C/3.2 Award classifications

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3.2.1 Policy principles
3.2.2 Sub-bachelor awards
3.2.3 Bachelor degrees
3.2.4 Honours degrees
3.2.5 Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas
3.2.6 Masters degrees
3.2.7 Doctoral degrees
3.2.8 Higher doctorates
3.2.9 Double degrees
3.2.10 Joint degrees
3.2.11 Dual awards
3.2.12 Exit awards
Related Documents
Modification History

3.2.1 Policy principles

QUT offers the award categories of associate degree, university certificate, university diploma, university advanced diploma, and university associate degree, bachelor degree, honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree and doctoral degree.

Policy relating to award courses offered by QUT is based on the following principles:

• QUT's requirements for award courses are based on the guidelines provided by the Australian Qualifications Framework Implementation Handbook
• QUT supports flexible choices for students through the development of joint degrees, double degrees, and dual awards
• Courses developed at QUT adhere to the broad definitions of award classifications in terms of entry standards, duration, structure, academic characteristics, and depth and breadth of study (see C/3.2.3 to C/3.3.8 below).

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3.2.2 Sub-bachelor awards

QUT may choose to offer sub-bachelor awards in the form of associate degrees which will normally be exit awards only.

(a) Academic characteristics

Sub-bachelor awards 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
• a capacity for self-directed and lifelong learning.

(b) Structure

Sub-bachelor courses are normally sub-sets of existing bachelor degree awards and the units, academic characteristics, and learning outcomes are drawn directly from the parent bachelor degree.

QUT also offers four specific sub-bachelor awards which are available to international students only and which do not articulate with a parent bachelor degree.

• University certificate – involves the completion of one semester of full-time equivalent course work (48 credit points)
• University diploma – involves the completion of two semesters of full-time equivalent coursework (96 credit points).
• University advanced diploma – involves the completion of three semesters of full-time equivalent coursework 144 credit points).
• University associate degree – involves the completion of four semesters of full-time equivalent coursework (192 credit points).

(c) Entry requirements

Sub-bachelor awards require satisfactory completion of Year 12 in an Australian school system or equivalent, or an appropriate vocational education and training qualification, as the level of entry.

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3.2.3 Bachelor degrees

Bachelor degrees include the following:

• 288 credit point degrees (six semesters full-time equivalent)
• 384 credit point professional degrees (eight semesters full-time equivalent) which may be awarded with honours (see C/3.2.12)
• 192 credit point graduate entry degrees (four semesters full-time equivalent)
• 96 credit point honours degrees (two semesters full-time equivalent), following a three year degree (see C/3.2.4)
• double degrees (see C/3.2.9).

(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 comprises the following:

• Introductory (foundation) units which introduce students to the body of knowledge, skills, and capabilities expected to be acquired during the course, as defined by the course learning outcomes.
• Advanced level units where discipline and professional knowledge and skills, and graduate capabilities are progressively developed to a high level appropriate to the academic characteristics of the award, and providing a basis for lifelong learning. Advanced level units normally include one Study Area A, and the option of at least one Study Area B.
• Opportunities for cross-disciplinary study through a Study Area B in a different discipline area to the Study Area A, optional units, or capstone units.

QUT encourages the provision of research pathways within bachelor degrees, such as the Dean's Scholars Programs.

(c) Entry requirements

Bachelor degree courses 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) Entry pathways

A number of pathways are available for entry to bachelor degree courses including:

• entry after satisfactory completion of Year 12 in an Australian school system or equivalent
• articulation from a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification such as a Diploma or Advanced Diploma which may involve articulation and advanced standing arrangements
• entry from another undergraduate degree
• direct entry via pathways programs.

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3.2.4 Honours degrees

An honours degree is a 96 credit point (two semesters full-time equivalent) bachelor level degree following completion of a 288 credit point bachelor degree course. On completion, students receive 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 (GPA) (see C/5.2.4).

(a) Academic characteristics

Honours degrees offer an additional 96 credit points of undergraduate study following a 288 credit point bachelor degree and provide:

• a link between undergraduate study and research programs by introducing students to research skills, and/or
• advanced skills for entry into a profession.

(b) Structure

Honours degrees contain a mix of advanced theory, professional training (where appropriate), research training, and a research project leading to a written dissertation 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 credit points allocated to a project or dissertation should have reference to current practice within the relevant discipline nationally.

(c) Entry requirements

Honours degrees require completion of a three-year bachelor degree with a GPA 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) Entry pathways

Students who wish to undertake an honours degree must apply for admission at the end of the final year of their bachelor degree, or within 18 months of completing that degree.

(e) Examination requirements

For honours degrees, project reports and dissertations are examined by an examining committee, appointed by the executive dean, and consisting of at least two examiners, one of whom may be external to the University. The supervisor of the candidate's work may be a member of the committee but may not chair the committee or act as the primary examiner. A minimum of three copies of a dissertation is presented to the supervisor for examination. Dissertations are temporarily bound in order to facilitate the making of any revisions and editorial changes required by examiners before final printing and binding.

