University Rules: Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules PART I - PRELIMINARY 5 1. PRELIMINARY 5 2. INTERPRETATION 5 PART II - ESTABLISHMENT OF CERTAIN COMMITTEES AND BOARDS 8 3. FACULTY BOARDS 8 4. BOARDS OF EXAMINERS 8 5. STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE 8 PART III - ADMISSION 9 6. APPLICATION 9 7. DETERMINATION OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS 10 8. BASIS OF ADMISSION 10 9. FORMAL REQUIREMENTS OF ADMISSION 10 PART IV – ENROLMENT/RE-ENROLMENT 10 10. DATES AND PROCEDURE 10 11. ENROLMENT PROCESS 11 12. OFFICERS OF STUDENT GUILD 11 13. COURSE STATUS 11 14. REFUSAL OR CANCELLATION OF ENROLMENT 11 15. RE-INSTATEMENT OF ENROLMENT 12 16. WITHDRAWAL FROM UNITS 12 17. EFFECT OF FAILURE TO ENROL 13 PART V - ACADEMIC PROGRESS 13 18. TIME REQUIREMENTS 13 19. DISCONTINUANCE (WITHDRAWAL) FROM A COURSE 13 20. COURSE INTERMISSION 13 21. ADVANCED STANDING 14 22. ASSESSMENT 14 23. UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE 17 24. DEFERRAL OF EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS 17 25. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS – BOARD OF EXAMINERS’ DISCRETION 17 26. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS – HIGHER EDUCATION COURSE WORK DEGREES 18 27. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS – HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH MASTER AND DOCTORAL DEGREES 19 28. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS - VET STUDENTS 19 29. REPEATING FAILED UNITS 20 PART VI - COURSES REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF THESES 20 DIVISION 1 - GENERAL 20 30. INTERPRETATION 20 31. APPLICATION 20 DIVISION 2 - ADMISSION TO CANDIDATURE AND APPOINTMENT OF SUPERVISORS 20 32. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 20 33. ADMISSION 21 34. CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE 21 35. APPOINTMENT OF SUPERVISORS 22 DIVISION 3 – THESIS STUDIES 22 36. DURATION OF PROGRAMS 22 37. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISORS AND OF CANDIDATES 23 38. METHOD OF SUPERVISION 23 39. COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUPERVISION AND REQUESTS FOR A CHANGE OF SUPERVISOR 23 40. ATTENDANCE AT UNIVERSITY 23 41. EXCLUSION 24 DIVISION 4 – ASSESSMENT OF THESES 24 42. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SUBMIT A THESIS 24 43. SUBMISSION OF THESIS 24 44. APPOINTMENT OF EXAMINERS 24 45. REQUIREMENTS OF A THESIS 24 46. REPORTS BY EXAMINERS 25 47. ORAL DEFENCES BY DOCTORAL CANDIDATES 25 48. RE-EXAMINATION 26 49. CERTAIN WORKS NOT TO BE SUBMITTED 26 DIVISION 5 – ADMISSION TO THE DEGREE 26 50. RECOMMENDATION FOR ADMISSION 26 51. APPEALS TO THE STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE 26 DIVISION 6 – THESIS REQUIREMENTS 27 52. FORMAL REQUIREMENTS OF THESES 27 53. SUBMISSION OF THESES TO THE COMMITTEE 28 54. RETENTION OF THESES 28 DIVISION 7 - MISCELLANEOUS 29 55. TIME LIMITS 29 PART VII - REVIEWS AND APPEALS 29 56. APPEALS - RESULTS 29 57. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS REVIEW 30 58. APPEALS TO THE STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE 31 59. ENROLMENT PENDING APPEAL 32 PART VIII - MISCELLANEOUS 32 60. SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS 32 PART IX – AWARD REQUIREMENTS 32 DIVISION 1 – GENERAL 32 61. REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLETE AN AWARD 32 62. ACADEMIC YEAR 33 DIVISION 2 - VET AWARDS 33 63. INTERPRETATION 33 64. REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLETE A VET AWARD 33 DIVISION 3 – UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS 33 65. INTERPRETATION 33 66. CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE AWARD - UNDERGRADUATE 33 67. MAJOR 33 68. SUPPORTING MAJOR 34 69. MINOR 34 70. DOUBLE DEGREES 34 71. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ON TESTAMUR AND STATEMENT OF ACADEMIC RECORD 34 DIVISION 4 - POSTGRADUATE AWARDS 34 72. CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE AWARD – POSTGRADUATE 34 DIVISION 5 – VARIATIONS TO REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDS 35 73. GENERAL CREDIT 35 74. EXEMPTIONS FROM RULES 35 APPENDIX 1 36 ADMISSION, ENROLMENT AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS RULES Approved by Council on 7 December 2006 under Amending Rule No 5 of 2006. Effective from 16 March 2007, the day Amending Statute No 5 of 2006 (Statute No. 30 – Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress) was published in the Government Gazette. Amendments: Rule Amendment No 1 of 2008 (13 March 2008) Rule Amendment No 2 of 2008 (26 June 2008) Rule Amendment No 3 of 2008 (26 June 2008) Rule Amendment No 4 of 2008 (26 June 2008) PART I - PRELIMINARY 1. PRELIMINARY These rules are made under Statute No 30 Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress. 2. INTERPRETATION In these rules, unless the contrary intention appears - “Academic Board” means the Board established by section 18 of the ECU Act, “academic penalty date” means the final day a student can withdraw from a unit without an academic penalty (e.g. Withdrawn Fail) being officially recorded for that unit; “academic progression status” means the status applied to a student’s academic progress by the Board of Examiners at the end of a teaching period; “academic staff” means those members of the staff of the University who have been appointed to the full-time academic staff and shall include the Vice-Chancellor; "advanced standing" means the granting of credit towards the completion of a course based on studies or experience gained elsewhere (previously termed “exemption”); “Appeal Guidelines” are guidelines on the conduct of appeals lodged under rules 56, 57 and 58 as approved by the Academic Board from time to time; “assessment” means an assessment made in accordance with these rules to evaluate a student's progress or achievement in a unit; “Associate Dean” means an associate dean of a Faculty, or the successor to that position or a person acting in that position or his or her nominee; “Australian Qualifications Framework” means the unified system of national qualifications used in schools, the VET sector and the higher education sector; “Board of Examiners” means a board established in accordance with rule 4; “business day” means a day on which the University is open to the public for normal business operations; “cancel” means the withdrawal of a student by the University from a unit or units in which the student is enrolled; “co-requisite unit” means a unit that must be completed in conjunction with another unit; "Council" means the Council of the University as established by section 8 of the ECU Act; "course" means a program of study necessary to qualify for a University higher education award, or a VET or other award of the University; “course status” is the status applied to reflect a student's administrative standing within a course; "course structure" means the unit requirements for completion of a course; “credit” means the number of credit points or units of competency gained or granted towards completion of a course; “credit point” is a measure that is used to identify the academic credit achieved through the successful completion of a unit; “Dean” means the Executive Dean of a Faculty or the Dean of the Faculty of Regional Professional Studies or a person acting in such a position; "Designated Unit" means a unit or unit of competency which a Faculty Board has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once; "Director, Graduate School" means the Director of the Graduate School or the successor to that position or a person acting in that position or his or her nominee; "Director, SSC" means the Director, Student Services Centre, or the successor to that position or a person acting in that position or his or her nominee; "Director, WAAPA" means the Director, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, or the successor to that position or a person acting in that position or his or her nominee; “discontinue” means a course status applied to a student who has withdrawn from a course; "double major" means the units required to complete two majors, taking into account any advanced standing granted under these rules; "ECU Act" means the Edith Cowan University Act 1984; "elective unit” means a unit of study that, subject to the requirements of the course, a student may choose to undertake for credit; “enrolment” includes re-enrolment; “enrolment period” means the period specified by the Director, SSC, within which students must enrol in units to continue their course of study; "exit award" means a course, the units of which comprise a portion of another course; "exclusion" is an academic progression status which precludes a student from admission or enrolment in a course or courses as specified by the Board of Examiners; "expulsion" is an academic progression status which precludes a student from admission or enrolment at the University; “Faculty” means an academic organisational unit within the University; “Faculty Board” means a board established in accordance with rule 3; “financial penalty date” means the final day a student can withdraw from a unit without incurring a financial liability for that unit; "full-time student" means a student who is enrolled in units of at least 75% of a full time load for higher education courses or 420 or more nominal hours per year for VET courses; "good standing" is an academic progression status applied to students who are making satisfactory academic progress; “Head of School” means a person appointed to or acting in a position of Head of School, and includes the Director, WAAPA and the Dean, Faculty of Regional Professional Studies; “higher education” describes a sector of tertiary education which provides higher education awards as specified by the Australian Qualifications Framework; “intermit” is the course status applied to a student who has applied for and received approval to defer a course of study for a specified period; “international student” means a student defined as such by the relevant Acts of the Commonwealth of Australia; “lapsed” is the course status applied to a student who has failed to enrol in any units of study in the teaching periods required for the particular course structure within the published timeframes without receiving approval to intermit (defer) or having given notice to discontinue (withdraw from) a course; "major" means a set of related units with a total value of not less than 120 credit points; "minor" means a set of related units with a total credit point value of not less than 60 and not more than 119 credit points; "non-award student" means a student admitted to the university to undertake studies not leading to a University award or an award provided by the University in accordance with rule 8; "non-award studies" means the study of units which do not constitute part of a course nor count towards completion of the requirements of a higher education, VET or other University award in which the student is enrolled; "part-time student" means a student who is enrolled in units of less than 75% of a full time load for higher education courses or less than 420 nominal hours per year for VET courses; "postgraduate student" means a student enrolled in a postgraduate award described as such in the University Qualifications Framework approved by Academic Board; "prerequisite" means an eligibility requirement which must be satisfied prior to enrolling in a specific course or unit; “prescribed” means prescribed by the Act, a Statute, these rules, or a resolution of the Council, as the case may be; "probation" is the academic progression status applied to students deemed to have made marginal academic progress but permitted to continue their studies; "progress contract" is