• Section 1 - Background and Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Section 4 - Procedure
• Part A - Allowable Combinations
• Part B - Approval of Nested Qualifications
• Part C - Performance Hurdles
• Part D - Exiting with a Sub-Qualification
• Part E - International Students
• Part F - Testamurs
• Part G - Graduations
• Section 5 - Definitions
• Section 6 - Stakeholders

Section 1 - Background and Purpose

(1) The University will allow the creation of courses with nested sub-qualifications, to enable multiple entry and exit points for students.

(2) This Policy provides guidance where academic units wish to develop programs where one or more qualification category is fully articulated into one or more other qualification category to enable multiple entry and exit points.

(3) These Procedures are intended to facilitate the development of programs where one or more qualification category is fully articulated into another qualification category to enable multiple entry and exit points.

Section 2 - Scope

(4) Applies to:

1. All campuses
2. All courses

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(5) The University will allow the creation of courses with nested sub-qualifications to enable multiple entry and/or exit points for students.

(6) A separate testamur will be awarded for each completed qualification.

(7) International students enrolling in a nested sub-qualification and, upon completion, choosing to proceed to the higher award will need to apply to extend their Australian Government Visa.

Section 4 - Procedure

Part A - Allowable Combinations

Part B - Approval of Nested Qualifications

(8) Where all components of the nested combinations are existing approved awards, the approval process comprises completion of a Major Revision to Coursework Program template and subsequent submission of that document to the Coursework Committee for approval.

(9) If any part of the nested combination is a new award, in recognition of potential resource implications and formal recognition of the new award (i.e Academic Board approval), normal course approvals processes must be followed.

Part C - Performance Hurdles

(10) Colleges may impose a required standard of performance in a sub-qualification to qualify for entry to the higher level(s).

Part D - Exiting with a Sub-Qualification

(11) Students initially enrolled in the higher qualification may choose to exit the course and take the award for one of the sub-qualifications, as long as they have satisfied all requirements of the sub-qualification chosen.

Part E - International Students

(12) International students are issued an Australian Government Visa based on the course in which they initially enrol. Students who continue to a higher qualification in a group of nested qualifications must apply to extend their visa when enrolling in any additional component of the group of nested qualifications.

Part F - Testamurs

(13) A separate testamur will be awarded for each qualification for which a student has enrolled and completed.

(14) For example:

1. if a student enrols directly into a Bachelor qualification, they are eligible only to receive a testamur for the Bachelor qualification on completion.
2. If a student enrols initially in a nested Diploma course, and upon completion enrols into and completes the related Bachelor course, that student would receive testamurs for both awards.

Part G - Graduations

(15) A student may choose to participate in graduation ceremonies for each qualification. If choosing to attend only one ceremony at which more than one testamur will be awarded, normally a student will wear the colours of the highest academic qualification achieved.

Section 5 - Definitions

(16) For the purpose of this Policy and Procedure:

1. Articulation: The process of linking two or more qualifications together by creating/identifying the content relationships between them.
2. Nested qualifications: Where two or more courses of different levels in the qualifications framework are combined in a way where sub-qualification categories are fully articulated within the higher qualification categories.
3. Qualification: An award associated with a degree, diploma or course that comprises approved studies as prescribed by the Academic Board.
4. Qualification category: Each category has defined entry and exit standards, notional duration, credit point requirements and learning outcomes aligned to the AQF where appropriate.
5. Sub-qualification: the commencement or intermediary qualification forming the entry or exit point(s) of a group of nested qualifications.

Section 6 - Stakeholders