1. Purpose
1.1 This policy sets out the structure and requirements of undergraduate programs leading to the award of a bachelor honours degree by the University.
1.2 This policy must be read in conjunction with the linked Bachelor Honours Degree - Procedures.
2. Scope and application
2.1 This policy applies to all staff and decision-making bodies involved in the development, approval and delivery of programs leading to the award of a bachelor honours degree.
2.2 This policy also applies to undergraduate students enrolling in a program leading to the award of a bachelor honours degree.
3. Definitions
3.1 Refer to the University’s Glossary of Terms for definitions as they specifically relate to policy documents.
Honours Coordinator means a member of academic staff who administers an Honours program or programs.
Honours Supervisor means a member of academic staff who supervises an honours student’s research.
4. Aims of bachelor honours degrees
4.1 Bachelor honours degrees qualify undergraduate students who apply a body of knowledge in a specific context to undertake professional work and serves as a pathway for research and further learning.
4.2 Bachelor honours degrees can:
(a) provide an undergraduate pathway to Higher Degree by Research (HDR) studies;
(b) provide an advantaged pathway to professional employment in highly competitive graduate positions; and
(c) meet professional accreditation requirements.
4.3 Honours program structures serve the particular needs of disciplinary or professional training.
5. Types of bachelor honours degrees
5.1 There are 2 types of bachelor honours degrees programs offered at the University:
(a) End-on Honours – a program of 96 units of AQF Level 8 studies, usually taken as one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) after having satisfied the requirements for the award of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree ; and
(b) Embedded Honours (Four Year) – a bachelor program of 4 (or more) years (at least 384 units) that meets the AQF Level 8 qualification requirements across the whole of the program.
6. Structure of programs
6.1 The structure and content of bachelor honours degrees aligns with the Knowledge, Skills, Application of Knowledge and Skills and Volume of Learning as described in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) – AQF Level 8.
6.2 Bachelor honours programs must include:
(a) Advanced disciplinary knowledge: This includes disciplinary study at AQF level 8, in which the level of learning expected of bachelor honours students is greater than that of students completing an ordinary bachelor degree. It may or may not involve coursework units;
(b) Research training: This includes research methodology, theory development and material about research practice, as well as practice in the formulation of research proposals, in research techniques, and in research ethics. There is a consistent theme of a capacity to engage in higher-level discipline problem-solving (relative to an AQF level 7 bachelor degree); and
(c) A substantial independent research thesis or project: This is of at least 24 units where students take significant autonomy for planning and conducting research, leading to an extended piece of work, presented in the form of:
(i) a thesis or dissertation;
(ii) research paper and literature review; or
(iii) manuscript and associated documentation, project, or creative work and exegesis.
6.3 The specifications of these components and their assessment is kept within the conventions and standards of scholarship in the relevant discipline.
7. Honours results classification
7.1 Bachelor honours degrees can be awarded with a result classification of:
(a) Honours Class I;
(b) Honours Class IIA;
(c) Honours Class IIB; and
(d) Honours Class III or Honours unclassified.
7.2 These result classifications are awarded based on standard percentage ranges as detailed in Table 1: Standard percentage ranges for honours classification.
Table 1: Standard percentage ranges for honours classification
Standard percentage ranges for honours classifications | End-on Honours program | Embedded Honours (Differentiated Pathway) | Embedded Honours (Four Year) |
80% - 100% | Honours Class I | Honours Class I | Honours Class I |
70% - 79% | Honours Class IIA | Honours Class IIA | Honours Class IIA |
60% - 69% | Honours Class IIB | Honours Class IIB | Honours Class IIB |
50% - 59% | Honours Class III | Honours Class III | Honours, unclassified |
Less than 49.5% | Honours degree not awarded | Honours degree not awarded | Honours degree not awarded |
7.3 At the time of accreditation, the program information must identify the courses used for the calculation of the honours classification, and the weightings for each of those courses.
8. Authorities and responsibilities
8.1 As the Approval Authority, Academic Board approves this policy in accordance with the University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998 (Qld).
8.2 As the Responsible Executive Member the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) can approve procedures and guidelines to operationalise this policy. All procedures and guidelines must be aligned to the provisions of this policy.
8.3 As the Designated Officer the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) can approve associated documents to support the application of this policy. All associated documents must be aligned to the provisions of the policy.
8.4 This policy operates from the last amended date, all previous iterations of policy documents on bachelor honours degrees are replaced and have no further operation from this date.
8.5 All records relating to the University’s approach to bachelor honours degrees must be stored and managed in accordance with the Records Management - Procedures.
8.6 This policy must be maintained in accordance with the University Policy Documents - Procedures and reviewed on a shortened 2-year policy review cycle.
8.7 Any exception to this policy to enable a more appropriate result must be approved in accordance with the University Policy Documents - Procedures prior to deviation from the policy.
8.8 Refer to Schedule C of the Delegations Manual in relation to the approved delegations detailed within this policy.
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