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C/3.2 Award classifications |
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3.2.1 Classification of awards 3.2.1 Classification of awardsQUT offers the award categories of bachelor degree, honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree and doctoral degree as described in the Higher Education Sector of the Australian Qualifications Framework. QUT has also approved the use of the award categories of associate degree, University certificate, University diploma, University advanced diploma, and University associate degree. University Academic Board has approved guidelines (see C/3.2.3 to C/3.2.8 below) which provide broad definitions of award classifications in terms of entry standards, duration, structure, academic characteristics, and depth and breadth of study. QUT also allows the development of joint degrees and double degrees with other universities, and dual awards with the VET sector. The development and approval process for the various categories of awards is set out in C/4 . 3.2.2 Award titlesApproval for use of a degree award title is given by University Academic Board through the course development process (see C/4.2 , C/4.3 and C/4.9 for details of this process). The University expects that generic award titles will normally be used for undergraduate degrees and many postgraduate degrees. However, specific award titles may be requested. In this case, the proposed title must be justified by addressing the following considerations
In award titles at the level of graduate diploma, graduate certificate, associate degree, University certificate, University diploma, University advanced diploma and University associate degree, the word 'in' is used to denote the discipline area. For bachelor degrees, masters degrees and doctoral degrees, the word 'of' is used. Faculties may add Study Area A to the generic award title, as a descriptor, subject to the approval of University Academic Board (see sections C/4.2 , C/4.3 and C/4.9 ). Where a descriptor qualifies a generic title, the descriptor will normally appear in parentheses (eg Master of Arts (Drama), Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)). Award titles, including descriptors (if any), must be included in course entries in the QUT Handbook and in Course Summary Sheets. QUT has standardised abbreviations for award titles. A complete list of award titles, including approved abbreviations and details of QUT's standard abbreviations, are held on the Office of Teaching Quality website. 3.2.3 Sub-bachelor awardsQUT offers four types of sub-bachelor awards:
These four awards are available to international students only. In addition to the University associate degrees listed above, QUT awards the Associate Degree in Dance, as an exit award only. (a) Academic characteristics Sub-bachelor courses provide students with an introduction to the foundations of a discipline or across several disciplines. Students are expected to develop an understanding of key concepts and theories relating to the foundational underpinnings of one or more disciplines, academic skills necessary to access, comprehend and evaluate information from a range of sources, generic employment-related skills, and a capacity for self-directed and lifelong learning. (b) Structure Sub-bachelor courses are subsets of existing bachelor degree awards and the units, academic characteristics, and learning outcomes are drawn directly from the parent bachelor degree. (c) Entry requirements Sub-bachelor courses normally require satisfactory completion of Year 12 in an Australian school system or equivalent as the level of entry, or an appropriate vocational education and training qualification. (d) Pathways Sub-bachelor courses articulate with the bachelor degree of which they form a part, with full credit accruing on articulation. 3.2.4 Bachelor degreesBachelor degrees include the following:
(a) Academic characteristics Bachelor degree courses provide students with a systematic and coherent introduction to a body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts, and the associated problem-solving techniques. Students are expected to develop 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. A bachelor degree course includes the provision of major studies in which a significant literature is available. Course content 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. (b) Structure A bachelor degree normally comprises the following:
QUT encourages the provision of research pathways within bachelor degrees, such as the Dean's Scholars Programs. (c) Entry requirements Bachelor degree courses normally require satisfactory completion of Year 12 in an Australian school system or equivalent as the level of entry. Faculties may specify assumed knowledge of specific discipline areas, and may also set other special entry requirements such as folios or auditions (see E/4.1.2 ). (d) Pathways A number of pathways are available for entry to bachelor degree courses including:
3.2.5 Honours degreesAn honours degree is a 96 credit point (one year equivalent) bachelor level degree following completion of a bachelor degree course of three years' duration. Students retain both the award for the bachelor degree and the award for the honours degree. The level of honours awarded is based on the student's final grade point average, as described in guidelines at E/6.5.9 . (a) Academic characteristics Honours degrees provide an additional year of undergraduate study following a three-year bachelor degree which:
