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Awarding With Distinction Guideline

This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) The University will award relevant AQF level 7 Bachelor programs and AQF level 9 Masters Coursework and Masters Extended programs as ordinary degrees except where students achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 6.0 based on all studies undertaken in the program, when the degree may be awarded ‘with Distinction’.

(2) This guideline must be read in conjunction with the Awards and Graduation Policy, Bachelor (240) Awards and Programs Schedule, Masters Coursework (160, 120, 80) Awards and Programs Schedule and the Masters Extended (240) Awards and Programs Schedule.

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Section 2 - Intent

(3) This guideline defines the circumstances by which students are deemed eligible and which units are utilised in the calculation of the GPA for the purpose of awarding a degree ‘with Distinction’.

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Section 3 - Guidelines

Awarding a degree ‘with Distinction’

(4) To qualify for the degree a student must satisfactorily complete a program of study approved by the Program and Course Approval Committee on behalf of Academic Senate.

(5) The degree will be awarded as an ordinary degree, or the degree may be awarded 'with Distinction' to those students who gain a minimum GPA of 6.0 based on all studies undertaken in the program, unless otherwise specified in clauses 9 and 10.

Determining Eligibility

(6) In determining a student's eligibility to be awarded their degree ‘with Distinction’, students must:

  1. meet all program requirements and be eligible to be awarded an ordinary degree;  
  2. complete at least 50 per cent of their program at The University of Newcastle; and
  3. achieve a minimum GPA of 6.0 based on all studies undertaken in the program.

Calculation of the GPA

(7) A Cumulative GPA will be calculated for each graduating student to determine their eligibility to be awarded the degree ‘with Distinction’ as per the Grade Point Average Calculation Guideline.

Exceptions

(8) Students who complete a degree under an approved articulation arrangement where less than 50 per cent of their units are completed at the University, may be eligible to be awarded their degree ‘with Distinction’ provided they achieve a minimum GPA of 6.0 based on all studies undertaken in the program. These include:

  1. Bachelor of Industrial Design

Exclusions – AQF(2013) Compliant programs

(9) The below listed programs are not eligible to be awarded ‘with Distinction’.

  1. All AQF level 5 Diploma programs;
  2. All AQF level 8 Bachelor Honours programs;
  3. All AQF level 8 Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programs;
  4. All AQF level 9 Masters by Research programs; and
  5. All AQF level 10 Doctoral Degrees programs.

(10) The award of 'with Distinction' for the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program (JMP) is to be made in accordance with the Bachelor of Medicine – Joint Medical Program (JMP) Award of Bachelor of Medicine with Distinction Guideline.

Exclusions – Pre-AQF(2013) programs

(11) The below listed programs are not eligible to be awarded ‘with Distinction’.

  1. Bachelor of Engineering

(12) The award of 'with Distinction' for the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program (JMP) is to be made in accordance with the Bachelor of Medicine – Joint Medical Program (JMP) Award of Bachelor of Medicine with Distinction Guideline.

(13) Professional Doctorate programs are not eligible to be awarded 'with Distinction'.