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3.2.5 Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas

A graduate certificate is a 48 credit point (one semester full-time equivalent) coursework postgraduate course.

A graduate diploma is a 96 credit point (two semesters full-time equivalent) coursework postgraduate course. 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 courses 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:

• develop a new academic, professional or vocational area (postgraduate in time), or
• extend skills and knowledge in a professional area previously studied (postgraduate in level).

(b) Structure

A graduate certificate will normally consist entirely of coursework. A graduate diploma may include a mix of coursework and project work. A graduate certificate may be designed to include up to 48 credit points of undergraduate units (see C/3.1.8).

(c) Entry requirements

Entry to graduate certificates or graduate diplomas requires completion of a three-year bachelor degree. In some circumstances, relevant prior work experience, particularly relevant professional practice, may be recognised for entry.

(d) Entry pathways

Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas may form part of a suite of nested courses together with a coursework masters degree (see C/3.1.8).

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3.2.6 Masters degrees

Masters degrees are classified as either coursework or research and may be:

• 96 credit points or 1 EFTSL (two semesters full time equivalent)
• 144 credit points or 1.5 EFTSL (three semesters full-time equivalent)
• 192 credit points or 2 EFTSL (four semesters full-time equivalent).

(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 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.

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 degree, 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 degree would normally be a maximum of 48 credit points. Credit points for a coursework masters degree will normally be 96 credit points if the pre-requisite is a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent, and 144 credit points if the pre-requisite is a three-year undergraduate degree. Coursework masters degrees 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 higher degree in varying combinations, where at least two-thirds of the course involves research higher degree and completion of a substantial, externally examined thesis. A research masters degree may vary between 1 EFTSL (96 credit points equivalent) and 2 EFTSL (192 credit points equivalent).

(c) Entry requirements

Entry to a masters degree is based on evidence of a capacity to undertake higher degree studies in the proposed field.

For a coursework masters degree, entry is based on as a minimum:

• a bachelor degree or a graduate diploma.

For a professional coursework masters degree entry may be on the basis of either a relevant qualification and professional experience, or extensive high-level relevant professional experience.

For a research masters degree, entry is based on as a minimum:

• a bachelor degree with honours, or
• a GPA of 5 or better in an undergraduate degree, together with a graduate diploma, a coursework masters degree, or a minimum of one year relevant work experience.

(d) Entry pathways

Possible pathways for entry to a masters degree include:

• direct entry after completion of an honours degree
• entry after completion of a bachelor degree and a period of work experience
• articulation from a graduate certificate or graduate diploma
• entry based on extensive high-level relevant professional experience.

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 advanced standing for the coursework component of the course. A research masters degree is a possible early exit point for students enrolled in a doctoral degree.

(e) Examination requirements

QUT requires that at least two examiners, at least one of whom is external to the University, be appointed to examine a thesis presented for a research master degree. The academic board responsible for the course appoints examiners on advice from the head of school and/or principal supervisor. Notes for the guidance of examiners of research master degree theses can be found at the Research Students Centre website.

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3.2.7 Doctoral degrees

A doctoral degree is a 3 EFTSL time-based course (six semesters full-time equivalent).QUT offers both a PhD and professional doctorates. The PhD is primarily achieved through supervised research. A professional doctorate involves varying combinations of research and coursework and may be classified as either a research higher degree or coursework doctoral degree. Professional doctorates may be developed in collaboration with relevant professional bodies or other universities.

(a) Academic characteristics

Doctoral degree programs provide students with the opportunity to carry out research addressing a matter of substance at a high level of originality and quality. Students are expected to provide a substantial original contribution 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 relevant literature, experimentation, creative work with exegesis or other systematic approach, or advanced searching and critical reflection on professional theory or practice.

A research higher degree doctorate generally includes:

• a program of 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 program of study (a maximum of 96 credit points)
• participation in University scholarly activities such as research seminars, teaching and publication
• regular face-to-face interaction with supervisors, and
• a program of supervised research and investigation resulting in the presentation of a thesis.

QUT permits the presentation of the thesis for a doctoral degree in the following formats:

• a thesis presented in accordance with the requirements of the QUT Council with the main body of the text not exceeding 100,000 words
• published and/or submitted papers, where such papers have been published, accepted or submitted during the period of candidature
• artwork and exegesis, where the artwork may be in the form of exhibition, performance, literary work, film, CD Rom or other approved format. The artwork and exegesis are examined as an integrated whole.

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.