(b) Structure Honours degrees contain a mix of advanced theory, professional training (where appropriate), research training, and a research project leading to a written thesis or alternative form of presentation if appropriate. At least 25 per cent of the credit points associated with the course must be allocated to a project or dissertation. The proportion of credits points allocated to a project or dissertation should have reference to current practice within the relevant discipline nationally. (c) Entry requirements Honours degrees normally require completion of a three-year bachelor degree with a grade point average of at least 5 as the level of entry, including grades of at least 5 in all units directly relevant to, or specified as prerequisite for, the proposed honours degree. Applicants who have demonstrated outstanding performance in only the final year of a bachelor degree, or whose application is based on other factors including work experience or involvement in research, may be admitted at the discretion of the executive dean of faculty. (d) Pathways Students who wish to undertake an honours degree should normally apply for admission at the end of the final year of their bachelor degree, or within 18 months of completing that degree. 3.2.6 Graduate certificates and graduate diplomasA graduate certificate is a 48 credit point (one full-time semester equivalent) coursework postgraduate degree. A graduate diploma is normally a 96 credit point (two full-time semesters equivalent) coursework postgraduate degree. In some cases where there are discipline specific requirements, a graduate diploma may comprise more than 96 credit points. (a) Academic characteristics Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas are coursework degrees that are generally designed for specific professional purposes to provide graduates and allied professionals with short, focussed programs and are taught at a level appropriate to a graduate intake. Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas may be developed in response to needs and demands to upgrade knowledge in areas of changing technology or expertise. Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas will either:
(b) Structure A graduate certificate will normally consist entirely of coursework. A graduate diploma may include a mix of coursework and project work. (c) Entry requirements Entry to graduate certificates or graduate diplomas normally requires completion of a three-year bachelor degree. In some circumstances, relevant prior work, particularly relevant professional practice, can be recognised for entry. (d) Pathways Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas may form part of a suite of nested courses together with a coursework masters degree. Where a suite of nested courses is approved, students completing the graduate certificate or graduate diploma will automatically be granted credit of 48 credit points or 96 credit points respectively when enrolling in a higher level course in the nested suite. However, completion of a lower level course in a nested suite does not necessarily guarantee entry into a higher level course. If the course does not form part of an approved nested suite of courses, QUT's standard academic credit policy will apply (see E/4.2 ). Lower level courses within a nested suite of courses may also be used as exit awards. QUT has established a Graduate Certificate in Research Studies which is available as an early exit point from a research masters or doctoral course in certain circumstances. 3.2.7 Masters degreesMasters degrees are classified as either coursework or research and may be
(a) Academic characteristics Masters degrees provide students with an advanced knowledge of a specialist field of study or area of professional practice involving theoretical and applied topics. Students are expected to think rigorously and independently, develop high level skills in analysis, critical evaluation, and professional application, and creatively and flexibly apply knowledge and skills to new situations and complex problems. Coursework masters degrees may allow the student to 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. Research masters degrees allow the student to acquire an in-depth understanding in a specialist field, through a research program involving critical evaluation, selection and application of research methodologies, analysis of literature, and evaluation and interpretation of results. Guidelines for the requirements for a research masters course, including supervision and examination of the research thesis are available from the Research Students Centre website. (b) Structure A coursework masters degree comprises coursework, project work and research in varying combinations. A project or dissertation in a coursework masters would normally be a maximum of 48 credit points. Credit points for a coursework masters will normally be 96 credit points if the pre-requisite is a four-year undergraduate degree, and144 credit points if the pre-requisite is a three-year undergraduate degree. Coursework masters of 192 credit points may be established where there is a discipline requirement for an 'advanced' level of study provided by an additional 48 credit points beyond the standard 144 credit point course. A professional coursework masters degree normally involves a work-based or professional practice project. A research masters degree comprises coursework and research in varying combinations, where at least two-thirds of the course involves research with a substantial, externally examined thesis outcome. A research masters degree may vary between 96 credit points and 192 credit points. (c) Entry requirements Entry to masters degrees is based on evidence of a capacity to undertake higher degree studies in the proposed field. For a coursework masters degree which develops an area not previously studied, entry would normally be based on:
For a coursework masters degree which provides study in a particular field previously studied, entry would normally be based on:
Entry to a professional coursework masters degree is specifically on the basis of either a relevant qualification and professional experience, or extensive high-level relevant professional experience. For a research masters degree, entry would normally be based on:
(d) Pathways Possible pathways for entry to a masters degree include:
