Responsible officer: Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Designated officer: Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Approving authority: Council
Approval: C09/92, 8 December 2009
Last amended:
Effective starting date: 5 January 2010
Any rules/policies replaced by this policy: Basis on which USC Awards Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas Statement
Policy number: G25
Related policies:
- Doctoral Degrees – Governing Policy
- Learning and Teaching – Governing Policy
- Research Masters Degrees – Governing Policy
- Postgraduate Coursework Programs and Awards – Institutional Operating Policy
- Program Accreditation and Course Approval - Governing and Institutional Operating Policy
- Undergraduate Programs and Awards – Institutional Operating Policy
Due date for next review: 8 December 2014
Part A: Preliminary
1. Purpose of policy
This policy is intended to provide a framework for the structure and requirements of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs and related awards offered by the University.
This policy does not relate to higher degrees by research.
2. Application of policy
This policy applies to all staff and decision-making bodies involved in the development and approval of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs of the University, and agents and partners of the University.
3. Definitions
In this policy the following definitions apply:
Award means the qualification granted to a student who has completed all the requirements of the program associated with the award.
Course means a discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single teaching session, in which the student enrols, and on completion of which the student is awarded a grade, such grades appearing on a student's Official Statement of Academic Record.
Postgraduate in level means a postgraduate coursework program that provides students with an advanced knowledge of a specialist field of study or area of professional practice involving theoretical and applied topics.
Postgraduate in time means postgraduate coursework program that provides students with the opportunity to either develop a new discipline area, or extend skills and knowledge in a specialist field, usually with an emphasis on the acquisition or enhancement of professional or vocational skills and knowledge.
Degree means the specific qualifier associated with Doctoral, Master, Bachelor Honours, Bachelor and Associate qualifications.
Program means a set of coherently scoped, sequenced and structured studies or courses undertaken by a student in order to meet the requirements for award of a qualification, other than a higher degree by research that is conferred by the Council of the University.
Qualification means the award category as defined in the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Study component means a coherent set of courses that develop a particular academic theme which is formally recognised on the Official Statement of Academic Record. This includes Majors, Extended Majors, Minors, Specialisations and Dean’s Scholars.
Teaching session means the period within which courses are delivered, which may be further referred to as a semester or a session. Each Teaching Session has a “start of teaching” date, a “census date”, an “end of teaching date” and a defined length, in weeks. A teaching session may also have a study break period and/or an examination period specified, but this is not a requirement.
Testamur means the official certificate of the University that attests to a particular person having satisfied the requirements for and graduated from a particular award of the University at a particular time.
Unit means the value assigned to a course. As a general guide, the expectation is that students will undertake approximately 130 hours of work for each 12 units of coursework, including all forms of teaching contact and private study.
Part B: Policy
4. Awards and programs
4.1 Award Titles
4.1.1 The award title for a program is approved by Academic Board or Council and is the title shown on the testamur issued to students who have completed the stipulated program requirements.
4.1.2 Award titles fall into three categories:
Generic Award Title
Generic award titles are used if the program spans a wide range of related discipline areas, e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science.
Specific Award Title
Specific award tiles are used if the program reflects a specific discipline area, e.g., Bachelor of Nursing Science or Bachelor of Corporate and Public Affairs.
Where a specific award title is proposed, the title must be justified by addressing the following considerations:
(a) the structure and extent of specialisation within the program;
(b) the extent of the recruitment or marketing demands for the title;
(c) the extent of the professional or employment demands for the title;
(d) the life expectancy of the value of the title;
(e) the extent of use of the specific title nationally and internationally; and
(f) any issues of false advertising and misunderstanding by students and employers.
Generic Award Title or Specific Award Title with a Specialisation
In the case of postgraduate coursework programs Faculties may choose to add a Specialisation as a descriptor to the generic award title or the specific award title to be printed on the testamur, subject to the approval of Academic Board or Council.
4.2 Additional forms of awards
4.2.1 Dual awards
Dual awards may be established as a combined qualification of a USC program together with a program offered by another institution, such as a registered Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider, with a single entry point leading to the granting of two awards at different levels from each institution.
4.2.2 Joint awards
Joint awards may be established as either a single award program or a double award program offered in collaboration between USC and one or more other higher education institutions.
4.2.3 Double awards
Double award programs with a single entry point lead to the granting of two awards.
5. Program
5.1 The University is committed to providing high quality and well-designed coursework programs that meet the needs of its students and address those of the community. Programs at the University are designed and constructed based on the following principles.