a written agreement entered into by a research candidate and his or her principal supervisor identifying agreed milestones and achievement dates; "quota" means the maximum number of students who may enrol in a course, a unit, a campus or the University as a whole or who may be enrolled within a particular category of students; "required unit" means a unit which a student must complete in order to fulfil the requirements of a course; “School” means an academic organisational unit within a Faculty; “senior member of academic staff” includes the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, the Pro Vice-Chancellors, Executive Deans, Deans, Heads of School, Associate Deans, Professors, Program Directors and Course Coordinators; “Specialisation” is a unit set that forms part of a postgraduate award; “statement of academic record” means an official transcript that contains the essential academic data pertaining to a particular student; "Student Appeals Committee" means a committee established in accordance with rule 5; “student visa” is a visa issued by the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs for the purpose of study in Australia; "supporting major" has the meaning given to this term by Division 3 of Part IX; "suspension" is an academic progression status which precludes a student from enrolling in units towards a course for a period specified by the Board of Examiners; "teaching period" means the period of time within which a unit is undertaken and formally assessed and for which assessment results are confirmed by Board of Examiners; "testamur" means a formal parchment issued for a designated award of the University under the provisions of Statute 26; "unit" means a unit of study or unit of competency; “unit of competency” means the specification of knowledge and skill and the application of that knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace (also known as “unit of competence”); “unit set” means a group of units which a student must complete in order to fulfil part of the requirements of a course; “VET” refers to the vocational education and training sector of tertiary education as specified by the Australian Qualifications Framework; “Vice-Chancellor” means the person for the time being appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the University or a person acting in that position; "Weighted Average Mark" is a measure of a higher education student's performance in a teaching period or a course calculated in accordance with Appendix 1; and other words and expressions used in these rules shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have the respective meanings defined in the Act or in a University Statute. PART II - ESTABLISHMENT OF CERTAIN COMMITTEES AND BOARDS 3. FACULTY BOARDS (1) For each Faculty there shall be a Faculty Board which shall be responsible for the implementation of policy relating to the academic requirements of the Faculty. (2) The composition and functions of Faculty Boards shall be determined by the Council from time to time. 4. BOARDS OF EXAMINERS (1) For each Faculty there shall be a Board of Examiners which shall be a standing committee of the Faculty Board and which shall be responsible for determining the academic progress of students within the Faculty. (2) A Board of Examiners shall consist of a minimum of 3 persons, being - (a) the Dean or nominee, who shall be chairperson; (b) the relevant Head of School or, where this is not applicable, the academic coordinator representing the area of study or a nominee who must be a senior member of the academic staff; (c) at least one other Head of School or, where this is not applicable, an academic coordinator representing another area of study from the Faculty or a nominee who must be a senior member of the academic staff; and (d) such other persons as the Board of Examiners may co-opt who must be members of the Academic Staff. (3) The Director, SSC, shall be the executive officer of each Board of Examiners. 5. STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE (1) There shall be a committee of Academic Board which shall be known as the Student Appeals Committee. (2)(a) The following persons are eligible to sit as members of the Student Appeals Committee under sub-rule (3)(b): (i) An Associate Professor or Professor nominated by the Academic Board who shall be the chairperson; (ii) One member of the academic staff from each Faculty nominated by the Academic Board, of whom one, who must be from a Faculty different from that of the chairperson, shall also be nominated as the deputy chairperson; (iii) The Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) of each Faculty; (iv) One enrolled student of the University nominated by the Student Guild; (v) One enrolled student of the University nominated by the Postgraduate and Honours Student Association. (b) A member nominated pursuant to sub-rules (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii) is eligible for a period of no more than 3 years from the date of nomination and may be re-nominated. (c) A member nominated pursuant to sub-rules (2)(a)(iv) or (2)(a)(v) is eligible for a period of no more than one year from the date of nomination and may be re-nominated. (3)(a) For any given matter, the chairperson or the deputy chairperson shall convene a committee to hear each matter in accordance with this Rule 5. (b) Subject to sub rules (3)(c) and (3)(d), for any given matter, the Student Appeals Committee shall consist of : (i) The chairperson nominated pursuant to sub-rule (2)(a)(i) or the deputy chairperson nominated pursuant to sub-rule (2)(a)(ii); (ii) Two members of the academic staff from among those eligible to be members pursuant to sub-rules (2)(a)(ii) and (2)(a)(iii) collectively; and (iii) One enrolled student nominated pursuant to either sub-rules (2)(a)(iv) or (2)(a)(v) according to the level of study of the appellant. (c) For any given matter, the chairperson or deputy chairperson and the members who are eligible under sub-rules (2)(a)(ii) and (2)(a)(iii) must all be from different Faculties. (d) For any given matter, a member of the Student Appeals Committee shall not: (i) be directly associated with the decision that is the subject of the appeal; or (ii) be a staff member of the School with which the appeal is concerned; or (iii) have a conflict of interest. (4) The Student Guild and the Postgraduate and Honours Student Association may each appoint a deputy member to act in the place of a member nominated pursuant to sub-rules (2)(a)(iv) or (2)(a)(v) respectively if the member is unavailable or precluded for reasons set out in sub-rules 3(d). (5) A deputy member has all the functions and entitlements of a member. (6) No act or omission of a deputy member acting in place of another member under this rule nor a decision of the Student Appeals Committee may be questioned on the ground that the occasion for the deputy member so acting had not arisen or had ceased. (7)(a) The quorum for a hearing of the Student Appeals Committee is three members referred to in sub-rule (3)(a), one of whom is the chairperson or deputy chairperson. (b) A minimum of 3 business days’ notice must be given of a Student Appeals Committee hearing. (8) The Director, SSC, shall appoint a person to act as executive secretary to the Student Appeals Committee but that person shall not be entitled to vote on any matter before the Committee. [Rule 5 amended by Rule Amendment 2 of 2008] PART III - ADMISSION 6. APPLICATION This Part applies to the admission of students to courses at the University. 7. DETERMINATION OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS (1) For the purposes of this Part, the Council may from time to time determine academic standards and conditions of entry in relation to admission of applicants to the University and the recognition of courses and units completed, and examinations or other forms of assessment passed. (2) The provisions of this Part are subject to determinations made by the Council under this rule. 8. BASIS OF ADMISSION (1) The Academic Board may admit a student to a course or a course of study: (a) if the student meets all applicable prerequisites and criteria; and (b) on applicable conditions. (2) “Applicable prerequisites and criteria” means those prerequisites and criteria determined by the Academic Board to be applicable to: (a) admission generally; (b) admission to a particular course or course of study; or (c) the admission of a particular class of student. (3) “Applicable conditions” means any conditions: (a) specified by the relevant Commonwealth authorities; or (b) set by the Academic Board for: (i) admission generally; (ii) admission to a particular course; or (iii) admission of particular classes of students, including students admitted to the university to undetake studies not leading to a University award. 9. FORMAL REQUIREMENTS OF ADMISSION (1) An applicant for admission to a course must apply to the Director, SSC by the date and in the manner specified by the Director, SSC. (2) An applicant for admission must produce such written and other evidence of his or her qualifications or identity as the Director, SSC may require. (3) Where an applicant for admission is required under sub-rule (2) to produce written evidence of qualifications or identity, admission of the applicant is conditional upon that requirement being satisfied. (4) Subject to the directions of the Academic Board, the Director, SSC may prescribe from time to time the closing date or dates for admission and the forms and other procedures for admission. (5) Subject to the provisions of this Part, admissions may be approved by the Director, SSC. (6) A person becomes a student of Edith Cowan University on the date of admission that is recorded on the University’s student management system, subsequent to the acceptance of an authorised offer of admission by that person. PART IV – ENROLMENT/RE-ENROLMENT 10. DATES AND PROCEDURE Subject to the directions of the Academic Board, the Director, SSC may specify the procedures, forms and opening and closing dates for each enrolment period. 11. ENROLMENT PROCESS (1) Subject to sub-rules 14(1) and 14(2), a student is deemed to be enrolled in a unit if the Director, SSC is satisfied: (a) the student has applied to enrol in the time and manner specified by the Director, SSC; (b) the unit constitutes part of the requirements of the course currently being undertaken by the student, unless the student has written approval to enrol in non-award studies from the Director, SSC; (c) any specified pre-requisite or co-requisite requirements have been met, unless the student has written approval to waive the requirements from the Dean of the relevant Faculty or nominee; (e) all prescribed costs and charges have been paid by the due date(s); (f) the student’s course or academic progression status does not preclude that student from enrolling in that unit; (g) if the student is an international student who holds a student visa, the student is enrolled in line with the ECU Enrolment Loads for International Students Policy; (h) if the unit is designated as a postgraduate unit, the student is enrolled in a postgraduate course; and (i) if the unit is designated as an undergraduate unit, and if the student is enrolled in a postgraduate course (i) the unit forms part of the course; or (ii) written permission has been given by the relevant course coordinator. [Rule 11 amended by Rule Amendment 4 of 2008] 12. OFFICERS OF STUDENT GUILD Notwithstanding the provisions of any other rule, the Council may permit a person holding the office of President or Vice-President of the Student Guild to be enrolled as a student on such terms and conditions as the Council may determine. 