Schedule overview
1 Purpose
To provide a standard approach to the grading of honours throughout the University, both through embedded honours, and the additional year honours programs.
2 Scope
This schedule must be read in conjunction with the Assessment Procedure and is subordinate to it.
3 Schedule
For all honours programs, the class of honours awarded will be determined on the basis of both:
- the grade achieved in the honours project; and
- either:
- Schedule A where the Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated over the eight Credit point honours component (where applicable)
- or
- Schedule B where the GPA is calculated over all courses in the program.
The University standard honours assessment framework is outlined below. All GPA ranges reflect the range after straight rounding, i.e. the cut-offs shall be calculated by straight rounding, e.g. 6.48 would round to 6.5 and 6.44 would round to 6.4.
| Class of honours | Descriptor | Performance in honours project component | Schedule A: Grade Point Average * is calculated over eight units in the honours component | Schedule B: Grade Point Average * is calculated over the 32 units in the program # |
| First Class Honours (1) | Consistent evidence of a comprehensive high level of understanding of theory and practice; demonstration of an extremely high level of interpretive and analytical ability and intellectual initiative; substantial originality and insight in identifying, creating and developing arguments, perspectives and critical evaluation of problems; and high level of communication and application appropriate to the discipline. | Minimum Distinction | 6.5-7.0 | Minimum 6.0 |
| Second Class Honours (2A) | Consistent evidence of high level of understanding of theory and practice; demonstration of a high level of interpretive and analytical ability; evidence of creative insight and ability to apply relevant skills and theories as well as interpretive and analytical ability; and demonstration of appropriate and highly effective communication appropriate to the discipline. | Minimum Distinction | 5.8-6.4 | Minimum 5.5 |
| Second Class Honours (2B) | Evidence of a good level of understanding of theory and practice; development of relevant skills to a sound level; evidence of an appropriate ability to apply relevant skills and theories; well-developed interpretive and analytical ability; sound communication of information and concepts in terms of disciplinary requirements or conventions. | Minimum Credit | 5.2-5.7 | Minimum 5.0 |
| Third Class Honours (3) | Evidence of a satisfactory level of understanding of theory and practice; development of relevant skills to a satisfactory level; evidence of an appropriate ability to apply relevant skills and theories; adequate interpretive and analytical ability; satisfactory communication of information and concepts in terms of disciplinary requirements or conventions. | Minimum Pass | 3.0-5.1 | Minimum 3.0 |
* Only graded courses within the program are included in GPA calculations. Grades not contributing to GPA are not included.
Candidates who do not successfully complete all components of an honours program are ineligible for the Award of an honours degree.
4 References
Nil.
5 Schedule Information
| Accountable Officer | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) |
| Responsible Officer | Academic Registrar |
| Policy Type | University Procedure |
| Policy Suite | |
| Approved Date | 10/8/2023 |
| Effective Date | 10/8/2023 |
| Review Date | 28/3/2019 |
| Relevant Legislation | |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | |
| Related Procedures | |
| Related forms, publications and websites | |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| The number of units, up to a specified limit, granted towards a University Award on the basis of either previous Formal, Informal or Non-formal Learning. Credit reduces the number of Courses required to complete an Award Program....moreThe number of units, up to a specified limit, granted towards a University Award on the basis of either previous Formal, Informal or Non-formal Learning. Credit reduces the number of Courses required to complete an Award Program. The release from the requirement to complete a specific required Course but without reducing the overall number of Units required to complete the program....moreThe release from the requirement to complete a specific required Course but without reducing the overall number of Units required to complete the program. A GPA is the sum, for all relevant Courses, of the Unit value for each Course, multiplied by the numerical value of the Grades achieved in those Courses, divided by the sum of the Unit values for all the relevant Courses....moreA GPA is the sum, for all relevant Courses, of the Unit value for each Course, multiplied by the numerical value of the Grades achieved in those Courses, divided by the sum of the Unit values for all the relevant Courses. | |
| Definitions that relate to this schedule only | |
| Keywords | |
| Record No | 14/1413PL |