Schedule overview
- 1 Purpose
- 2 Scope
- 3 Schedule
- 4 References
- 5 Schedule Information
1 Purpose
To provide guidance in the naming of University programs.
2 Scope
This schedule must be read in conjunction with the Program Accreditation Procedure and is subordinate to it.
3 Schedule
| AQF Level | Qualification Type | Qualification Title | Abbreviated Qualification Title |
| 5 | Diploma | Diploma of (Field of study/discipline) | Dip (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 5 - 7 | Undergraduate Certificate | Undergraduate Certificate of (Field of study/discipline) | UG Cert (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 6 | Advanced Diploma | Advanced Diploma of (Field of study/discipline) | Adv Dip (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 6 | Associate Degree | Associate Degree of (Field of study/discipline) | Assoc Deg (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 7 | Bachelor Degree | Bachelor of (Field of study/discipline) | B (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 8 | Bachelor Honours Degree | Bachelor of (Field of study/discipline) (Honours) | B (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) (Hons) |
| 8 | Graduate Certificate | Graduate Certificate of (Field of study/discipline) | Grad Cert (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 8 | Graduate Diploma | Graduate Diploma of (Field of study/discipline) | Grad Dip (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 9 | Masters Degree (Coursework) | Master of (Field of study/discipline) | M (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 9 | Master Degree (Research) | Master of (Field of study/discipline) | M (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 9 | Masters Degree (Extended) | Master of (Field of study/discipline) For exceptions that may be used, see below* | M (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 10 | Professional Doctoral Degree | Doctor of (Field of study/discipline) | D (Field of study/discipline, usually abbreviated) |
| 10 | Higher Doctoral Degree | Doctor of Philosophy | PhD |
* Exceptions:
1. The use of the title 'Juris Doctor' is permitted for a Masters Degree (Extended) for legal practice
2. The use of the title 'Doctor of …' is permitted for a Masters Degree (Extended) for five professions: medical practice; physiotherapy; dentistry; optometry and veterinary practice.
3.1 Double Degrees
- A Double Degree comprises two separately approved programs undertaken concurrently. To be awarded a Double Degree, Students must complete the requirements of each program and Major or Specialisation. There will be a reduction in the Unit requirements for the second degree through transfer of credit/advanced standing.
- Students eligible to access a Commonwealth Supported Place must complete their Double Degree within the Student Learning Entitlement period provided by the Commonwealth Government. Students who study beyond the allocated time limit may be required to pay fees, unless the Course is recognised by the Commonwealth Government and the Student has not already used part of their entitlement.
- A Student studying an undergraduate Double Degree where an honours program is offered in each of the separate programs may choose to undertake an honours year in either discipline.
- On completion of a Double Degree Students receive two degrees and two Testamurs.
- When a Student decides not to complete a Double Degree they will graduate with a single Award. Students must complete the program requirements of the single Award to graduate.
3.2 Bachelor Degrees with Honours
The Bachelor Degree Honours year Program is an advanced undergraduate Award available to high performing Students who have completed a relevant first degree. Honours year programs require the equivalent of one year of full-time study (8 Courses) comprising advanced and/or theoretical Coursework, research methods, and a research project culminating in a minor Thesis or equivalent.
Honours may take place in two formats: the 3+1 model or the embedded honours model.
- 3+1 Honours programs will be undertaken after completion of a 3 year Bachelor degree and will be 1 year full time equivalent.
- Embedded Honours programs will be undertaken in association with a 4 year Bachelor degree with the learning outcomes from the program equalling AQF level 8, rather than AQF level 7.
- Normally, Honours programs will contain a mix of advanced theory, professional training (where appropriate), research training and a research project leading to a Thesis (in some fields, for example the performing arts, an alternative form of presentation may be appropriate). Honours programs will include components involving the development of both written and oral communication skills.
3.3 Honours Dissertation
Honours dissertations should be more concise documents than masters or doctoral dissertations. The technical requirements for the binding of Higher Degree by Research dissertations shall apply to an honours dissertation.
It is expected that dissertations submitted for examination towards honours degrees and higher degrees will be of a standard comparable in the following respects:
- A standard of English expression, appropriate to the degree being sought, is expected in the writing of honours dissertations.