13. COURSE STATUS Subject to any appeal rights, a student shall cease to be an enrolled student of the University: (a) on the date of course completion as determined by the Board of Examiners; (b) on the date the student, with the requisite approval, discontinues (withdraws) from a course; (c) on the date the student is suspended or excluded from a course or expelled from the University; (d) on the date all of the student’s unit enrolments are cancelled by the Director, SSC; (e) on the date the student allows an enrolment in a course to lapse without obtaining approval under rule 20 to intermit (defer) or without providing notice under sub-rule 19(1) to discontinue (withdraw) a course; or (f) on the date that the student’s intermission period ends and the student allows an enrolment in a course to lapse. 14. REFUSAL OR CANCELLATION OF ENROLMENT (1) The Dean, Associate Dean or Director SSC may refuse an application for admission or enrolment or cancel an existing enrolment where: (a) the applicant has failed to fulfil the formal requirements for admission or enrolment, or the enrolment does not comply with the conditions set out in sub-rule 11(1) or has otherwise not complied with a provision of the ECU Act, a Statute, rule or by-law of the University; (b) an applicable quota would be exceeded; (c) the course or unit in which the applicant seeks to enrol will not be offered in the teaching period applied for; (d) the cancellation is required to correct a patent error; (e) the applicant has failed to return on request any University property on loan, or any charges or other money payable by the applicant under the ECU Act, a Statute, rule or by-law of the University in any previous or current teaching periods have not been paid by the due date; or (f) the enrolment is in breach of state or federal legislation. (2) The Director, SSC, may also refuse an application for admission or enrolment or cancel an existing enrolment where he or she is satisfied that: (a) by reason of the conviction of the applicant of a criminal offence, or (b) the conduct or incapacity of the applicant, or (c) for other good reason, the admission or enrolment of the applicant is likely to be prejudicial to the interests of, or bring disrepute upon, the University. (3) A student whose application for admission or enrolment has been refused or current enrolment cancelled under this rule shall be notified in writing by the Director, SSC, with reasons for the refusal or cancellation. (4) A person whose application for admission or enrolment has been refused or whose enrolment has been cancelled under sub-rule (2) may appeal against the refusal or cancellation to the Student Appeals Committee under rule 58. (5) Except with the written approval of the Dean of the relevant Faculty, a student shall not be enrolled in more than one higher education course at the same time. 15. RE-INSTATEMENT OF ENROLMENT (1) Where a student’s enrolment has been cancelled for non-payment of a charge or any other money, the student's enrolment may be reinstated, effective for the current teaching period or the subsequent teaching period at the discretion of the Director, SSC: (a) upon payment of all outstanding charges and other money; or (b) pursuant to the payment of outstanding charges and/or other money by specified periodical payments or over an agreed period. (2) If a student's enrolment is reinstated under sub-rule (1)(b) and the student defaults in payment in accordance with the relevant agreement, the student’s enrolment may be cancelled. (3) Where a student’s enrolment has been cancelled under sub-rule 14(1)(e), the student's enrolment may be reinstated by the Director, SSC, effective for the current teaching period or subsequent teaching period, on return in good order of the University's property on loan to the student. 16. WITHDRAWAL FROM UNITS (1) A student who wishes to withdraw from a unit must notify the University in the manner specified by the Director, SSC. (2) The effect of withdrawal from a unit on a student's financial liability is as prescribed in the University’s Fees Rules. (3) The effect of withdrawal from a unit on a student's academic progression status is: (a) if the notification is received on or before the academic penalty date then academic progression will not be affected; (b) subject to sub-rule (5), if the notification is received after the academic penalty date then the unit will be deemed not to have been completed and that outcome will be taken into account in the assessment of academic progress. (4) The effect of a unit withdrawal on a student's official Statement of Academic Record is: (a) withdrawal from a unit on or prior to the financial penalty date will not be recorded as a withdrawal and the original unit enrolment bearing the administrative code of “WE” will not appear on the Statement; (b) withdrawal from a unit after the financial penalty date but on or before the specified academic penalty date shall be recorded as “W” (c) withdrawal from a unit after the academic penalty date shall be recorded as “WF”, except in the case of a VET, honours, research master or doctoral thesis unit, in which case “W” shall be recorded. (5) If a student enrolled in a unit is, for good reason, unable to complete its requirements , the Director, SSC may approve withdrawal without financial and/or academic penalty and record a grade of “W “or “WL” for the unit. 17. EFFECT OF FAILURE TO ENROL Notwithstanding any other rule, a student shall not be credited for work done towards the completion of a course during any period for which the student was not enrolled. PART V - ACADEMIC PROGRESS 18. TIME REQUIREMENTS (1) The Dean of the relevant Faculty may approve an application by a student to take longer than the prescribed time to complete a course. (2) A student’s enrolment in a course may not exceed, from the time of original enrolment, three years or three times the standard full-time duration of the course, whichever is the greater, without the written approval of the Dean. (3) Where a student has not completed a course within the prescribed time, the Board of Examiners may decline to recognise as credit towards that course any units completed after the expiration of that time. 19. DISCONTINUANCE (WITHDRAWAL) FROM A COURSE (1) A student who wishes to discontinue (withdraw from) his or her course must notify the Director, SSC, in writing. (2) Discontinuing (withdrawing from) a course will not affect the student's academic progression status provided the application is made before the academic penalty date. (3) A student who has discontinued (withdrawn from) his or her course and who subsequently wishes to resume the course, must apply in writing to the Director, SSC and meet current entry requirements. (4) A student who resumes a course in accordance with sub-rule (3) may be required to complete the course under a modified course structure where the course has been updated. 20. COURSE INTERMISSION (1) Upon written application, the Dean of the relevant Faculty or nominee may allow a student who has successfully completed at least one unit of study to intermit (defer) the course, subject to the terms and conditions specified in any relevant Commonwealth legislation, if there is good reason to do so. (2) Except in special circumstances, the Dean or his or her nominee shall not grant intermission (deferral) for more than twelve months. 21. ADVANCED STANDING (1) The Dean or the Dean’s nominee may grant a student advanced standing in any course. Advanced standing may result from previous studies (credit) and/or recognised prior learning (RPL). (2) A student seeking advanced standing in relation to a unit must satisfy the Dean or the Dean’s nominee that the student has achieved a level of achievement equivalent to that required for the completion of that unit at the University. (3) Except for related ECU subsidiary courses, a student shall not receive credit for any units or body of study for which credit has already been received. (4)(a) A student who commences a course for the award of a Higher Education Qualification and is granted advanced standing credit as specified in the University’s Advanced Standing Policy for that award shall be required to: (i) successfully complete at the University at least the equivalent number of credit points equal to the difference between the advanced standing credit granted and the number of credit points required for that award; and (ii) meet any other requirement as specified in the University’s Advanced Standing Policy for that award. (b) A student who commences a course for the award of a VET qualification and is granted advanced standing shall be required to successfully complete such further studies as are determined by the Dean or the Dean’s nominee in conformity with the appropriate VET policies and guidelines, published by the relevant Commonwealth and State authorities from time to time. (5) A student who has been awarded any other qualification by this or any other university, that is not described in the University’s Advanced Standing Policy, and who wishes to complete a further qualification, must complete units at the University as determined by the Dean or the Dean’s nominee. [Rule 21 amended by Rule Amendment 3 of 2008] 22. ASSESSMENT (1) A student shall be assessed in such manner, shall attend at such times, and shall comply with such other requirements as shall be specified in the approved unit outline in accordance with the general policy of the University. (2) A student’s achievement in each unit shall, in accordance with this rule, be assigned a grade of assessment under one of the following Grading Schemes: Grading Scheme 1 (Used for standard course work units) Range Grade Description Lower Mark Upper Mark HD High Distinction 80 100 D Distinction 70 79 CR Credit 60 69 C Pass 50 59 C* Pass (Conceded) 45 100 N Fail 0 49 H Result not available DE Deferred assessment approved EX Exempt FX Exchange studies failed PS Pass (Supplementary) 50 100 FS Fail (Supplementary) 0 49 S Supplementary assessment offered but not yet taken T Tuition only (for tuition-only students where no formal assessment conducted) W Withdrawn (after the financial penalty/census date) WE Withdrawn early WF Withdrawn Fail WL Withdrawn late (without penalty) I Fail (Incomplete) 50 100 XS Exchange studies completed AR Result not available # Grading Scheme 2 (Used for performance and/or practical based units) Grade Description PH High Distinction PD Distinction PC Credit PP Pass F Undifferentiated Fail H Result not available EX Exempt FX Exchange studies failed W Withdrawn (after the financial penalty/census date) WE Withdrawn early WF Withdrawn Fail WL Withdrawn late (without penalty) XS Exchange studies completed AR Result not available # Grading Scheme 3 (Used for some research and project units) Grade Description P Undifferentiated Pass F Undifferentiated Fail H Result not available DE Deferred assessment approved EX Exempt SP Satisfactory Progress (for thesis and project units only) MP Marginal Progress (for thesis and project units only) TS Thesis/Project Submitted W Withdrawn (after the financial penalty/census date) WE Withdrawn early WF Withdrawn Fail WL Withdrawn late (without penalty) T Tuition only (for tuition-only students where no formal assessment conducted) AR Result not available # Grading Scheme 4 (Used for Undifferentiated Pass/Fail units) Grade Description P Undifferentiated Pass F Undifferentiated Fail H Result not available EX Exempt FX Exchange studies failed W Withdrawn (after the financial penalty/census date) WE Withdrawn early WF Withdrawn Fail WL Withdrawn late (without penalty) XS Exchange studies completed AR Result not available # Grading Scheme 5 (Used for VET Units of Competency) Grade Description CO Competent (not graded) CS Competent after second attempt (i.e. via supplementary assessment) H Hold/Result not available PX Incomplete NC Not yet competent EX Exempt DE Deferred assessment approved W Withdrawn (after the financial penalty/census date) WE Withdrawn early WF Withdrawn Fail WL Withdrawn late (without penalty) AR Result not available # NS Not Started Grading Scheme Notes: a) # - Result not available due to student being a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on transfer b) Grades in bold type are considered “successful completion” of the unit. (3) A student shall not repeat a unit that he or she has successfully completed except in the case of research units that are graded on the basis of satisfactory progress. (4) A student shall be permitted to sight his or her examination script upon making a request to the relevant Unit Co-ordinator or nominee if the student asks to do so within 15 business days of the date of publication of the results of the relevant unit. (5) A student who fails to complete the requirements of a unit shall be deemed not to have completed that unit and shall receive: (a) a grade of I, where the cumulative assessment is 50 or more; (b) a grade of N, where the cumulative assessment is less than 50; or (c) a grade of NC (Not yet competent) for VET units. (6) Subject to sub-rules 26(3), (4) and (5) and 29(1), if a student has been awarded a grade of I or PX in respect of a unit other than a Designated Unit, the student must repeat the unit if the unit is a course requirement. 23. UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE (1) Where, in the opinion of the Head of School or his or her nominee, a student's performance in a unit has been unsatisfactory, the Head of School or his or her nominee may disallow the student from continuing that unit, and shall thereupon notify the Dean of the Faculty of such disallowance. (2) Where action is taken against a student under sub-rule (1), the student shall receive a grade based on the assessment to the time of discontinuance in accordance with rule 22. 24. DEFERRAL OF EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS (1) A student who wishes to defer an examination in a course or unit must apply in writing to the Director, SSC, setting out the grounds on which deferral is sought and provide sufficient written evidence to support the application. Students are not eligible to apply for a deferred examination in the unit if their performance in other unit requirements would preclude a successful completion of that unit. (2) Where the student is aware before the examination of the grounds on which deferral of the examination is to be sought, the student must apply for deferral before the examination. (3) Where sub-rule (2) does not apply and the student fails to sit for an examination, the student must apply for deferral as soon as practicable. (4) A student who has been granted permission to defer a final examination in a unit shall be awarded the interim grade DE. (5) A student who is unable to attend a deferred examination at the designated time may, with the consent of the coordinator of the relevant unit or course (or Head of the relevant School), defer that examination to a later time, which shall not be later than the end of the teaching period following that in which the unit would ordinarily have been completed. (6) Procedures and timeframes for the deferred or late submission of assignments are governed by the University’s Assessment Policy. 25. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS – BOARD OF EXAMINERS’ DISCRETION (1) Subject to sub-rule (2), at the end of each teaching period the Board of Examiners of the relevant Faculty shall determine the academic progression status of each student in accordance with the criteria set out in rules 26, 27 and 28. (2) In determining a student’s academic progression status in accordance with sub-rule (1), the Board of Examiners may exercise such discretion as the Board considers reasonable in the circumstances. (3) Where a higher education course work student has failed only one unit in a semester, the Board of Examiners may: - (a) grant the student a conceded pass or supplementary assessment in that unit if the student has received a mark of 45 or more, with a grade of ‘N’ or ‘I’; or (b) grant the student a supplementary assessment in that unit if the student has received a mark of 40 or more with a grade of ‘N’ or ‘I’ and by successful completion of the supplementary assessment the student would immediately complete the course; or (c) affirm the awarded grade in that unit. (4) A conceded pass shall retain the numerical grade originally awarded but shall be given a literal grade of C*. (5) Where a higher education student (a) attains a pass in a supplementary assessment, the grade PS will be substituted for the original grade; and, (i) where the original grade was N the pass shall be assigned a percentage of 50; and (ii) where the original grade was I, the pass will carry the original numerical assessment; (b) fails a supplementary assessment the grade of FS will be recorded on the student’s record for that unit; (c) fails a unit at a supplementary assessment, the student shall be required to repeat that unit or such alternative unit as may be directed by the Board of Examiners. (6) Where a VET student is assessed and given an award other than CO, and where the Director, WAAPA, determines it is practical to do so, the student may be re-assessed once in the same teaching period without being required to re-enrol. If the student is deemed competent on that reassessment, the student will be given a grade of CS. Otherwise, subject to sub-rules 26(6) and 29(2), the student will be required to re-enrol and complete the relevant unit in the following teaching period in which the unit is offered. (7) Following the determination of each student's academic progression status, the Board of Examiners: (a) may exclude a student from enrolling in any unit; (b) may place a student on a restricted program of study; or (c) may, in accordance with sub-rule 29(2), permit a student to repeat a failed unit more than twice. [Rule 25 amended by Rule Amendment 1 of 2008] 26. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS – HIGHER EDUCATION COURSE WORK DEGREES (1) At the commencement of a student’s first period of study in a course, the academic progression status shall be ‘good standing’. (2) Where, at the end of a teaching period, a student has attained at least 50 per cent of the credit points ascribed to the units in which the student was enrolled for that teaching period, the student's academic progression status shall be 'good standing' unless; (a) the teaching period is a student's first period of study in a course following the student's re-enrolment after suspension or exclusion; or (b) the Dean has determined that the academic progression status should not be ‘good standing’. (3) Where, at the end of a teaching period, a student fails to attain at least 50 per cent of the credit points ascribed to the units in which the student was enrolled for that teaching period; (a) if the student has a current academic progression status of ‘good standing’, the student's academic progression status will be 'probation'; (b) if the student has a current academic progression status of ‘probation’: (i) and the student has previously been suspended pursuant to this sub-rule, the student’s academic progression status will be ‘excluded’; and (ii) in all other cases, the student may be suspended from the course and/or related courses for one or more teaching periods, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, and the student's academic progression status will be 'suspended'. (4) If a student repeats a unit under sub-rule 29(2), the student's academic progression status will be 'probation'. (5) Where a student has failed the same unit three times, the student will be, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners: (a) excluded from the course and/or related courses, in which case the student's academic progression status will be 'excluded'; or (b) excluded from a unit set and/or a unit, in which case the student's academic progression status will be 'probation'. (6) Where a student has failed a Designated Unit, the student shall be excluded from the course unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners, and the student's academic progression status will be 'excluded'. 27. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS – HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH MASTER AND DOCTORAL DEGREES (1) Where a student enrolled in a research degree: (a) fails a unit that is not a thesis unit, the student may be excluded from the course, and the student's academic progression status will be 'excluded'; (b) fails a thesis unit, the Board of Examiners may provide the student with an option, where available, to transfer his or her enrolment to a course work degree and, if this option is accepted by the student, the student's academic progression status will be 'probation'. (2) Where a candidate is awarded a grade of Marginal Progress (MP), the student must enter into a Progress Contract with his or her principal supervisor: (a) on the form and in the manner specified by the Dean, Graduate Research School; and (b) prior to his or her enrolment in the next teaching period. (3) If a student fails to satisfy the goals outlined in a progress contract in the teaching period to which it applies: (a) the student will be awarded a grade of Undifferentiated Fail (F); and (b) the student’s academic progression status will be ‘excluded’ unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners. [Rule 27 amended by Rule Amendment 1 of 2008] 28. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS - VET STUDENTS (1) The academic progress of students enrolled in VET courses will be determined annually by the relevant Board of Examiners. (2) Where a student achieves competency in 50 per cent or more of the total number of units of competency attempted during a specific teaching period, the student’s academic progression status shall be ‘good standing’. (3) Where a student is assessed as 'not yet competent' in a Designated Unit, that student may, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, be assigned an academic progression status of ‘excluded’. (4) Where a student achieves competency in greater than or equal to 25 per cent but less then 50 per cent of the total number of units of competency attempted during a specific teaching period, the student's academic progression status shall be 'probation'. (5) Where a student achieves competency in less than 25 per cent of the total number of units of competency attempted during a specific teaching period: (a) and the student has previously been suspended under this sub-rule, the student’s academic progression status will be ‘excluded’; and (b) in all other cases, the student's academic progression status will be 'suspended'. (6) Where a student has failed the same unit three times, the student shall be, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners: (a) excluded from the course and/or related courses, in which case the student's academic progression status shall be 'excluded'; or (b) excluded from a unit set and/or a unit, in which case the student's academic progression status shall be 'probation'. (7) Where a student has failed a Designated Unit, the student shall be excluded from the course unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners, and the student's academic progression status shall be 'excluded'. 