1. Overview
From 1 January 2001, the University adopted a common standardised structure to apply to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework awards. A standardised program structure –
- provides a more transparent program structure that was readily intelligible to students and staff;
- aids with comprehension and marketability of the University's programs;
- promotes equitable financial liability for students;
- enhances the portability of transfer credit across the University's programs and of the University's awards across the Australian university sector;
- rationalises program and course offerings; and
- rationalises teaching loads and promote resource efficiency.
Standardisation is a fundamental aspect of the University’s program structure.
2. Description
This policy sets out program and course design principles for all programs, as well as enrolment requirements for postgraduate coursework programs.
3. Program Design Principles
3.1 The standard annual workload for all programs is 16 units.
3.2 A standard semester workload, other than for summer, is 8 units.
3.3 All undergraduate awards of the same duration comprise the same number of units, that is –
- 2-year associate degree program = 32 units
- 3-year award program = 48 units
- 4-year award program = 64 units
- 5-year award program = 80 units
- Honours degrees = 16 units
3.4 The following principles are applied to dual programs:
[1]
- The total program requirements for dual programs are fully standardised (i.e. evenly divisible by 8);
- It is desirable that the component parts of a dual program also be equally divisible by 8
- Combination of two 3-year programs: the overall length of the program is no less than 64 units and no more than 80 units;
- Combination of a 4-year and a 3-year degree program: the overall length of the program is no less than 80 units and no more than 96 units;
- Combination of two 4-year programs: the overall length of the program is no less than 96 units and no more than 112 units;
- Cross crediting arrangements for students holding single degrees should allow at least 1 year's credit towards the second degree (subject to relevant provisions in the General Award Rules).
3.5 The minimum units required and minimum duration of full time equivalent study for postgraduate coursework awards are –
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Award
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Minimum Units
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Minimum duration of FTE study
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Comments
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Graduate Certificate
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8 units
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One semester
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All graduate certificates are 8 units.
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Graduate Diploma
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16 units
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Two semesters
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All graduate diplomas are 16 units. Transfer credit may be granted toward a Graduate Diploma from other parts of a suite of postgraduate awards.
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|
Masters degree for those entering with a 3 year degree
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24 units
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Three semesters
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Transfer credit may be granted toward a coursework masters from other parts of a suite of postgraduate awards.
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Masters degree (for those entering with a 4 or subsequent year award that is a continuance from a bachelor degree in the same or equivalent discipline)
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16 units
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Two semesters
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|
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Professional (coursework) Doctorate
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48 units
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Six semesters (maximum 10)
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4. Course Design Principles[2]
4.1 All courses are assigned a unit value and are the same proportion of a full-time enrolment, regardless of the program in which they are offered.
4.2 Courses normally have a value of 2 units. The unit value of any course is determined by the faculty to which the school or academic discipline teaching the course belongs.
4.3 Courses of 1 unit, 3 units or of multiples of 2 units are permitted in some circumstances, but specific justification for their introduction must be provided to the Academic Board through the Committee for Academic Programs Policy (CAPP).
4.4 A unit represents the same student workload (contact plus study) in all faculties. The University does not equate the unit value with hours of contact or study per week. However, as a rough guide, enrolment in 8 units in a semester could be regarded as equivalent to ‘full time employment’ of approximately 40 hours per week.
4.5
Where postgraduate students might be required to attend some advanced undergraduate classes (e.g. lecturer) with undergraduate students, notice must be given to prospective students that there must be a clear and explicit written distinction in the expectations of each group of students evidenced in the course profile (see Student Charter).
4.6 Undergraduate level courses are not included in postgraduate program lists.
4.7 For masters by coursework at least one half of the program requirements must be from courses coded at level 7.
4.8 For professional doctorates at least two-thirds of the program requirements, including dissertation, must be from courses coded at level 8.
5. Enrolment Requirements
5.1
This section contains information on the minimum enrolment requirements for postgraduate coursework awards[3]. Entry requirements for each program are listed in the program rules and should reflect generic statements of tertiary or post-secondary qualifications, work experience and other requirements needed to enter the program.
5.2 The entry requirements field in the program database expands upon the generic requirements in the program rules (e.g. specific bachelor degrees required, years or type of work experience generally required, particular undergraduate study or courses).
5.3 Unless a strong case for exceptional circumstances can be made, students without tertiary qualifications normally enter a suite of postgraduate awards at the graduate certificate level.
5.4
Students who do not qualify for direct entry to another part of a suite of postgraduate programs may progress step-wise through the suite provided they meet the criteria set out in the General Award Rules or the individual program rules.
5.5 It may be appropriate to admit students to a postgraduate coursework program (except professional doctorates) without prior academic training in the discipline. The following principles apply -
- The program proposal submitted to CAPP outlines program quality assurance measures to demonstrate that the proposed program is of the appropriate rigour and standard expected of a postgraduate qualification from UQ.
- The enrolment requirements detail expected undergraduate study and work experience (if required). Students entering without prior tertiary study should be through the graduate certificate and graduate diploma.
- Prospective students may be required to undertake preparatory programs or courses prior to entry into a masters program (eg specific undergraduate courses that provide required prerequisite knowledge).
5.6 The minimum enrolment requirements for suites of postgraduate programs are set out below. Note that the specific type of study and work experience is determined by the Executive Dean and the details are to be included in the entry requirements field in the Programs Database.
(a) Graduate Certificate -
Post-secondary study (or equivalent) and/or work experience in a related discipline or a bachelor degree.
(b) Graduate Diploma
Post-secondary study (or equivalent) and/or work experience in a related discipline or bachelor or the graduate certificate in the suite of programs.
(c ) Masters by coursework -
Bachelor degree in the discipline or the graduate diploma in the suite of awards Where no specific bachelor degree is required, see section 5.5 above.
6. Transition Arrangements
6.1 This section contains information about the principles that guide the development of transition arrangements where one program is being superseded by another program.
6.2 In accordance with
GAR 1.9, a student who has started a program must be given a reasonable opportunity to finish it even if the program is no longer offered to others. This intent is echoed also in
Senate Rule – Miscellaneous Provisions 2.
6.3 A student’s ‘contract’ with the University relates to the program they have been admitted to. It is not an automatic entitlement that a student enrolled in a program that is being replaced by another program will have access to a transition arrangement.
6.4 Where a transition arrangement is made available, the arrangement can not guarantee all students eligible to access the provision will be able to complete the new program in the same duration as would have applied, had they remained in the original program.
6.5 A student is not compelled to access a transition arrangement but may do so if they believe it is in their best interests.
6.6 Care should be taken when transition arrangements are established to preserve, for the good of past and future graduates, the enduring value of the existing qualification that is being replaced.
6.7 Any transition arrangement established must ensure:
- Academic standards are not lowered; and
- The arrangement will not be unfair to another student.
6.8 Where transition arrangements involve moving from an undergraduate program to a postgraduate program, the conditions for establishing a transition arrangement set out in GAR 1.9A must be observed.
[1] Proposals to vary these principles must be considered by the Committee for Academic Program Policy.
[3] Enrolment requirements for undergraduate programs are contained in the Admission Rules and some program rules (e.g. MBBS). Entry requirements for research higher degrees are listed in the General Award Rules.