- Honours dissertations should be prepared in the same format as Higher Degree by Research dissertations; ie where applicable, there should be full biographical citations, and a distinction should be made between the main body of the report and supplementary documentation.
- Where amendments are required to be made as a condition for the Award of the degree, it is the supervisor's responsibility for ensuring that they have been completed.
The disposition of honours dissertations which have been examined and passed shall be at the discretion of the Faculty or other element of the University where the work was submitted.
Both the research and Coursework components must be successfully completed.
The research component must be supported by adequate facilities and infrastructure, including adequate resources for Students and the availability of supervisors with appropriate expertise.
Honours year programs must include provision for training in research methods, project planning and ethics.
Ethics approval must be obtained for the research component where appropriate.
All Courses included in honours year programs must be graded.
Students in honours year programs may be required to present their work in a format such as a short seminar.
3.4 Levels of Award
Honours degrees may be awarded in the following defined classes:
| Class | Abbreviation | Level of Performance |
| First Class Honours | Hons 1 | Achievement of all objectives of the program at an extremely high level. |
| Second Class Honours, Division A | Hons 2A | Achievement of all objectives of the program at a very high level. |
| Second Class Honours, Division B | Hons 2B | Satisfactory achievement of all objectives of the program, including some at a high level. |
| Third Class Honours1 | Hons 3 | Satisfactory achievement of all objectives of the programs. |
1. Candidates who do not successfully complete all components of an honours program are ineligible for the Award of an honours degree.
2. Candidates awarded an honours degree are not eligible for Awards 'with Distinction' for the same program.
3.5 Masters Degree Programs
Master Degree Programs will be classified as either:
- Masters Degree (Research)
- Masters Degree (Coursework)
- Masters Degree (Extended).
3.5.1 Purpose of Masters Degree Programs
The purpose of the Masters Degree (Research) is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for research and scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.
The purpose of the Masters Degree (Coursework) is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning. It is designed so that Graduates will have undertaken a program of structured learning with some independent research and project work or practice-related learning. If this qualification is to prepare Graduates for a profession, a significant component of structured learning will be developed in collaboration with a relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body.
The purpose of the Masters Degree (Extended) is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice and as a pathway for further learning. It is designed so that Graduates will have undertaken supervised study and research of which two thirds will be devoted to research, research training and independent study. It is designed so that Graduates will have undertaken a program of structured learning with some independent research and a significant proportion of practice-related learning. As this qualification is designed to prepare Graduates to engage in a profession the practice-related learning must be developed in collaboration with a relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body.
3.5.2 Duration of Masters Degree Programs
There will be one standard model when it comes to the duration of Masters programs. All Conversion Masters will be 16 Unit programs and all Continuing Masters will be 12 Unit programs. Students will have their circumstances individually assessed and will have a number of opportunities to gain credit into the Masters programs, particularly the Continuing Masters. These credits will normally not exceed four Courses and must not limit the capacity to achieve the program's learning outcomes.
To allow more streamlining for Students coming from a level 7 qualification into a Continuing Masters, the University may offer an embedded Graduate Certificate/Diploma option, which requires Students to complete an embedded level 8 qualification in their chosen field, before moving to the corresponding Masters program.
3.6 Definition of a Research Project and Thesis
3.6.1 Research Project
A Research Project:
- demonstrates an understanding of the research process and scholarly conventions in the discipline.
- provides an ordered exposition of knowledge gained through the candidate's own efforts.
- involves research which is more limited in scope than a Thesis in that it should
- limit attention to a few main questions
- keep data collection to a minimum
- be able to be conducted in situations which are easily accessible to the candidate.
- involves a literature review which should place the study in its research context and be critical without claiming to be exhaustive.
- may include speculation based on the findings, instead of aiming at generalisations grounded on the findings.
- demonstrates the candidate's ability to present the outcome of the study in a disciplined way that conforms to the scholarly conventions of the discipline.
- should be presented in succinct formal English.
3.6.2 Thesis
A Thesis:
- demonstrates possession of advanced knowledge in a specialised field.
- shows evidence of an original investigation and testing of hypotheses.
- shows an ability to make critical use of published work and source materials as well as an appreciation of the relationship between the topic and the wider field of knowledge.
- demonstrates competence in independent work or experimentation and an understanding of the techniques and/or approaches which are appropriate to the research questions.