29. REPEATING FAILED UNITS (1) Subject to rules 26, 27 and 28, a student must repeat a unit that he or she has failed except where the unit is an elective unit and/or the student is permitted by the relevant course coordinator to undertake an alternative unit in substitution for the failed unit. (2) Except where the Board of Examiners gives permission, a student shall not attempt a unit more than three times. PART VI - COURSES REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF THESES DIVISION 1 - GENERAL 30. INTERPRETATION In this Part, unless the contrary appears: “Candidate” means a candidate for an award to which this Part applies; “Committee” means: (a) in relation to an honours or master by course work degree: (i) the Faculty Board of the Faculty to which the candidate is or may be attached; or (ii) where the Faculty Board has established a committee with specific responsibilities for honours and master candidates - that committee; and (b) in relation to a master by research or doctoral degree, the Committee designated by the Academic Board to carry out this role; “course work” means the part of a program of study comprising course units; “examiners” means the examiners appointed under rule 44; "Student Appeals Committee" means a committee established in accordance with rule 8; and “thesis” means material to be submitted by a candidate for assessment in respect of the research part of a course. 31. APPLICATION This Part applies to the research programs and submission of theses within courses leading to: (a) an undergraduate course with honours where the honours program requires an additional year of study beyond a three year full-time undergraduate course, or the fourth year of a four year full-time undergraduate course; (b) a master award which is either fully research-based or which combines research and course work in varying proportions with the research work assessed on an individual basis; and (c) a doctoral award. DIVISION 2 - ADMISSION TO CANDIDATURE AND APPOINTMENT OF SUPERVISORS 32. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION (1) A person seeking to be admitted as a candidate must apply in writing setting out relevant information, including: (a) a brief outline of the research proposed to be undertaken; and (b) the existing qualifications of the applicant. (2) Before admitting a person to a program, the Committee shall satisfy itself that appropriate supervision will be available for that person, for the duration of the program. (3) A person who has been admitted to candidature must be enrolled in accordance with Part IV. 33. ADMISSION (1) The Committee may admit to an honours program a person who: (a) the Committee believes has shown an aptitude for, and an ability to undertake, research; and (b) has an undergraduate course Weighted Average Mark of at least 70%, or such lesser mark as the Committee may approve in respect of that applicant. (2) The Committee may admit to a research master program a person who the Committee believes: (a) has achieved excellent results in his or her undergraduate or postgraduate studies; and (b) has shown an aptitude for, and an ability to undertake, research. (3) The Committee may admit with advanced standing to the thesis stage of a master program a person who (a) the Committee believes has shown an aptitude for, and an ability to undertake, research; and (b) has either (i) completed an undergraduate award at an honours level, or (ii) holds a postgraduate diploma, or (iii) has completed equivalent course work in the relevant field. (4) (a) The Committee may admit to a PhD program a person who has a master by research award or bachelor award with honours (first class or upper second class), or equivalent, or where the applicant can demonstrate the capacity to undertake original PhD-level research. (b) The Committee may admit to a Professional Doctorate program a person who has a master by research award, master by coursework award (with a research component), bachelor award with honours, or equivalent, or where the applicant can demonstrate extensive professional experience and the capacity to undertake original doctoral-level research in a professional setting. (5) The Committee may require an applicant to have had a minimum period of relevant professional experience prior to admission. (6) When a student has been admitted to candidature, the Dean, Graduate Research School or his or her nominee shall inform the student of his or her admission and shall give the student a copy of these rules and a copy of any guidelines relating to research programs that may be issued from time to time. [Rule 33 amended by Rule Amendment 1 of 2008] 34. CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE (1) Subject to any direction of the Committee and as soon as practicable after the completion of any requisite course work, an honours, research master or doctoral candidate must submit to the Committee a written research proposal to enable the Committee to determine, subject to Divisions 3 and 4: (a) the title of the thesis, together with an outline of the research and/or scholarly and creative activity to be conducted; (b) if there are any special resources required to complete the proposed research; (c) the nature of any special examination conditions; (d) the language of the thesis if other than English; and (e) the supervisor or supervisors of the research. (2) A research master candidate must submit a research proposal for approval within 4 months of the date of commencement of full-time study following the completion of any requisite course work. A doctoral candidate must submit a research proposal for approval within 6 months of full-time study following the completion of any requisite course work. (3) Honours, research master and doctoral candidates whose research involves the use of human participants, previously collected confidential data, or the use of animals for scientific purposes must have approved ethics clearance for their proposed research. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure compliance with all ethics requirements. For research projects that do not involve the use of human participants, previously collected confidential data, or the use of animals for scientific purposes, candidates must complete an Ethics Declaration Form. (4) Candidates may not commence the recruitment or data collection phase of their research until the research proposal has been approved and ethics clearance obtained. (5) Upon approval of the research proposal, the Committee shall confirm candidature; and the Committee may from time to time vary the confirmation following consultation with the relevant student and his or her supervisor(s). (6) The Committee must not confirm candidature where it would lead to a thesis which could not be made available for the purposes of private study or research unless there are special circumstances. Where a student wishes to restrict access the restriction should be made clear at the time of submission of the thesis proposal. (7) Where a candidate undertakes research which either requires the signing of a confidentiality agreement imposing restrictions on the publication of any resultant thesis, or which for any other reason seems likely to require such restriction, the candidate must obtain prior approval from the Committee before proceeding with the research. 35. APPOINTMENT OF SUPERVISORS (1) (a) Principal supervisors must be appointed: (i) in a degree comprising only research, on an initial enrolment, and (ii) in all other cases, at the latest, when all required course work has been completed. (b) Associate supervisors must be appointed no later than at the end of the first semester of research. (2) The number of supervisors to be appointed by the Committee shall be as follows: (a) for an honours’ candidate - one supervisor; (b) for a master candidate - at least one supervisor; and where more than one supervisor is appointed, one supervisor shall be nominated as principal supervisor; and (c) for a doctoral candidate - a principal supervisor assisted by at least one associate supervisor. (3) Except in exceptional circumstances, at least the Principal Supervisor for each candidate shall be a member of the full-time or part-time academic staff of the University employed under an ongoing or fixed-term contract. (4) Where a supervisor is absent or is otherwise unable to perform the duties of supervision for a period of 4 or more consecutive weeks of the teaching period during which the candidate is conducting his or her research, the supervisor shall give the Committee prior notice of the proposed arrangements for supervision during the period of absence. [Rule 35 amended by Rule Amendment 1 of 2008] DIVISION 3 – THESIS STUDIES 36. DURATION OF PROGRAMS (1) Except where the Committee otherwise directs, the duration of research programs will be as follows: (a) for an honours year of an undergraduate program, not more than: (i) two teaching periods full-time, or (ii) four teaching periods part-time; (b) for studies leading to a master award: (i) at least one and no more than two academic years full-time, or (ii) at least two and no more than four academic years part-time; (c) for studies leading to a doctoral award: (i) at least two and no more than four academic years full-time, or (ii) at least four and no more than eight academic years part-time. (2) Except where the Committee otherwise directs, research programs must be completed in consecutive teaching periods or years. (3) The candidate must pursue his or her studies to the satisfaction of the Committee. 37. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISORS AND OF CANDIDATES (1) The Committee may prescribe the responsibilities of supervisors and candidates and, subject thereto, the supervisors shall assist the candidate in his or her research and in the observance of the provisions of this Part. (2) Where a supervisor considers that the candidate has failed to pursue his or her research satisfactorily or has failed to observe any of the provisions of this Part, the supervisor will immediately report the failure to the Committee. 38. METHOD OF SUPERVISION (1) The Committee may prescribe the mode and the frequency of: (a) discussions between the candidate and the candidate’s supervisors on the progress of the research program; and (b) reports to be submitted to the Committee by supervisors. (2) Not less than once each teaching period, the supervisors shall report to the Board of Examiners on the progress of the candidate. 39. COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUPERVISION AND REQUESTS FOR A CHANGE OF SUPERVISOR (1) A candidate experiencing difficulties with supervision should, in the first instance, attempt to resolve the problem through discussion with their supervisor(s). In the event of an unsatisfactory outcome, the candidate should then discuss the matter with the Head of School. (2) If the problem cannot be resolved, the candidate may lodge a written complaint in relation to his or her supervisor(s) with the Dean of the Faculty at any time prior to submitting his or her thesis for examination. (3) The Dean will investigate the matter and advise the candidate of his or her decision in writing as soon as possible. If the candidate is dissatisfied with the decision, he or she may appeal against that ruling to the Student Appeals Committee in accordance with rule 58. (4) Following submission of the thesis for examination, the candidate may appeal against aspects of the examination process or outcome of the examination in accordance with rules 56 and 58, but not against aspects of supervision. (5) If a candidate has no complaint about a supervisor or supervisors, but wishes to change his or her supervisor(s), the candidate may request a change in writing to the Committee, outlining the reasons for the change. This request may be made at any stage prior to the submission of the thesis for examination. 