5.2 Programs will:
(a) align to guidelines for learning outcome characteristics and pathways as described in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Implementation Handbook;
(b) set clear academic expectations and standards;
(c) provide clear and consistent program completion requirements for students;
(d) meet the University’s requirement with regard to the Graduate Attributes as identified in the Learning and Teaching - Governing Policy; and
(e) not be offered until they have been accredited by the process identified in the Program Accreditation and Course Approval - Governing and Institutional Operating Policy
5.3 Codes for programs are in the format of two alphabetic characters followed by three numeric characters, for example AR362. The first two characters normally represent the Faculty administering the program, or designate the program as interfaculty in the case of a program offered collaboratively by two or more faculties.
5.4 Program mode of offering
5.4.1 Programs may be offered in either internal or external mode:
Internal mode—The designation of a program as being offered in internal mode indicates that one or more required courses are offered internally and there is a requirement for on-campus attendance.
External mode—The designation of a program as being offered in external mode indicates that all courses which comprise the program are offered externally such that there is very limited or no requirement for on campus attendance.
5.4.2 The mode in which the program is offered is approved by Academic Board or Council as part of the accreditation process.
6. Program levels
6.1 Under the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), the University has the authority to accredit coursework programs that include but are not limited to:
Master Degree
Graduate Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma
Graduate Certificate/Postgraduate Certificate
Bachelor Honours Degree
Bachelor Degree
Associate Degree
Other sub-bachelor programs
6.2 When accrediting programs at these levels, the University must ensure that the program conforms to the guidelines contained within the AQF Implementation Handbook.
6.3 Master degree
6.3.1 Coursework master degrees:
(a) provide students with an advanced knowledge of a specialist field of study or area of professional practice involving theoretical and applied topics (Postgraduate in Level); and/or
(b) allow the student to either develop a new discipline area, or extend skills and knowledge in a specialist field, usually with an emphasis on the acquisition or enhancement of professional or vocational skills and knowledge (Postgraduate in Time).
6.3.2 A coursework master degree is a program of at least 96 units.
6.4 Graduate Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate/Postgraduate Certificate
6.4.1 Graduate certificates/postgraduate certificates and graduate diplomas/postgraduate diplomas are coursework programs that are designed to provide ongoing professional development and to prepare graduates for further postgraduate study and/or designed for specific professional purposes.
6.4.2 Postgraduate diplomas and postgraduate certificates are coursework programs comprising 96 and 48 units, respectively, where the student’s knowledge is developed on the basis of an undergraduate program in the same discipline area.
6.4.3 Graduate diplomas and graduate certificates are coursework programs comprising at least 96 and 48 units, respectively, where the knowledge gained by the student is in a different discipline area to their undergraduate program and/or which provide the means for students with relevant work experience to gain a formal qualification.
6.5 Bachelor honours degree
6.5.1 Bachelor honours degrees are normally undertaken after the completion of a three year bachelor degree in which the student demonstrates a high level of academic achievement, and which provides a link between undergraduate study and higher degrees by research. This is a stand-alone qualification.
6.5.2 A bachelor honours degree is a program of at least 96 units.
6.5.3 The structure must contain a coursework component of least 24 units and a dissertation component of at least 48 units.
6.6 Bachelor degree
6.6.1 Bachelor degrees provide students with a systematic and coherent introduction to a body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts, and the associated problem-solving techniques.
6.6.2 The bachelor degree facilitates students development of the academic skills and attributes needed to comprehend and evaluate new information and concepts from a range of sources so that after completion of a degree they can continue to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge gained in their undergraduate studies.
6.6.3 The content in a bachelor degree is taken to a significant depth, and knowledge is progressively developed to a high level to provide a basis for professional careers and pathways to postgraduate study and research.
6.6.4 The bachelor degree is a program of 288 units or more of study.
6.7 Bachelor degree with merit honours
6.7.1 In a bachelor degree with merit honours a student is awarded a 384 unit undergraduate degree with honours on the basis of one of the following:
(a) a high level of achievement over the whole degree;
(b) a high level of achievement in at least 96 units of the degree; or
(c) a high level of achievement in at least 96 units of identified advanced level courses (differentiated pathway).
6.8 Associate degree
6.8.1 An associate degree is a program of 192 units of study, which provides students with an introduction to the foundations of a discipline or across several disciplines or an entry point to associated professional occupations. Students are expected to acquire an understanding of the foundations of one or more disciplines, including key concepts and theories. They will also develop academic and generic employment related skills.
6.9 Other sub-bachelor programs
6.9.1 The University may establish other undergraduate programs at sub-Bachelor level (advanced diploma and diploma) in specific circumstances. The designation of such programs, their length and their purpose is approved on a case by case basis, with due regard to the guidelines of the Australian Qualifications Framework, the practices of other institutions in the naming of similar awards, and the views of the industry, profession or employer for which the program is designed.
