If a faculty proposes to amend the program requirements of an existing program in such a way that may impede continuing students from meeting those requirements, then, in addition to Section 3.1, the faculty must specify whether continuing students enrolled in the program—
If a Faculty proposes to amend the structure and/or admission, enrolment or completion requirements for an existing suite of shorter form credential modules, in addition to Section 3.1, the Faculty must specify whether continuing students enrolled in the suite—
Refer to Section 3.2 on the principles for transition arrangements.
Refer to Section 3.2 on the principles for transition and teach-out arrangements, and Section 3.2.1 for transfer of students from an undergraduate program to a postgraduate program.
The Faculty’s response to CAPP’s recommendation will then be included in the submission provided to the relevant decision-maker as set out in section 4.0 Roles and Responsibilites.
The Executive Dean or Associate Dean (Academic) may consult the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) to determine if a proposal under clause 2 should be considered by CAPP.
In circumstances where a program or suite of shorter form credential modules is changed or discontinued, the faculty will either put in place appropriate arrangements to ensure students who have commenced the program or suite are given a reasonable opportunity to finish it or will make alternative provisions.
The Provost recommends the strategic and financial aspects of new and major program initiatives before more detailed academic aspects of the programs are considered by the Committee for Academic Programs Policy and the Academic Board (where applicable).
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The Associate Dean (Academic) oversees quality assurance processes in the Faculty and coordinating units in consultation with the Executive Dean and the Heads of Coordinating Units.
4.5.1 Coordinating Units
The Head of the Coordinating Unit is responsible to the Executive Dean for the delivery and administration of courses, shorter form credentials and stand-alone learning modules.
4.6 Academic Registrar
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The Academic Registrar is responsible for the University's program, course and shorter form credential catalogues and approves new and amended discipline descriptors.
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The Academic Registrar approves applications for variations to the Academic Calendar and courses to be offered in non-standard teaching periods.
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Where a program is to be made available to international students, the Academic Registrar is responsible for registering the program in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to meet the provisions of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000.
5.0 Monitoring, Review and Assurance
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Academic Policy and Programs is responsible for monitoring the academic program approval process, the approval process of new and amended suites of shorter form credential modules and administering the curriculum management system and the Program Bulletin.
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The Academic Board, through CAPP, is responsible for monitoring university-wide compliance with this procedure for its effectiveness and ongoing relevance with regard to UQ’s strategic objectives.
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Coordinating Units and Faculties are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of their internal processes and alignment with this procedure.
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The Academic Registrar will review this procedure as required.
6.0 Recording and Reporting
6.1 Records
The records of all proposals initiated through this procedure shall be managed in accordance with the Information Management Policy.
6.2 Reports
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The President of the Academic Board reports annually to the Senate on program development proposals referred through the academic approval process and provides regular reports to the Vice-Chancellor and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) following each Board meeting.
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The Academic Registrar will provide reports relating to the program approval process to members of the University Senior Executive Team and the President of the Academic Board, as required.
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Planning and Business Intelligence will make reports on the program approval process and applicable performance metrics available to unit leaders as required.
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The Coordinating Units will provide reports to the Faculty as required.
7.0 Appendix
7.1 Definitions, Terms, Acronyms
Building block – see Section 2.4 of the Program Design Policy.
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) – the Australian Government register that lists all Australian education providers offering programs to people studying in Australia on student visas and the programs offered.
Coordinating Unit – the organisational unit that administers the course, typically a School or Institute.
Course – a distinct unit of study within a program, for which a grade is given. Each course is identified by its alphanumeric code, a title and a fixed unit value.
Dual program – a sequence of study under one set of program requirements that leads to two awards conferred simultaneously on separate testamurs.
Foundation Program – a program offered by UQ College that prepares international students for study at UQ. Graduate of the Foundation Program are guaranteed admission to a range of UQ programs, provided requirements including quota restrictions, grade point average, subject prerequisite and English language proficiency are met.
Integrated Program – a sequence of study under one set of program requirements that leads to a combination of awards on a single testamur.
Joint degree programs - programs for which students are awarded a UQ degree (on the basis of study at UQ and credit for study undertaken at the partner institution) and receive an award from the partner institution (based on study at the partnership institution and credit for study undertaken at UQ). The arrangements for awarding the degree may include:
• Joint award of a degree: Each institution awards a degree for the same program of work. An appropriate notation is made to this effect on the UQ testamur and is clearly specified in the agreement between UQ and the partner institution.
• Dual badging: The University (or another institution) awarding the degree recognises the involvement of the partner institution by inclusion of their crest etc. on the testamur.
Non-award study – where a student is enrolled to study one or more courses without being admitted to a program which leads to an award of this University.
Plan – a prescribed combination of courses within a program being either a field of study, major, extended major, specialisation, minor or extended minor.
Program – a sequence of study leading to the award of a qualification such as an undergraduate degree or diploma, and/or postgraduate coursework qualification.
Program Bulletin – provides staff-only access to development resources for courses, programs, plans and shorter form credentials.
Program requirements – for the purpose of this procedure, program requirements means the program structure (e.g., types and sizes of building blocks used), the courses to be taken to complete the program, and any specific conditions of the program set out in the additional rules, including enrolment and progression requirements.
Shorter form credential – a distinct unit of study with academically assessed learning outcomes, which is generally offered outside an award program and is usually completed in a short time frame. A shorter form credential may be structured as a single module (e.g. a MOOC), or as a suite of combined modules resulting in a larger credential (e.g. a MicroMasters®).
Stand-alone learning module – a university-led structured learning endeavour for which participants are not enrolled in a UQ course. Frequently, emphasis is placed on meeting the continuing professional development needs of individuals newly entering a field, returning to a field after a time of non-practice, maintaining currency, or in need of upgrading or updating skills. Stand-alone learning modules are not normally configured in SI-net.
Transnational education - means the marketing, enrolment processes and delivery of programs of study in a country other than Australia by UQ, where delivery includes a face-to-face component, regardless of whether or not the education and/or training leads to a UQ award.
Units – the value of an individual course which contributes to the total unit requirement of a program. 16 units equals 1 EFTSL – the equivalent full-time study load for a year.
7.2 Related Policies and Procedures
See Document Web Links.
7.3 Relevant Legislation and Information
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (Cth)
Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015
Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (Cth)
National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)