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Graduate Attributes Policy

Policy overview

1 Purpose

To articulate the Graduate Attributes that all Students will demonstrate upon the completion of a Coursework Program.

2 Scope

This policy applies to all Coursework Programs. All Students enrolled in Coursework Programs are subject to this policy.

3 Policy Statement

The Graduate Attributes Policy will inform curriculum development and the Student Learning Journey.

Graduate Attributes will be developed, practised, and assessed across all Coursework Programs, and in all Coursework Course curricula.

Graduate Attributes are incorporated into Program and Course Learning Outcomes and mapped as required.

Ongoing, periodic review of Graduate Attributes will be undertaken.

4 Principles

Through their participation in curricular learning activities, enriched by co-curricular learning experiences, University Graduates of Coursework Programs are enabled to be:

  • Well-informed individuals with discipline-specific expertise and industry knowledge relevant to their profession or area of study;
  • Critical, creative, thinkers who can integrate and apply knowledge and relevant skills, including research and digital literacy skills, to analyse and evaluate ideas, concepts, theories and problems, and offer insights, innovative approaches and solutions;
  • Effective communicators and collaborators who actively and respectfully lead, listen, reflect, discuss and negotiate in order to work productively with a range of individuals and groups, including professional teams;
  • Ethical, engaged professionals and citizens who engage in, non-discriminatory, safe practices and consider the local, global, social, economic, legal and environmental influences on, and impact of, their attitudes and actions;
  • Employable, enterprising professionals who are confident, self-directed, know how they learn, and are resourceful, resilient, and adaptable to change;
  • Culturally capable individuals who are self-aware and sensitive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and perspectives, equitable and respectful of diversity and multiculturalism, and can apply these capabilities in their professional practice.

5 References

Australian Qualifications Framework Council. (2013). Australian Qualifications Framework. Retrieved from http://www.aqf.edu.au/

Barrie, S. (2004). A research-based approach to generic, graduate attributes policy. Higher Education Research & Development, 23(3), 261.275. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0729436042000235391

Oliver, B., and Jorre de St. Jorre, T. (2018). Graduate attributes for 2020 and beyond: recommendations for Australian higher education providers. Higher Education Research & Development, 37(4), 821-836. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2018.1446415

Universities Australia. (2011). Guiding Principles for Developing Indigenous Cultural Competency in Australian Universities. October 2011. Retrieved from https://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Guiding-Principles-for-Developing-Indigenous-Cultural-Competency-in-Australian-Universities.pdf

6 Schedules

This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.

7 Policy Information

Accountable Officer

Provost

Responsible Officer

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs)

Policy Type

Academic Quality Policy

Policy Suite

Subordinate Schedules

Approved Date

23/2/2023

Effective Date

23/2/2023

Review Date

23/2/2028

Relevant Legislation

Australian Qualifications Framework

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021

Policy Exceptions

Policy Exceptions Register

Related Policies

Academic Programs and Courses Quality Policy

Assessment Policy

Learning and Teaching Policy

Related Procedures

Program Accreditation Procedure

Related forms, publications and websites

Definitions

Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary

Assessment

The process of evaluating the extent to which Students have achieved the Learning Outcomes of a Course....moreThe process of evaluating the extent to which Students have achieved the Learning Outcomes of a Course.

Course

A discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade....moreA discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade.

Coursework

A method of teaching and learning that leads to the acquisition of skills and knowledge and does not include a major research component....moreA method of teaching and learning that leads to the acquisition of skills and knowledge and does not include a major research component.

Coursework Course

A subject of study, defined by a Course Specification, for which Students may be awarded a Final Grade where the method of teaching and learning that leads to the acquisition of skills and knowledge and does not include a major research component....moreA subject of study, defined by a Course Specification, for which Students may be awarded a Final Grade where the method of teaching and learning that leads to the acquisition of skills and knowledge and does not include a major research component.

Coursework Program

A sequence of study consisting predominantly of Coursework....moreA sequence of study consisting predominantly of Coursework.

Cultural Competence

Student and Employee knowledge and understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contemporary realities, as well as an awareness of cultural protocols, combined with the proficiency to engage and work effectively in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts in line with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' expectatio...moreStudent and Employee knowledge and understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contemporary realities, as well as an awareness of cultural protocols, combined with the proficiency to engage and work effectively in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts in line with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' expectations. Cultural competence includes the ability to critically reflect on one's own culture and professional paradigms in order to understand its cultural limitations and effect positive change.

Graduate

A Student upon whom Council has conferred an Award....moreA Student upon whom Council has conferred an Award.

Graduate Attributes

Qualities, skills and disciplinary expertise that Students should develop during their time with the University and which are valued by the University community, employers and society....moreQualities, skills and disciplinary expertise that Students should develop during their time with the University and which are valued by the University community, employers and society.

Relevant Course Materials

Course materials, including teaching, learning support and assessment documentation as well as lecture slides, StudyDesk activities, resources and recordings, that inform or support Student development of targeted Graduate Attributes....moreCourse materials, including teaching, learning support and assessment documentation as well as lecture slides, StudyDesk activities, resources and recordings, that inform or support Student development of targeted Graduate Attributes.

Student

A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled.

Student Learning Journey

A framework that is used to evaluate performance at every stage of the student life cycle. The journey commences at the first point of contact (decision to apply time) and proceeds through to graduation and alumni. The Student Learning Journey prompts people across the organisation to think about the Student experience from a holistic perspective and not a series of unrelated events....moreA framework that is used to evaluate performance at every stage of the student life cycle. The journey commences at the first point of contact (decision to apply time) and proceeds through to graduation and alumni. The Student Learning Journey prompts people across the organisation to think about the Student experience from a holistic perspective and not a series of unrelated events.

Definitions that relate to this policy only

Keywords

Graduate skills, graduate capabilities, graduate learning outcomes

Record No

18/747PL

Complying with the law and observing Policy and Procedure is a condition of working and/or studying at the University.

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