For a coursework professional doctorate, the course generally includes:

• a program of coursework which is of an advanced postgraduate level providing an appropriate depth of knowledge, understanding, analysis and skill for the field of intended research, where the coursework comprises a maximum of two thirds of the program of study (ie a maximum of 192 credit points)
• participation in University scholarly activities such as research seminars, teaching and publication
• regular interaction with supervisors, and
• a program of supervised research or project work which comprises no less than one third of the program of study (ie at least 96 credit points) 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 GPA 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:

• a minimum of Honours IIA or equivalent, or
• a grade point average of 5 or better in a masters degree course, including the research project component with demonstrated potential for further study and/or evidence of research activity and/or professional standing.

The minimum requirement for entry into a coursework professional doctorate is:

• a minimum of Honours IIA or equivalent, and
• two years practice in a position of professional responsibility appropriate to the proposed course of study. If the candidate does not have professional practice experience, he or she will be required to gain substantial professional experience during the course of the doctorate.

(d) Entry pathways

All research masters degrees form a nested suite with the Doctor of Philosophy course provided the student is continuing studies within the same discipline.

(e) Examination requirements

In the case of a PhD thesis, at least two external examiners are appointed. University Research and Innovation Committee appoints examiners on advice from the principal supervisor. Notes for the guidance of examiners of PhD theses are available from the Research Students Centre web page.

In the case of a doctoral degree in a specified professional field, a thesis is normally examined by an examination committee comprising two external examiners and one internal examiner. The internal examiner normally shall chair the committee.

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3.2.8 Higher doctorates

The 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:

• represented a significant advance in knowledge, or
• been a major part of, or has given rise to a significant debate in, scholarly books and journals, or
• given rise to significant changes in the direction of research or of practice of a newer generation of scholars.

(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.

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3.2.9 Double degrees

A double degree may be offered at bachelor or masters level, and is constructed as a single program of study that allows the student to complete two awards of the same level within a specified timeframe. On graduation, students receive individual awards for each of the component degrees. Double degrees may be developed as a combination of two QUT award courses or as a joint degree combining a QUT award course and an award course from another university (see C/3.2.11).

The course structure for a double degree must be constructed to meet the following criteria:

• Each of the single component awards have a separate course code to allow for early exit from the double degree. In certain circumstances, and if approved by University Academic Board, the single award may be available as an exit-only award.
• A student must be able to meet the completion requirements for each of the constituent single degrees. This is normally achieved through a course structure which requires students to complete the core and Study Area A components of each single degree.
• A double degree program must not comprise more than 144 credit points (three semesters full-time equivalent) additional to the number of credit points of the longer of the two single component degrees.
• Where the course completion requirements of the single degrees allow, double degrees must be constructed so that a combination of two 288 credit point award courses is completed in 384 credit points, and a combination of a 288 credit point and a 384 credit point course is completed in 480 credit points.
• Applicants for a double degree must meet the entry requirements of both component degrees.
• Awards with distinction, awards with honours and University medals are awarded as appropriate for each of the component degrees. Faculties make recommendations for these awards based on the same criteria as the awards for the component degrees (see C/3.2.12, E/10.1 and E/10.4 ).

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3.2.10 Joint awards

QUT encourages collaboration with other education providers through the development of joint awards where each provider can contribute a different discipline or perspective to an integrated course. Joint awards may be established as either a single course or double degree offered in collaboration between QUT and one or more other institutions.

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3.2.11 Dual awards

Dual awards may be established as a combined qualification with a single entry point leading to the award of two qualifications at different levels either involving two QUT courses or a QUT course together with a course offered by a registered Vocational and Technical Education (VET) provider. The following requirements apply to dual awards:

• students are admitted through a single entry point and are given a packaged offer for both courses
• a quota must be applied for entry for each dual award
• entry requirements must include the usual entry requirements for the QUT course (eg English language standards)
• entry to the higher level course may be concurrent with the lower level course, or may require students to complete the lower level course with a particular GPA before entry to the higher level course is granted
• where entry is initially to the VET component, students may be awarded a predetermined amount of advanced standing on entry to the QUT course
• students will graduate from the lower level course on completion of the course requirements.

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3.2.12 Exit awards

In some cases, an exit award at a lower level may be possible for students who complete part of a course but do not wish to progress to completion of the award. Some awards may be available as exit awards only with no direct entry. Possible exit awards include:

• An associate degree may be available as an early exit option from a three-year bachelor degree.
• A three-year bachelor award may be available as an early exit option from a four-year bachelor degree.
• A nested suite of postgraduate awards may be established such that students can choose to exit from an incomplete higher level course in the suite, and be awarded a lower level award on the basis of satisfactory completion of the requirements for the lower level award.
• Students admitted to a research doctorate or a professional doctorate but who either do not qualify to progress to the award, or do not wish to proceed, may on application be transferred to a masters degree award or the Graduate Certificate in Research Studies.

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Related Documents

MOPP C/3.1 Courses and awards

MOPP C/4.1 Curriculum development and approval

MOPP C/5.2 QUT Grading system

MOPP E/6.5 Allocation and release of results

MOPP E/10.1 Graduation requirements

MOPP Appendix 9 Doctor of Philosophy Regulations

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Modification History

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