We recognise that there are many factors that can impact your results and are committed to supporting students who experience academic or personal challenges in completing their studies.
We monitor your academic performance to ensure you are moving toward successful completion of your program requirements, and to identify and support students who are at risk of not meeting these requirements.
If you’ve received a MAP notification, it’s because we’ve identified that you may need additional academic advice or support with your learning and we want to ensure you can get this as early as possible.
Monitoring Academic Progress
The process is divided into three stages: early intervention; monitored enrolment; and consideration for exclusion.
Academic progress and unsatisfactory performance is managed under the University’s Monitoring Academic Progress and Exclusion - Academic Policy and Procedures.
The University measures your progress based on the grades you achieve for individual courses, and your overall Grade Point Average (GPA). If you fail one or more courses in a given study period you will receive a MAP Stage 1 notification.
At this stage, you are encouraged to reflect on what might have impacted your studies, and to develop a plan to improve your results in future study periods. The Student Success team can help you do this.
You will need to develop an Academic Improvement Plan that will help you set clear goals and actions to improve your academic performance. This may include:
- participating in academic skills programs
- participating in an additional tutorial or study group
- reducing your study load
- participating in individual case management
- attending counselling
- receiving assistance with personal issues which are influencing progress.
MAP Stage 2 identifies students who are at risk of making unsatisfactory academic progress.
You will be placed on monitored enrolment for the upcoming study period if:
You will need to reflect on what might have impacted your studies and develop an Academic Improvement Plan that will help you set clear goals and actions to improve your academic performance. This may include:
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participating in academic skills programs
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participating in an additional tutorial or study group
- reducing your study load
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participating in individual case management
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attending counselling
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receiving assistance with personal issues which are influencing progress.
The Student Success team can assist you with developing your plan. You may also be required to meet with a USC staff member to discuss your Academic Improvement Plan.
Some restrictions may be placed on your re-enrolment, especially if you have failed a WIL course. These may include a requirement to meet with your School to finalise your Academic Improvement Plan, restrictions on enrolment in further WIL courses and practical competency assessments.
If your performance does not improve during a period of monitored enrolment, or you meet other MAP Stage 3 criteria relating to your unsatisfactory progress, you may be considered for exclusion from the University.
MAP Stage 3 criteria are:
If you are identified for exclusion, you will be invited to 'Show Cause’ as to why you should be allowed to continue your studies.
If you are excluded, you will not be able to enrol in courses (typically for a period of 12 months) and will need to apply for readmission if you wish to continue your studies in future. Re-admission to your program (or any other offered by this University) is not guaranteed.
You have the right to ‘show cause’ against exclusion, to explain why you should not be excluded. To do this, you will need to submit a Show Cause form outlining the reasons for your unsatisfactory performance, the actions you have taken to improve your performance, and other relevant information. You will be required to demonstrate your progress against the Academic Improvement Plan you developed previously and you may need to supply supporting documentation, for example, medical certificates, evidence of extenuating circumstances, etc.
Refer to the Show Cause guide to assist with your response. There is also a MAP Stage 3 Academic Appeals Kit available on the Student Guild website. Guidance to prepare your Show Cause response can also be provided through Advocacy support from the Student Guild. Responding to the show cause is considered to be equivalent to seeking a review of the decision to exclude you, as per Stage 2 of the Student Grievance Resolution - Governing Policy.
You must submit your show cause to Student Central by the date advised in your show cause notification.
Help with academic progress
If you are experiencing difficulties with your studies, for any reason, ask for help early.
There are a range of services available to support you through your studies. We even have a special team dedicated to helping you find the right support for your individual circumstances – the Student Success team. Explore the support services available, or if you’re not sure where to start, book an appointment with a Student Success Adviser.
Pass rate requirements for domestic students
In addition to UniSC’s MAP processes, it is an Australian Government requirement that all domestic students who commenced their program from 2022 onwards meet minimum pass rate requirements in that program to remain eligible for access to Commonwealth Assistance. Students who do not meet the pass rate requirements are considered by the Government to have a ‘low completion rate’. Being identified for MAP may mean you are at risk of having a low completion rate. For more information, please visit pass rate requirements.
Information for international students
If you are a Student visa holder, you must complete your program by the end date listed on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). If you fail a course, you are at risk of not being able to complete your program by your CoE end date. It is important that you discuss your study plan with Student Central and the implications for your Student visa with USC International.
If you are excluded from your studies, your eligibility for your current and any future Student visas may be affected. In the case of exclusion, the University will cancel your enrolment and notify the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA).
International students should seek clarification on how the monitored enrolment may affect their visa, by contacting USC International and DOHA.