7. Other forms of programs
7.1 Double degree program
7.1.1 A double degree program has a single entry point leading to two awards at either the same or different levels. The two degrees are undertaken either concurrently or sequentially. In the case of a double degree comprising degrees of different levels, students may be required to achieve a particular Grade Point Average in the lower level degree before entry to the higher level deegree is granted.
7.1.2 On completion of a concurrent double degree, a student graduates from both degrees at once, with an award for each of the two component degrees (e.g., a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science).
7.1.3 On completion of a sequential double degree, a student graduates sequentially from the lower, then the higher, level degree.
7.2 Nested suites of programs
7.2.1 Nested suites of two or more programs may be designed with specific credit transfer arrangements that allow students to easily articulate between programs at different levels. Arrangements for nested suites of programs are approved at the time of accreditation, and are subject to the following requirements:
(a) a nested suite comprises two or more programs in the same discipline area at different levels;
(b) all required courses in a lower level program are included in all higher level programs; and
(c) a 100% credit transfer arrangement exists between nested suites of programs.
7.2.2 Entry to the higher level program may specify a minimum level of performance or require additional entry requirements, which will be specified at the time the program is accredited.
7.3 Exit program
7.3.1 In some cases, an exit program within the same discipline area of a shorter duration may be possible for students who do not complete all the requirements of the original program. Some programs may be available as exit programs only with no direct entry. Possible exit programs include:
(a) an associate degree is an early exit option from a three-year bachelor degree;
(b) a three-year bachelor degree that is an early exit option from a four-year bachelor degree;
(c) a nested suite of postgraduate programs may be established such that students can choose to exit from an uncompleted higher level program in the suite, and be awarded a lower level program on the basis of satisfactory completion of the requirements for the lower level program.
8. Study component
8.1 A study component either identifies a specific cohort of students or is a coherent set of courses that develops a particular academic theme.
8.2 All study components within a program are approved by Academic Board as part of the program requirements.
8.3 Two types of study components may be included in an undergraduate program. These are a Major, Extended Major and a Minor comprising 96, 144 and 48 units of study, respectively.
8.4 A study component included in a postgraduate program is termed a Specialisation and comprises 48 units of study.
8.5 The Dean’s Scholars study component may be identified in either undergraduate or postgraduate programs and is used to identify academically gifted students. There will normally be special conditions associated with the Dean’s Scholars study component, such as defined entry requirements, progression performance and the completion of courses that may not be required in a standard program.
8.6 Recording of study components
8.6.1 All study components appear on the Official Statement of Academic Record.
8.6.2 Specialisations may be included in award titles on a USC testamur if approved during the accreditation process.
9. Course
9.1 A course is a discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single teaching session, in which the student enrols, and on completion of which the student is awarded a grade, such grades appearing on a student's Official Statement of Academic Record.
9.2 The course is assigned a unit value that is approved by Academic Board.
9.3 The course is assigned a unique code, in the format of three alphabetic characters followed by three numeric characters, for example COR109. The first three characters indicate the area of study reflecting the course’s content. The first of the numeric characters indicates the level of study.
9.4 Course study levels are:
100 level: introductory, normally associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program, normally has limited or no prerequisites;
200 level: advanced, builds on introductory knowledge developing depth or breath, normally undertaken in the second or third full-time study year of an undergraduate program;
300 level: advanced, builds on introductory and intermediate knowledge, increasing depth, normally requires prerequisites, usually undertaken in the third full-time study year of an undergraduate program;
400 level: advanced, normally used for meeting professional requirements, usually associated with the fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program or a Bachelor Honours program;
500 level: is normally indicative of a Postgraduate Certificate course;
600 level: is normally indicative of a Postgraduate Diploma course;
700 level: is normally indicative of a Master by Coursework course.
9.5 Courses coded at 200, 300 and 400 level are collectively referred to as advanced level undergraduate courses.
9.6 Courses coded at 100, 200, 300 and 400 levels may be used in Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master by Coursework (in time) programs.
9.7 A course may not be offered until a Course Outline has been approved by Academic Board. A Course Outline is used for approval of the course and provides information to current and prospective students and other stakeholders.
9.8 Requisite courses
9.8.1 A prerequisite course encompasses specific knowledge the student needs to possess in order to progress to a subsequent nominated course. As such, it must be completed prior to undertaking the subsequent course.
9.8.2 Co-requisite course encompasses specific knowledge that complements the knowledge gained in a nominated co-requisite course. As such, it must be succcessfully completed or studies concurrently with, the nominated co-requisite course.
9.8.3 An Anti-requisite course contains substantially equivalent content and learning outcomes to the course for which it is nominated as an anti-requisite, such that it is not in the student's best interests to complete both courses. An anti-requisite condition may also be applied where a course has changed its code but the content remains essentially equivalent to that contained within the original course.
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