Where an 'advanced' 192 credit point coursework masters degree is established, this would normally form a nested suite with a 'standard' 144 credit point coursework masters in the same discipline. Students with an honours degree entering a research masters degree may be granted credit for the coursework component of the course. A research masters degree is a possible early exit point for students enrolled in a doctoral degree. 3.2.8 Doctoral degreesA doctoral degree is a 288 credit point (six semesters full-time equivalent) course. QUT offers both research doctorates and professional doctorates. A research doctorate is primarily achieved through supervised research, whilst a professional doctorate involves varying combinations of research and coursework and may be classified as either a research or coursework doctoral degree. Professional doctorates may be developed in collaboration with relevant professional bodies or partner universities in the ATN group. (a) Academic characteristics Doctoral degree programs provide students with the ability to carry out an original research project addressing a matter of substance concerning practice in a profession at a high level of originality and quality. Students are expected to provide a substantial original contribution to knowledge in the form of new knowledge or significant and original adaptation, application, and interpretation of existing knowledge. QUT encourages a variety of approaches to the selection of topics and supervisors, and models of supervision. Topics could include multidisciplinary problems suggested by external bodies (for example, industry, government and commerce) with joint supervisors appointed from both academic and external environments. (b) Structure Course requirements for doctoral degrees are set out in the Doctor of Philosophy Regulations (MOPP Appendix 9 ) or other relevant regulations for individual degrees. Individual course requirements for supervision and thesis examination must be based on the Code of Good Practice for Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision at QUT ( D/5.4 ). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Professional Doctorates by Research For all research doctorates, the expected outcomes are gained through a comprehensive review of the literature, experimentation, creative work with exegesis or other systematic approach, or advanced searching and critical reflection on professional theory or practice. Research doctorates may include assessed coursework in support of the conduct of the research and preparation of the thesis where the coursework comprises a maximum of one third of the total period of registration. The course generally includes:
QUT permits the presentation of the thesis for a doctoral degree in the following formats:
Professional Doctorates by Coursework Coursework professional doctorates provide extended and advanced training in professional fields, and involve the candidate undertaking a project or integrated series of projects with a specific focus on professional practice, together with critical reflective practice to inform and benefit subsequent projects. A variety of forms of assessment for projects are encouraged. Coursework professional doctorates consist of assessed coursework and a program of supervised research and investigation or supervised project work. The coursework must constitute no less than one third of the total credit points for the degree and is of an advanced postgraduate level providing an appropriate depth of knowledge, understanding, analysis and skill for the field of intended research. The research or project work must constitute no less than one third of the total credit points for the degree and involves research or project work leading to either the submission of a thesis at the completion of the research/project component or submission of two theses, one during and one at the end of the research/project component. A candidate must normally complete the coursework component with a grade point average of 5 or better prior to commencing the research/project component of the course of study. Course requirements for professional doctorates are established by the relevant faculty for each course, and are approved by University Academic Board. The course requirements for each professional doctoral degree are set out in the QUT Handbook. (c) Entry requirements The minimum requirement for entry into a research doctorate is either:
The minimum requirement for entry into a professional doctorate is:
(d) Pathways All research masters degrees and the Graduate Certificate in Research Studies form a nested suite with the PhD course. 3.2.9 Higher doctoratesThe degrees of Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Science (DSc), Doctor of Engineering (DEng), Doctor of Business (DBus) and Doctor of Laws (LLD) may be awarded by the University. A higher doctorate may be awarded by University Academic Board on the recommendation of Research Degrees Committee for original and substantial contributions of distinction which add to the knowledge and understanding of any branch of learning with which the University is concerned. Procedures for awarding a higher doctorate are available from the Research Students Centre website. (a) Academic characteristics A higher doctorate degree requires the candidate to provide satisfactory evidence of outstanding scholarship and of an original, substantial and distinguished contribution to the knowledge, understanding, practice or creative achievement in any branch of learning with which the faculty is directly concerned. (b) Structure In order to be admitted as a candidate for the higher doctorate, the candidate must submit published works for examination. The published work should be seminal in that it has:
(c) Entry requirements Application to become a candidate for a higher doctorate is made in writing to the Registrar, detailing the applicant's grounds for admission, achievements and the work to be submitted for the higher doctorate. The relevant faculty appoints a committee to determine whether the work falls within the scope of the faculty and whether the quality and quantity of work to be presented justifies submitting the work for examination. If the candidate is accepted, an Examination Committee is appointed. Related DocumentsMOPP C/4.2 New course developments with limited academic implications MOPP C/4.3 Development and approval processes for double degree programs MOPP C/4.9 Changes to continuing courses MOPP Appendix 9 Doctor of Philosophy Regulations Modification History
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