HOT TOPICS FOR ALL STAFF

Dr Carol Nicoll, Chief Commissioner, TEQSA presented this morning about what TEQSA means for all universities and for us in particular. 

If you couldn't make it to the forum, the recording will soon be available here. 

AQF update and highlights

Update

A summary sheet following the AQF Steering Committee on 18 June 2012 is now available online

Highlights 

1. Bachelor Honours degrees (level 8)

Remember, AQF 2011 changes some Honours programs. End-on Honours(80 units) is not affected but the 4 year programs (320 units) will be. Current 320 unit programs will need to become: 

  • a 4 year level 7 degree (320 unit, Bachelor degree), or 
  • a 4 year level 8 (320 unit, Bachelor Honours degree) or, 
  • different, changing to a level 7 (Bachelor degree) plus a level 9 (coursework Masters degree). This would mean a total of 360 units (240+120)
2. Draft Honours policy

This will now be updated to comply with AQF 2011 and to incorporate feedback from the:

  • Research Committee AQF Working Party; 
  • Faculties, on the initial Honours redraft; and 
  • a draft Teaching and Learning Committee description of capstones.

The updated draft Honours policy will then be forwarded to Academic Senate Committees for comment.

3. Masters (level 9)

The duration of coursework and research master degrees depends on the: 

  • qualifications of the student at admission to the masters degree; and the 
  • cognate area of study, if the same or different from their previous studies.

Shortest masters: 80 units following a level 8 qualification (Bachelor Honours, end on or embedded).

Longest masters: 160 units following a Bachelor degree (level 7) in a different cognate area.

4. Masters extended and an alternative title.

Graduates from three UoN disciplines can use the title 'doctor' if they complete an extended masters degree in: medicine, law or physiotherapy. The AQF Council has now released details of how other disciplines may also apply to do this. See the AQF website for details or contact Jackie McIntosh.

5. Pathways and Credit options

These are being developed, including a pathway from level 9 coursework (Masters), to level 10, doctorate.

Want to know more? Contact the Governance team or me.