1. Purpose

1.1 This policy provides a broad framework and a set of principles for determining admission, enrolment and graduation for coursework programs of the University.

1.2 This policy must be read in conjunction with the Admissions – Procedures, Enrolments and Graduation – Procedures and Bachelor Honours Degree – Procedures.

2. Scope and application

2.1 This policy applies to students enrolled in, or proposing to enrol in, coursework programs of the University, as well as all staff and decision-making bodies involved in the promotion and delivery of coursework programs.

2.2 The policy does not apply to higher degree by research (HDR) programs, except in relation to the determination of posthumous and aegrotat awards.

3. Definitions

Please refer to the University’s Glossary of Terms for policies and procedures. Terms and definitions identified below are specific to this policy and are critical to its effectiveness:

Non-award program means that that the program of study does not, of itself, automatically lead to the award of a degree.

Unit means the numerical value associated with a course or program.

Offer means the formal notification from the University or the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre on behalf of the University, offering an applicant a place in a nominated program under specified conditions, such as location, mode of study, whether the offer is for a Commonwealth supported place, a domestic fee-paying place or an international student place.

Quota means the number of places available for students to commence study in a particular study period.

4. Policy statement

4.1 This policy determines the context for admission and enrolment at the University and when a student is eligibility to graduate.

5. Principles

5.1 The University’s Admissions, Enrolments and Graduation – Academic Policy and practices are designed to put into effect the following principles:

(a) the University is committed to enabling participation and to fostering fair and attainable opportunities for applicants from all backgrounds;

(b) admission offers are made to applicants who are deemed to have the background and abilities to have a reasonable expectation of success in the program to which they are made an offer;

(c) admission offers are made broadly on merit and based on demonstrated achievement, especially academic achievement, but can also take account of other factors such as demonstrated skills, commitment, employment history and specific achievements related to particular fields of endeavour;

(d) the University can provide entry pathways for admission or mechanisms to facilitate access of applicants from under-represented community groups;

(e) in support of the University’s commitment to regional engagement, in its admissions, the University seeks to engage with and serve the residents of the regions in which the University is located;

(f) the University can seek to achieve other strategic objectives through its admissions; and

(g) where the number of places in a program is limited by a quota, places are offered in order of merit of applicants.

5.2 The University has final discretion on admitting applicants and reserves the right to decline admission for any reason it deems appropriate, including consideration of any risk the applicant may pose to students, staff, themselves, or the broader University community.

5.3 Admission to the University’s programs and ongoing enrolment is consistent with the current versions of the following documents, including guidelines contained within:

(a) Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015; and

(b) National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018

5.4 Admission are also consistent with the assessment of any overseas qualification by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) or as documented in current Country Education Profiles issued by Australian Education International or grades awarded under the European Credit Transfer System for completed courses.

5.5 To have a current enrolment status, a student shall have:

(a) accepted an offer of admission to a program and shall have completed the enrolment procedures prescribed by the University;

(b) enrolled in a set of courses that are consistent with the program requirements, and consistent with the specific conditions of the student’s admission including, where specified, location of study, attendance type, attendance mode, and major area of study;

(c) paid such fees and charges as the University may require to be paid as a condition of enrolment, by the time the University requires such fees and charges to be paid;

(d) fulfilled the conditions prescribed for Commonwealth supported students, in the case of a student admitted to a program as a Commonwealth supported student;

(e) completed the Student Declaration, thereby agreeing to abide by the policies and procedures of the University; and

(f) completed any other procedures which can be required as a condition of enrolment.

5.6 Once the student has completed the enrolment requirements for a teaching period, the student is deemed to be currently enrolled until one of the following events occurs:

(a) the student notifies the University that they are discontinuing enrolment in the program;

(b) the student has no valid course enrolment and is not on an approved leave of absence in two successive study periods, in which case the student is deemed to have terminated their study and will have their program discontinued by the University;

(c) the University terminates the student's enrolment or excludes the student in accordance with the provisions of any policy or requirement of the University; and

(d) the student has completed all requirements of a program and is eligible to graduate.

5.7 A student is eligible to graduate upon completion of the requirements of the program in which they are enrolled. This is achieved by:

(a) successfully completing all of the courses that comprise the program structure through either achieving a passing grade or by being awarded credit; and

(b) satisfying any other conditions specified as part of the program requirements.

6. Authorities and responsibilities

6.1 As the Approval Authority, Academic Board approves this policy in accordance with the University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998 (Qld).

6.2 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 compatible with the provisions of this policy.

6.3 As the Designated Officer the Academic Registrar and Director, Student Services can approve associated documents to support the application of this policy. All associated documents must be compatible with the provisions of the policy.

6.4 This policy operates from the last amended date, with all previous iterations of policies on admissions, enrolments and graduation are replaced and no longer operating from this date.

6.5 All records relating to admissions, enrolments and graduation must be stored and managed in accordance with the Records Management - Procedures.

6.6 This policy must be maintained in accordance with the University Policy Documents – Procedures and reviewed on a standard 5-year policy review cycle.

6.7 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.

6.8 Refer to Schedule C of the Delegations Manual in relation to the approved delegations detailed within this policy.

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