40. ATTENDANCE AT UNIVERSITY (1) Subject to sub-rule (2), a candidate shall pursue his or her course at the University. (2) With the written consent of the Committee, a candidate may pursue part of the course at another institution approved by the Committee or undertake field work relating to the candidate’s research under the auspices of another institution; but the total periods covered by the studies or work referred to in this sub-rule shall not be used to satisfy more than one-half of the requirements of the course. 41. EXCLUSION (1) The Committee may recommend to the Board of Examiners that a candidate be excluded from the course on the ground that the candidate has failed to: (a) maintain good standing as defined in rule 26, or (b) pursue the course to the satisfaction of the Committee, or (c) otherwise comply with these rules. (2) Where the Committee has formed the preliminary view that a candidate should be excluded from further enrolment under the provisions of sub-rule 41(1)(b) or (c), the Committee may invite the candidate to show cause why the Committee’s preliminary view should not be confirmed. (3) Upon receipt of the Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Examiners may exclude the candidate and shall thereupon notify the candidate of the exclusion. (4) A candidate excluded by the Board of Examiners under this rule may appeal to the Student Appeals Committee under the provisions of rule 58. DIVISION 4 – ASSESSMENT OF THESES 42. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SUBMIT A THESIS A candidate intending to submit a thesis for examination must give not less than 6 weeks written notice of his or her intention to do so and in such form as the Committee prescribes. 43. SUBMISSION OF THESIS A student may only submit a project/thesis for examination if the student is enrolled in the appropriate project/thesis unit. 44. APPOINTMENT OF EXAMINERS (1) The Committee shall appoint persons to examine a thesis as follows: (a) for an honours candidate - at least two examiners, unless otherwise specified by the Committee; (b) for a master candidate - not fewer than two examiners at least one of whom shall be a person who is not a member of the academic staff of the University; and (c) for a doctoral candidate – unless the Academic Board otherwise determines, not fewer than 3 examiners all of whom shall be persons who are not members of the staff of the University. (2) Unless the Academic Board otherwise determines, the Committee shall not appoint as an examiner a person who is a supervisor of the candidate to be examined or who the Committee otherwise believes has a conflict of interest. (3) The Committee may, at the request of a candidate or at the request of an examiner of a candidate, discharge the examiner and appoint another person in his or her place. 45. REQUIREMENTS OF A THESIS (1) Unless the Committee otherwise determines, the text component of a thesis must be written in English. The assessment of a thesis must be conducted in the English language. (2) A thesis must incorporate an account of research conducted during the course and the outcomes of the research. (3) The Committee may approve an amendment of the title of a thesis. 46. REPORTS BY EXAMINERS (1) Subject to sub-rule (7), the examiners shall report to the Committee their assessment of each thesis within 6 weeks after submission of a doctoral thesis or a master thesis and 4 weeks after submission of an honours thesis. (2) In the case of only two examiners’ reports for a doctoral thesis being received after 8 weeks, the Committee may determine an outcome based on those two reports. (3) If an examiner believes that the thesis may contain defamatory material, the examiner shall notify the Committee. (4) Upon notification under sub-rule (3), the Committee must seek legal advice as to whether or not the thesis contains defamatory material. (5) If the legal advice is that the thesis contains material which is, or may be, defamatory, the Committee may notify the candidate that such material must be removed from the thesis before the thesis can be further assessed. (6) Upon notification under sub-rule (5), the candidate must amend the thesis to remove the defamatory material and re-submit the thesis for assessment. (7) The reports of the examiners shall recommend in relation to the thesis: (a) unqualified acceptance; or (b) acceptance subject to minor amendments being made to the satisfaction of the supervisor; or (c) acceptance subject to amendment of passages in the thesis being made to the satisfaction of the Head of School or nominee for a doctoral thesis, or the supervisor for master and honours theses; or (d) revision and re-examination; or (e) rejection. (8) The Committee shall determine the day, not being later than twelve months after the day on which the Committee meets to consider the reports of the examiners, as the last day for re-submission of the candidate’s thesis should re-submission be required. 47. ORAL DEFENCES BY DOCTORAL CANDIDATES (1) This rule applies to doctoral candidates only. (2) On the recommendation of the examiners, the Committee may require the candidate to be examined orally on the substance of the thesis and on the background of its subject (“an oral defence”). (3) Where the thesis is based on the joint research of the candidate and of another person, the candidate shall undertake an oral defence of the thesis unless the Committee decides there are exceptional circumstances. (4) The Committee shall determine when and where the oral defence shall be held. (5) Where an oral defence is to be conducted by fewer than the total number of examiners for the candidate, the examiners who are to conduct the oral defence must: (a) ascertain from the examiners who will be absent (“the absent examiners”) what questions they want to be put to the candidate; and (b) at the examination, put the substance of those questions to the candidate together with any other questions that they consider relevant; and (c) report to the absent examiners on the performance of the candidate, including the candidate’s responses to questions proposed by the absent examiners. (6) Where, in the opinion of the Committee, it is not practicable to hold an oral defence, the candidate shall be examined by a written examination set by the examiners of the thesis covering the field that the oral defence would have covered. (7) Where the examiners of the thesis are not satisfied with the candidate’s performance at an oral defence or at a written examination held under sub-rule (6), they may recommend that the candidate be examined or further examined by written examination set by them and the Committee may direct the holding of the examination or further examination, as the case may be. (8) The candidate’s answers to a written examination held under this rule must be sent by the committee to the examiners of the thesis and must be taken into consideration by the examiners in preparing their reports under sub-rule 46(1). 48. RE-EXAMINATION (1) A candidate may only be re-examined once under sub-rule 47(8). (2) Except in special circumstances, the original examiners shall re-examine the candidate. 49. CERTAIN WORKS NOT TO BE SUBMITTED Except with the approval of the Committee, a candidate must not submit for examination any work previously submitted for a degree of the University or of any other institution of higher learning. DIVISION 5 – ADMISSION TO THE DEGREE 50. RECOMMENDATION FOR ADMISSION (1) After consideration of the examiners’ reports, the Committee shall recommend to the Board of Examiners that the candidate be: (a) admitted to the degree; or (b) admitted to the degree subject to amendments being made to the thesis to the satisfaction of the Committee, in which case the Committee shall nominate a date by which the amended thesis must be submitted; or (c) permitted to submit a revised thesis for re-examination, in which case the Committee shall nominate a date by which the thesis must be re-submitted; or (d) not admitted to the degree. (2) In the case of an honours candidate, the degree may be awarded with: (a) first class honours; (b) upper second class honours; (c) lower second class honours; or (d) third class honours, and where the recommendation is that honours be awarded, the recommendation shall be for a specified class of honours. (3) Upon receiving the Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Examiners must make a determination in relation to the status of the candidate and may accept, reject or vary the Committee’s recommendation or refer it back to the Committee for further consideration. 51. APPEALS TO THE STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE A candidate who is aggrieved by a determination under sub-rule 50(3) may appeal against the decision to the Student Appeals Committee in accordance with rule 58. DIVISION 6 – THESIS REQUIREMENTS 52. FORMAL REQUIREMENTS OF THESES (1) Unless otherwise approved by the Committee, the text component of a thesis must be presented on A4 paper printed on one side of the paper only, with margins of at least 4 centimetres on the left-hand side and 2 centimetres on the right-hand side with sufficient space at the top and bottom to allow for trimming during binding. The thesis will normally be presented in 1.5 spacing. (2) The prescribed number of copies of the text component of a Candidate’s thesis must be submitted in unbound form to the Committee and, when the thesis is submitted, sufficient copies must be lodged to enable one to be retained by the Committee and one provided to each examiner. (3) The text component of a Candidate’s thesis must incorporate, in the following order: (a) a title page giving the title of the thesis in full, the names and degrees of the candidate, the name of the Faculty to which the candidate is attached and the date of submission for the degree; (b) an abstract in not more than 500 words; (c) a declaration, pertaining to the entire thesis, signed by the Candidate in the following terms: I certify that this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief: (i) incorporate without acknowledgment any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education; (ii) contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text of this thesis; or (iii) contain any defamatory material; (d) an acknowledgment by the candidate of help given or work carried out by any other person or organisation; (e) a table of contents; (f) the main text; (g) a list of references; and (h) appendices, if any. (4) Diagrams, figures, photographs, and other supporting material must be printed on A4 paper or documented in a digital form. (5) All full page figures must form a right-hand page with the legend either at the bottom or, if necessary, on the page facing the figures. (6) Diagrams, maps, tables and the like exceeding A4 size, must be folded so as to read as a right-hand page when open. (7) If diagrams, figures and photographs are to be mounted on a page, a dry-mounting process must be used. (8) Wherever possible, tables must be inserted in the appropriate place in the text, but lengthy or bulky tables must appear as appendices. (9) Where a candidate has been granted access to confidential information by a government agency or a company or person for the purpose of writing a thesis, the thesis must incorporate a statement signed by the candidate setting out the terms or conditions on which access was granted and any stipulations regarding subsequent disclosure of the information provided. (10)A thesis may be submitted in the form of a series of published papers. 