FRAMEWORK FOR POSTGRADUATE COURSES
Categories of graduate level courses
Graduate level coursework qualifications are offered in the following categories:
- Coursework offerings – Graduate Certificate – Graduate Diploma – Postgraduate Certificate – Postgraduate Diploma – Masters degree by coursework – Professional Doctorate (coursework component ›33.3%)
- Research offerings: – Masters degree by research (coursework component ‹33.3%) – Professional Doctorate (coursework component ‹ 33.3%) – PhD (coursework component ‹33.3%) – Higher doctorate
Objectives
- Graduate Certificate
To provide graduates in one discipline with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of one semester of advanced undergraduate and/or postgraduate coursework, generally in another discipline.
- Graduate Diploma
To provide graduates in one discipline with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of two semesters of advanced undergraduate and/or postgraduate coursework, generally in another discipline. The student may have the option of undertaking a small project (£8 units).
- Postgraduate
Certificate
To provide graduates with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of one semester of postgraduate or vocationally-oriented coursework in the appropriate discipline.
- Postgraduate Diploma
To provide graduates with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of two semesters of coursework in the appropriate discipline, the majority of which will be at postgraduate level or vocationally oriented. The student may have the option of undertaking a small project (£8 units).
- Masters by Coursework
To provide graduates with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of postgraduate or vocationally oriented coursework plus some opportunities for research or creative work if required. If the course builds directly on a four year (or longer) undergraduate degree that is required for entry, or on other entry qualifications equivalent to four years of undergraduate and postgraduate study, the student may be given up to one semester’s credit (12 units) for prior learning. The basis for such recognition may include relevant professional experience.
- PhD
To train graduates who can demonstrate evidence of successful research to become professional researchers and scholars over a period of three years..
- Professional Doctorates
To provide advanced studies and research training relevant to professional practice. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of appropriate prior qualifications, research experience and professional practice.
Number of units for coursework offerings
Information regarding the number of units required for each category of coursework is to be found in the section Postgraduate Award Requirements.
Level of Subject Offerings
- Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma – advanced level subjects (i.e. mainly postgraduate subjects and/or advanced undergraduate subjects (with assessment requirements modified for postgraduate students));
- Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma – advanced level subjects, i.e. mainly postgraduate and/or vocationally oriented subjects with the option of a minority of advanced undergraduate subjects (with assessment requirements modified for postgraduate students);
- Masters by coursework – predominantly postgraduate subjects;
- Professional doctorate – predominantly doctoral level subjects with capacity for minority of Masters’ level subjects.
Transfer between categories of postgraduate coursework
Students who undertake a diploma course after completing an appropriate certificate course may surrender their certificate and have the units credited to the diploma, subject to the approval of the relevant Executive Dean.
Students who undertake a coursework Masters degree after completing an appropriate certificate or diploma course may surrender their certificate or diploma and have the units credited to the degree, subject to the approval of the relevant Executive Dean.
Number of coursework units allowed in each category of research degree
Information regarding the number of coursework units allowed to be taken by students enrolled in each category of research degree is to be found in the section Postgraduate Award Requirements.
Admission requirements
| Category of offering | Minimum Admission Requirements |
| Graduate Certificate | Approved Bachelor’s degree of adequate standard or post-secondary study plus work experience as approved by the Executive Dean. |
| Graduate Diploma | Approved Bachelor’s degree of adequate standard. |
| Postgraduate Certificate | Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of adequate standard or approved equivalent qualification. |
| Postgraduate Diploma | Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of adequate standard or approved equivalent qualification. |
| Masters by Coursework | Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of adequate standard or approved equivalent qualification which may require a bridging subject, or as determined by the faculty. |
| Masters by Research | Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with I, IIA or IIB honours, or Postgraduate Diploma in a related field at a level specified by the Faculty including a research project of at least 6 units at a standard of credit or above, or an approved qualification deemed to be equivalent by the Head of School and the Dean of Postgraduate Studies. |
| PhD | Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with I or IIA honours, Masters degree with at least 50% research; or an equivalent qualification as approved by the Dean, Postgraduate Studies. |
| Professional Doctorate | As specified in degree requirements. Typically Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with I or IIA honours or Masters degree with at least 50% research; or an equivalent qualification as approved by the Head of School and Dean, Postgraduate Studies, plus professional experience as specified in the award requirements. |
Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements for coursework offering shall be determined by the relevant Faculty.
Masters by research and PhD students shall be required to complete the following:
- Masters by Research – Confirmation of candidature seminar within six months of commencement of candidature for full-time students; – Exit seminars before thesis submission; and – 12 monthly progress reports to the Research Students Office.
- PhD – Confirmation of candidature within 12 months of commencement for full-time students (seminar, proposal, substantial writing as specified by the School); – Exit seminars before thesis submission; and – 12 month progress reports to Research Students Office.
Thesis examination
Examination procedures for coursework offerings, including dissertations, shall be determined by the Academic Board and administered by the relevant Faculty.
The examination of all Masters degree by research, PhD degrees and professional doctorates shall be administered under the following procedures:
- Masters – three copies submitted, two examiners, at least one external;
- PhD – four copies submitted, at least two external examiners, no more than three examiners.
- Professional doctorate – as for PhD
Award of degree with honours or distinction
The option of awarding the following shall be at the discretion of the Academic Board:
- a coursework certificate, diploma or Masters degree with distinction;
- a Masters degree by research with honours.
Transfer from a research degree to a coursework degree and vice versa
Students who are enrolled in a research degree and who wish to transfer to a postgraduate coursework diploma or degree should expect to pay fees from the date of transfer. Students who wish to transfer from a graduate coursework program to a research degree shall be subject to the quota restrictions for research students at this University.