Determining UQ Honours Equivalence


The School Recommendation form asks schools to assist the RHD Unit by indicating if the applicant's academic qualifications are equivalent to UQ Honours Class I. This is important because the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines specify that Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) can only be awarded to eligible applicants with the equivalent of Honours Class I.

A school recommendation that the applicant's academic qualifications are equivalent to UQ Honours Class I or IIA must be defended by the school on the basis of documentary evidence. The categories and headings below outline the various grounds and the types of evidence that are required for the Dean of the UQ Graduate School to accept a school defence.  Please note that Honours Class IIA GPA equivalances are in brackets.

In addition, if the academic qualification is not yet completed but will be completed within two months of the school recommendation, the following additional evidence is required.

  • consulted academic staff at applicant's university
  • assessment of relevant referees' reports

Completed research masters with a research component of more than 66 % of the work for the degree

  • academic transcript
  • thesis examiners' reports
  • reading of the thesis
  • knowledge of the degree/institution
  • publications/conference papers
  • relevant research and employment experience

Completed coursework masters or postgraduate diploma with research components greater than or equal to 25% of credit for degree

  • academic transcript
  • a GPA of at least 6 (5) in the research components and a GPA of at least 6 (5) for the degree
  • identify the research components and the grades obtained
  • research component is of equivalent content, level and standing to Honours Class I or (Honours Class IIA) 

Completed coursework masters or postgraduate diploma with research components less than 25% of credit for degree

  • academic transcript
  • a GPA of at least 6 (5) in the research components and a GPA of at least 6 (5) for the degree
  • link between coursework and proposed research
  • evidence of capacity for independent research
  • outstanding results with identifiable research potential
  • program has equivalent content, level and quality to Honours Class I or (Honours Class IIA) 

Completed medical/dental/veterinary science degree plus qualification from a Royal College (for example, MBBS plus FRACP)

  • publications/conference papers
  • relevant research and employment experience
  • link between coursework and proposed research
  • evidence of capacity for independent research
  • outstanding results with indentifiable research potential
  • program has equivalent content, level and quality to Honours Class I or (Honours Class IIA) 

Non-Australian qualifications

  • program is at least four years in length
  • link between qualification and proposed research
  • evidence of capacity for independent research
  • outstanding results with identifiable research potential
  • program has equivalent content, level and standard to UQ Honours Class I or (Honours Class IIA) 
  • knowledge of the degree/institution
  • publications/conference papers

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