53. SUBMISSION OF THESES TO THE COMMITTEE (1) After acceptance of the thesis, one copy of the text component of the thesis must be sewn, trimmed and bound with stiff covers, covered with dark cloth in the colour designated for the appropriate faculty and discipline. (2) On the spine of the thesis there must be printed, in gold lettering of suitable size, reading from top to bottom of the spine, the initials and surname of the candidate, the year of completion of the thesis and the abbreviation (post nominals) of the award for which the thesis is submitted. (3) On the front cover of the thesis there must be printed, in gold lettering of suitable size, reading from the top to bottom of the cover, the title of the thesis, the full name of the student, the year of completion, and the full name of the award. (4) Where published papers are submitted as additional evidence, they must be bound in the back of the thesis as an appendix. (5) The bound copy and an additional unbound copy of the text component of the thesis must be submitted to the Committee. The bound copy of the thesis may be printed on both sides of the pages, however, the unbound copy must only be printed on one side of the pages. (6) A copy of the entire thesis, that is, the text component of the thesis and, if applicable, any supporting material in a digital form, must also be submitted to the Committee in a digital format approved by the Committee. (7) Variations to the requirements set out in Rules 52 and 53 are subject to Committee approval. Candidates may request the Committee to approve variations on these requirements at the time of confirmation of candidature. 54. RETENTION OF THESES Notwithstanding sub-rules 34(6) and 34(7) but subject to sub-rule (4): (1) The Committee shall send to the University Library a digital copy of the entire thesis and one bound copy and one unbound copy of the text component of the thesis, provided that the transmission of Honours level theses to the Library will be at the discretion of the Committee. (2) The Library shall arrange for the bound, digital and microform copies of the thesis to be made available for use in the Library and it shall deposit the microform master for permanent retention in the University Archives. (3) The submission of a thesis by a candidate authorises the University to make the thesis available for the purpose of private study and research. (4) In making the thesis publicly available, the Committee must give due regard to the protection of the candidate’s or third parties’ interests under laws relating to copyright, patents or industrial designs or considerations of confidentiality including those arising from the lodgement of a statement by the candidate under rule 52(9) and (a) where the Committee is satisfied that an appendix to a candidate’s thesis marked ‘confidential’ contains material obtained or produced by the candidate on condition that the material be kept confidential, the Committee may authorise the candidate to prohibit access to the appendix for such period and on such conditions as the Committee determines; and (b) where the Committee is satisfied that the disclosure of the thesis, or some specified part of it, to any person including the University Library or Archives should be prohibited for a specified period, the Committee may authorise the candidate to prohibit disclosure for that period. DIVISION 7 - MISCELLANEOUS 55. TIME LIMITS The Committee may, upon such terms as it thinks fit, extend or abridge any period of time fixed by a provision of this Part or by any determination or resolution of the Committee, the Board of Examiners, the examiners or a supervisor; and it may do so after the expiration of any such period. PART VII - REVIEWS AND APPEALS 56. APPEALS - RESULTS (1) A student may appeal: (a) the final result awarded for a unit; (b) the result awarded for an individual item of assessment; or (c) the result awarded for an examination; no later than 20 business days after the release of the final result for that unit on one or more of the grounds specified in sub-rule (2) provided the student has: (i) discussed informally the matter with the academic staff member concerned; or (ii) for reasons of practical or personal difficulty, discussed the matter with another academic staff member who is involved in the delivery of that unit (for example, lecturer, unit co-ordinator, course co-ordinator, or the relevant Head of School or nominee). (2) The grounds on which a result may be appealed under sub-rule (1) include: (a) the result was not determined by the assessment method specified in the relevant unit outline; (b) disadvantage through lack of feedback; (c) perceived bias affecting the assessment; (d) incorrect advice from staff teaching the unit affecting the assessment; (e) patent errors; and (f) any other grounds accepted for appeal by the staff member conducting the review. (3) For the avoidance of any doubt, invalid grounds for appealing a result under sub-rule (1) include: (a) the learning objectives of the unit; (b) the assessment methods approved for the unit; (c) the standard required to achieve particular grades; (d) personal or medical problems; (e) financial, career or other personal implications of not passing the unit; (f) results received by students in the same or other units; (g) the amount of work done by the student; and (h) the penalty imposed for academic misconduct in relation to an item of assessment where the assessment comprises part of a final unit result. (4) A student must submit his or her appeal in writing to the Director, SSC, identifying the unit, the assessment result in question and the grounds for the appeal, together with any supporting documentation in the manner specified and by the closing dates published by the University. (5) An appeal received with incomplete or inadequate information will be returned to the student within 5 business days, following which the student may adequately complete the appeal and resubmit it to the Director, SSC, within 5 business days of the student receiving the returned appeal. Any such resubmitted appeal shall be considered on its merits. (6) Appeals lodged under sub-rule (1) will be forwarded to the Dean of the relevant Faculty or nominee who shall appoint an academic staff member (“the reviewer”), with a view to avoiding a conflict of interest, to review the original decision. (7) If the reviewer and the relevant Dean or nominee believe the appeal to be frivolous, vexatious or devoid of merit on the papers, the appeal may be dismissed without complying with sub-rule (8). (8) The reviewer shall: (a) conduct the review in accordance with the Appeal Guidelines; (b) make every reasonable effort to consult the student who requested the review and the member or members of staff concerned (or the Head of School in the event that the staff member is unavailable) in the original result or decision; (c) notify the Dean of the Faculty or nominee that the initial decision has been confirmed, varied or set aside and make recommendations on action to be taken; and (d) give his or her decision to the Director, SSC, outlining the reasons for the decision, within 15 business days of the date the appeal was received by the Faculty. (9) The Director, SSC, shall inform the student in writing of the appeal outcome and the reasons for the decision within 3 business days of receipt of the decision. (10) A student may appeal a decision made under this rule in accordance with rule 58. [Rule 56 amended by Rule Amendment 1 of 2008] 57. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION STATUS REVIEW (1) A student has the right to request a review of his or her academic progression status (for example, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, probation) given during or at the conclusion of any teaching period on one or more of the grounds specified in sub-rule (2). (2) The grounds upon which an academic progression status may be appealed under sub-rule (1) are: (a) ill-health or injury as evidenced by a medical certificate or statement from a health care professional; (b) family bereavement; or (c) any other exceptional compassionate circumstances which the reviewer considers had a sufficiently negative impact on the student’s ability to study or carry out or complete any other assessment requirement during the relevant teaching period. (3) (a) An appeal under sub-rule (1) must be submitted in writing to the Director, SSC, detailing the grounds of the appeal together with any supporting documentation no later than 20 business days after the release of the academic progression status. (b) An appeal lodged under sub-rule (1) will be forwarded to the Dean of the relevant Faculty or nominee who shall appoint an academic staff member (“the reviewer”), with a view to avoiding a conflict of interest, to review the original decision. (c) A request for an Academic Progression Review received with incomplete or inadequate information will be returned to the student within 5 business days, following which the student may adequately complete the appeal and resubmit it to the Director, SSC, within 5 business days of the student receiving the returned appeal. Any such resubmitted appeal shall be considered on its merits. (d) If the reviewer and the relevant Dean or nominee believe the request to be frivolous, vexatious or devoid of merit on the papers, the appeal may be dismissed without complying with sub-rule (4). (4) The reviewer shall: (a) conduct the review in accordance with the Appeal Guidelines; (b) notify the Dean of the Faculty or nominee that the reviewed decision has been confirmed, varied or set aside and make recommendations on action to be taken; and (c) give his or her decision to the Director, SSC, outlining the reasons for the decision, within 15 business days of the date the appeal was received by the Faculty. (5) The Director, SSC, shall inform the student in writing of the appeal outcome and the reasons for the decision within 3 business days of receipt of the decision. (6) A student may appeal the decision in accordance with rule 58. [Rule 57 amended by Rule Amendment 1 of 2008] 58. APPEALS TO THE STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE (1) A student may appeal the outcome of a decision as provided under rules 14(4), 39(3) 41(4), 51, 56(10) or 57(6) on the grounds that: (a) he or she did not have sufficient opportunity to present his or her case to the decision-maker; (b) the decision-maker was affected by bias; (c) the process was not carried out in accordance with these rules or the Appeal Guidelines; or (d) the decision was made contrary to the evidence provided. (2) An appeal under sub-rule (1) must be submitted in writing to the Director, SSC, identifying the decision appealed against and the grounds for appeal, together with any supporting documentation in the manner specified and by the closing dates published by the University. (3) Appeals received with incomplete or inadequate information will be returned to the student within 5 business days, following which the student may adequately complete the appeal and resubmit it to the Director, SSC, within 5 business days of the student receiving the returned appeal. Any such resubmitted appeal shall be considered on its merits. (4) Appeals lodged under sub-rule 58(1) will be forwarded to the Student Appeals Committee for review. (5) Subject to sub-rules (6) to (13), the proceedings of the Student Appeals Committee are to be conducted in accordance with the Appeal Guidelines. (6) To the extent that the practice or procedure of the Student Appeals Committee is not prescribed in these rules or the Appeal Guidelines, it is to be as the Student Appeals Committee determines. (7) The Student Appeals Committee: (a) may require evidence or argument to be presented in writing and decide on the matters on which it will hear oral evidence or argument; (b) may limit the time available for presenting the respective cases of parties before it at a hearing to an extent that it considers would not impede the fair and adequate representation of the case; and (c) may adjourn a proceeding at any time. (8) If the Student Appeals Committee considers an appeal frivolous, vexatious or devoid of merit, the appeal may be dismissed summarily by the Committee without a formal hearing. The student shall be advised in writing by the Director, SSC, accordingly. (9) The appellant may appoint a person, other than a legal practitioner, to conduct the appeal on the appellant’s behalf or otherwise accompany or assist him or her in relation to the appeal. (10) The Student Appeals Committee shall affirm, vary or set aside the appealed decision within 15 business days of the date on which the appeal was submitted. (11) Each member of the Student Appeals Committee shall have one deliberative vote only, including the chairperson. (12) When a vote results in an equal number for and against the appellant, the chairperson shall declare the appeal lost. (13) The Student Appeals Committee must advise the Director, SSC of its decision. The Director, SSC shall inform the appellant in writing of the Student Appeals Committee’s decision and the reasons for the decision within 3 business days of his or her receipt of the decision and reasons. (14) The Student Appeals Committee is the final avenue of appeal within the University. 