, data discovery and management.
Support
Explore our Study Support page for all our online self-guided resources, referencing tips, Library Guides, workshops and a variety of links to how we can help you face-to-face.
Ask a librarian
We’re here to help you with advanced search strategies and literature reviews, managing your references and keeping up to date with the latest publications.
Finding and managing information
- OneSearch and databases
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OneSearch and databases are important places to search for scholarly information for your research. Explore our Library Guides ‘How do I find’, ‘I need to know about’ sections for search tips, or contact a faculty librarian for assistance.
OneSearch
Use OneSearch to find every print book, journal, DVD and database as well as millions of online books, journals, articles, reviews, films, documentaries and more. Sign in with Pheme to save searches and set up search alerts. Contact a faculty librarian for tips to becoming a OneSearch
super user .Databases
The Library provides access to the key databases in each discipline. Use the Databases link in the top ribbon in OneSearch to find a database specialising in your subject area.
- Theses
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Finding theses
UWA Master's and PhD theses submitted after May 2016 are available online via the UWA Profiles and Research Repository. Theses submitted prior to May 2016 are held in store as print copies and can be located by searching OneSearch.
Copyright and higher degree theses
The management of intellectual property issues is an essential part of research and publication for higher degree by research students.
- Managing research, referencing and borrowing
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Managing what you find
EndNote or Mendeley tools can help manage your readings so you can easily refer back to them and reference them in your assignments and essays.
Borrowing
You can borrow unlimited items from any of our five libraries using your Campus Card, and use OneSearch to request to pick up any item at your preferred library location.
- Requesting and recommending items
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Get It requests
You can submit a ‘Get It’ request for materials not held in our library collections. Sign in to OneSearch, and request a physical item from another library anywhere in the world, a digital scan of a book chapter or an article from a journal.
Recommend purchases
Postgraduate students can recommend items to be purchased and added to the Library collection.
- Special collections
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Special Collections contains the University's rare, unique and vulnerable library materials.
Spaces and facilities
Nearly 5,000 study spaces are available across the University’s five libraries. A range of study zones means you can study with friends, with a coffee, with a view, or focus alone and in silence – the choice is yours.
Our libraries offer a range of facilities, including PCs, power points, charging stations, Wi-Fi, printing, copying, scanning, group study spaces, digital screens and whiteboards for collaboration, parents rooms, universal access bathrooms, filtered hot and cold water, microwaves and more.
Our libraries offer opening hours to suit your study habits and activities on campus, including 24/7 access to selected libraries for eligible students.
Postgraduate study spaces
Dedicated postgraduate spaces are available at the Reid Library, second floor, and Barry J Marshall Library, third floor.

IT help
- Pheme, webmail and Unifi
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Pheme
Pheme
Pheme is your UWA network account. Use your Pheme password and your student number to access a range of online UWA services such as student email, Unifi, the Learning Management System (LMS), studentConnect and much more.Webmail
Webmail
Along with a Pheme account, you are automatically assigned a UWA email address when you enrol. It is important to use this email address as the University sends your official correspondence to it.Unifi
Unifi
Unifi is UWA’s Wi-Fi network. It works in all libraries and in lots of other places on campus. - Printing, copying and scanning
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UWA students can use any of the 100+ student-allocated printers located throughout the UWA libraries and general purpose computer labs across faculties.
You will need to have value on a Campus Card to print or copy at Library print stations. You can add value via autoloaders or online.
- CAS (Class Allocation System) and LMS (Learning Management System)
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CAS (Class Allocation System)
CAS
The Class Allocation System (CAS) is how you put together your timetable at UWA.LMS (Learning Management System)
LMS
UWA's Learning Management System uses Blackboard software. The LMS is a fully integrated web-based teaching and learning environment which supports the online delivery and administration of resources, communication, collaboration and assessment. It is a secure, online, password-protected system available to all current UWA staff and students anywhere, anytime.
Stay in touch
Contact us to receive help and support from our friendly, knowledgeable staff. You can also share your feedback or make a suggestion and follow the UWA Library on social media to receive helpful tips and up-to-date information about our services.