- involves research the scope of which need not be a new line of development but which shows that the candidate has mastered research and synthetical skills in producing a contribution to knowledge.
- demonstrates the contribution to knowledge by drawing generalisations or further hypotheses for testing that are well grounded in the findings.
- should be presented in succinct formal English.
3.6.3 Duration of Research component
A Master Degree (Research) is to be made up of two-thirds of research Courses. This may include Courses dedicated to research methodology, as well as a capstone project.
A Masters Degree (Coursework) or a Masters Degree (Extended) must have at least four Units of research or research methodology Courses, or equivalent, which covers instruction, formative assessment and summative assessment.
3.7 Professional Doctorate Program
3.7.1 Research component
Professional doctorate programs must have at least the equivalent of one year of full-time research or a research component that is at least 33% of the program's credit.
The report(s) on the outcomes of the research component of a professional doctorate program must provide the examiners with appropriate material to allow them to determine whether or not the Student has achieved the aims of the research component at a level appropriate for the Award of the doctorate. It is recognised that there is a need for some flexibility in the material presented for examination. A professional doctorate 'dissertation', for example, may be presented as a portfolio of work that may consist either of related or discrete pieces of work.
3.7.2 Coursework component
The Coursework component of a doctoral program should include but not be limited to:
- doctoral-level Courses in research methods and data analysis procedures;
- other Courses at doctoral level, such as those providing advanced knowledge relating to professional practice, appropriate to the outcomes of the degree.
3.7.3 Practical component
An appropriate practical component may form part of a professional doctorate program.
4 References
Nil.
5 Schedule Information
| Accountable Officer | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) |
| Responsible Officer | Dean (Academic Transformation) |
| Policy Type | University Procedure |
| Policy Suite | |
| Approved Date | 31/1/2022 |
| Effective Date | 31/1/2022 |
| Review Date | 28/3/2017 |
| Relevant Legislation | |
| Related Policies | |
| Related Procedures | |
| Related forms, publications and websites | |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| The qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule....moreThe qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule. A place at an approved provider that is subsidised by the Australian Government so that Students only have to pay 'student contribution' amounts for their units of study....moreA place at an approved provider that is subsidised by the Australian Government so that Students only have to pay 'student contribution' amounts for their units of study. 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. 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. Two individually approved programs undertaken concurrently. The requirements for each program and Major or Specialisation must be completed but by cross recognition of Courses and content between the two programs the two degrees can be completed more quickly if the necessary program structure is determined from the outset. Students receive two degrees and two Testamurs....moreTwo individually approved programs undertaken concurrently. The requirements for each program and Major or Specialisation must be completed but by cross recognition of Courses and content between the two programs the two degrees can be completed more quickly if the necessary program structure is determined from the outset. Students receive two degrees and two Testamurs. A Student upon whom Council has conferred an Award....moreA Student upon whom Council has conferred an Award. A coherent set of at least eight (8) which provides depth of study within a specific subject area or discipline....moreA coherent set of at least eight (8) which provides depth of study within a specific subject area or discipline. A coherent set of at least four (4) Units in a postgraduate program which provides a disciplinary focus for Student study....moreA coherent set of at least four (4) Units in a postgraduate program which provides a disciplinary focus for Student study. 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 Entitlement (SLE) An entitlement that gives eligible Students access to a Commonwealth Supported Place....moreAn entitlement that gives eligible Students access to a Commonwealth Supported Place. A certificate issued by the Council of the University to signify that a Student has satisfied the requirements of a specific program and has graduated....moreA certificate issued by the Council of the University to signify that a Student has satisfied the requirements of a specific program and has graduated. Also known as a Standard Thesis, is the material outcomes of a program of research. It is also referred to as a 'dissertation'....moreAlso known as a Standard Thesis, is the material outcomes of a program of research. It is also referred to as a 'dissertation'. This is an indicator of the value of a Course. Most Courses are valued at one Unit. Units are used to track progress towards completing a program. (The term used prior to 2002 to describe a Course)...moreThis is an indicator of the value of a Course. Most Courses are valued at one Unit. Units are used to track progress towards completing a program. (The term used prior to 2002 to describe a Course) The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. | |
| Definitions that relate to this schedule only | |
| Keywords | |
| Record No | 14/702PL |