59. ENROLMENT PENDING APPEAL (1) If, in the opinion of the Director, SSC, a pending review or appeal under any of rules 56, 57 and 58 may affect a student’s enrolment, the student may enrol provisionally. (2) Provisional enrolment is allowed upon the condition that the student shall not have the right to claim disadvantage if the student’s appeal is dismissed after completion of any or all unit requirements or purchase of unit materials. (3) Provisional enrolment shall be cancelled where the review or appeal is unsuccessful. (4) Provided that the student has met his or her responsibilities under the appeals rules and guidelines, where the outcome of an appeal or review results in cancellation of the provisional enrolment after the census date in that teaching period, the student will be eligible for a refund of any charges or other money paid by the student under the ECU Act, a Statute, rule or by-law for the unit or units associated with the provisional enrolment. PART VIII - MISCELLANEOUS 60. SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS (1) Where a notice or other document is permitted or required by these rules to be given or served, service of the notice or document may be effected on the person to be served: (a) by giving the notice or document directly to that person; (b) by sending, as an email message, the notice or document to that person’s official ECU email address; (c) by sending, in the body of an email message to that person’s last known ECU email address, a URL (uniform resource locator) link to the notice or document, together with notification that the person is required to download the notice or document; (d) by posting the notice or document as a letter to that person’s known address; or (e) by leaving it for that person at that person’s last known place of abode. (2) Where the notice or document is sent in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of sub-rule (1), service is deemed to occur at the time of sending the message. (3) Where the notice or document is posted in accordance with paragraph (d) of sub-rule (1), service is deemed to occur at the expiration of 5 working days from the time of posting. PART IX – AWARD REQUIREMENTS DIVISION 1 – GENERAL 61. REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLETE AN AWARD (1) In order to be eligible for any award of the University, a student shall: (a) attain the number of credit points or units of competency required for that award (subject to any credits awarded); (b) complete the requirements for the course in which the student is enrolled including all required units (subject to any advanced standing awarded); (c) satisfy the other requirements of these rules; and (d) satisfy the requirements of all other relevant Statutes, by-laws and rules of the University. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (1), and subject to the policies of the Academic Board governing posthumous awards, an award may be conferred on a student of the university who dies before completing the requirements of an award in which he or she is enrolled. 62. ACADEMIC YEAR One academic year of full-time study shall constitute 120 credit points (or equivalent for courses requiring submission of a thesis) or at least 442 hours per year for VET courses. DIVISION 2 - VET AWARDS 63. INTERPRETATION In this Division, unless the contrary appears: “Scope of Registration” defines the qualifications that the University is registered to provide as a Registered Training Organisation; and “TAC” means the State Training Accreditation Council. 64. REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLETE A VET AWARD (1) VET awards are those on offer as defined in the Scope of Registration. (2) To qualify for a VET award, a student must successfully complete all required units of competency which form part of the course leading to a VET award. (3) Additional conditions and processes determined by the University, the TAC or as part of the Scope of Registration may apply from time to time to VET students and the requirements of a VET award. DIVISION 3 – UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS 65. INTERPRETATION In this Division, unless the contrary appears: “double degree” means the concurrent study of two bachelor level courses; “undergraduate award” means an award described as such in the University Qualifications Framework approved by Academic Board; and “supporting major” means a major in respect of which the unit requirements, other than the total credit points required, have been modified from those of the corresponding major in order to make it available to students enrolled in a course other than the course offering the major. 66. CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE AWARD - UNDERGRADUATE Subject to rule 21, to qualify for an undergraduate award a student shall complete, as a minimum, the number of credit points specified in the University Qualifications Framework approved by the Academic Board in respect of the course of study in which the student is enrolled: 67. MAJOR (1) At least 50% of the credit points contributing towards the completion of a major shall be from units at the 2000 level or above unless otherwise determined by the Faculty Board in accordance with criteria determined by the Academic Board. (2) Completion of a major shall be recognised on a student’s statement of academic record and testamur. (3) The recognition of, and requirements for, a major shall be determined by the Faculty Board in accordance with policy set by Academic Board from time to time. (4) Students may seek to complete a double major, and in order to do so must complete all required units for each major, which may require the student to complete units with a combined credit point value exceeding that required for completion of the Bachelor degree. 68. SUPPORTING MAJOR (1) At least 50% of the credit points contributing towards completion of a supporting major shall be from units at the 2000 level or above unless otherwise determined by the Faculty Board in accordance with criteria determined by the Academic Board. (2) Completion of a supporting major shall be recognised on the student’s statement of academic record. (3) The recognition of, and requirements for, a supporting major shall be determined by the Faculty Board, in accordance with policy set by the Academic Board. 69. MINOR (1) At least 50% of the credit points contributing towards the completion of a minor shall be from units at the 2000 level or above unless otherwise determined by the Faculty Board in accordance with criteria determined by the Academic Board. (2) Completion of a minor shall be recognised on the student’s statement of academic record. (3) The recognition of, and requirements for, a minor shall be determined by the Faculty Board, in accordance with policy set by the Academic Board. 70. DOUBLE DEGREES (1) Double degrees are only available in areas approved by the Academic Board from time to time. (2) Students undertaking double degrees are required to complete all of the formal requirements of each of the two courses, subject to any advanced standing granted under these rules. (3) A student enrolled in a double degree may undertake honours in either or both of the courses in which he or she is enrolled if the student qualifies to do so. (4) A student who completes the requirements of one of the awards and wishes to graduate in that award shall transfer enrolment to the single degree course for that purpose. Continuation in the other award will also require the student to transfer enrolment to the remaining single degree course. 71. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ON TESTAMUR AND STATEMENT OF ACADEMIC RECORD A student's statement of academic record and testamur will not acknowledge groupings of units completed by the student other than in accordance with rules 67 to 70. DIVISION 4 - POSTGRADUATE AWARDS 72. CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE AWARD – POSTGRADUATE (1) To qualify for a postgraduate award, a student shall attain the number of credit points specified in the University Qualifications Framework approved by the Academic Board, unless determined otherwise by the Academic Board. (2) To qualify for a research master or doctoral award, a student shall successfully complete the required course work, if any, and thesis. Completion of the award is not determined by the number of credit points attained. (3) Completion of one or more Specialisation(s) shall be recognised on a student’s statement of academic record and testamur for all postgraduate awards, except research doctoral awards. (4) For the purposes of sub-rule 72(3), the recognition of, and requirements for, a Specialisation shall be determined by the relevant Faculty Board in accordance with policy set by Academic Board from time to time. DIVISION 5 – VARIATIONS TO REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDS 73. GENERAL CREDIT In exceptional circumstances the chairperson of the Board of Examiners may, upon recommendation by the Head of School, give approval for a student to graduate with up to 10 credit points short of the number of credit points required for graduation. This approval will be contingent on the student completing the required units for the relevant course. 74. EXEMPTIONS FROM RULES On the recommendation of Academic Board, the Council may grant exemptions from applications of or compliance with these rules in individual cases, subject to any conditions it may specify. This does not derogate from other discretionary authority conferred on the Council or other persons under these rules. APPENDIX 1 Weighted Average Mark (WAM) The calculation of a student's Weighted Average Mark uses the following data: 1. Credit Points: the number of credit points ascribed to all units enrolled in by the student in the relevant semester or course. 2. Numeric Mark Value: This is the numeric mark recorded as the assessment outcome for each unit a student has studied. Units assessed without a numeric mark value will not be included in the calculation. 3. WAM Weighting Value: This is a value assigned to a unit to 'weight' different level units. Unless otherwise stated, the weighted value for all units will be 1.00. The WAM is calculated using the following formula: The Sum of (Credit Points x Mark x Weighting) Divided by the Sum of (Credit Points x Weighting). Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules 36 38