Nomenclature of Sealed Awards
Document Currently Under Review
Current Status: Under Review - With Editor 6 November 2018
To provide a framework and guidance for the naming of awards within the University which embraces clarity, consistency and adequate levels of description. The nomenclature must recognise the level of award and be readily understood within the University sector and the broader community.
This Policy covers all Awards offered at the University:
| Certificate in | Diploma of |
|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in | Advanced Diploma of |
| Associate Degree of | |
| Bachelor of | |
| Graduate Diploma of | |
| Master of | |
| Doctor of |
| TERM | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| Double Degree | Two undergraduate degrees -the student is eligible to receive two testamurs, for example, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Computing |
| Joint Degree | One undergraduate degree (branching across two discipline areas) - the student is eligible to receive one testamur, for example, Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Technology |
| Double Award | One VET award and one undergraduate degree - the student is eligible to receive two testamurs, for example, Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Business (Office Administration) |
| Level | Defined under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) guidelines and corresponds to the level of study |
| Discipline – Generic | Refers to the broad area of study and for most institutions is historically based, eg Arts, Science, Applied Science, Computing or Business - by its very nature, it is general |
| Specialisation – Badge Specific | An appropriate qualifier to the preceding generic term. It is an optional appellation to a broad area of study, which may indicate a specific area of expertise. Such expertise is most likely attained when 50% of the units, which make up the award, are based in this discipline. Guidelines for appropriate badge specific terms are given in the style section of this document. * Where this Policy is at variance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), the AQTF will prevail. |
| Honours | Either: (1) an additional year of study following the completion of a 6 semester Bachelor degree, or (2) a specific sequence of studies within an 8 semester Bachelor degree |
| With Distinction | When academic performance is of a very high standard throughout specified three-year Bachelor degrees, a degree 'with Distinction' (not bracketed) may be granted. A grade point average of 6.5 and greater is required.[Refer to Regulation 5.1.2-Honours and Distinction]. |
Formulation of the nomenclature framework is informed by the following basic principles:
- conformance to the volume of learning established in the AQF;
- a readily recognisable format to all stakeholders;
- unambiguous terminology; and
- consistency across the University.
Nomenclature for awards will conform to the following:
Nomenclature for single awards will conform to the following pattern:
| Level | Discipline:Generic | Specialization: badge-specific in brackets (specialization is optional) | Honours – if appropriate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma | of | Arts | (Professional Writing and Editing) | |
| Certificate III | in | Plumbing and Gasfitting | ||
| Bachelor | of | Commerce | (Accounting) | (Honours) |
| Bachelor | of | Applied Science | (Honours) |
For joint degrees '/' separates the two components of the degree, and will conform to the following pattern:
| Level | Discipline : generic | Specialisation: badge-specific in brackets | Second discipline area | Specialisation: badge-specific in brackets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | Applied Science | (Human Movement)/ | Bachelor of Information Technology | (Professional Practice) |
- in the case of Certificates - the appropriate way to link Level to discipline is with 'in', for example, Certificate IV in Further Education. The use of 'of' is not appropriate. This is in accordance with AQF guidelines;
- in the cases of Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas – the appropriate way to link level to discipline is with 'of', for example, Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, Advanced Diploma of Horticulture;
- in all other awards - the appropriate way to link Level to discipline is with 'of', for example, Bachelor of Science. The use of 'in' is not appropriate in this context;
- the specialisation- badge-specific should appear in a single set of brackets. It should be brief, specific and informative. All major words are capitalised. There will be no punctuation within the brackets;
- postgraduate is one word;
- the word 'and' should be used rather than the ampersand '&'.
At the time of program approval, a standard abbreviation for the award must be tabled. In formulation of an appropriate abbreviation from the full award name, the following standards must be considered:
- there should be no spaces in the abbreviation;
- a mix of upper and lower case should be used to demark the individual words within the award title;
- the abbreviation must give sufficient information to be unambiguous; e.g. Engineering abbreviated to Eng and English abbreviated to Engl;
- full stops, should not be used when abbreviating;
- Joint degrees will contain a '/' between the two degree components;
- the brackets containing the specialisation will be included.
Some examples of appropriate abbreviations are given below.
| Bachelor of Arts | BA |
|---|---|
| Master of Science | MSc |
| Associate Degree of Network Systems | AssocDegNtwkSys |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) | BAppSc(Hons) |
| Doctor of Philosophy | PhD |
| Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate) | EdD |
At Initial Program Proposal stage [for Higher Education (HE)], the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic will ensure that the nomenclature is consistent with this Policy.
The Curriculum Committees (HE and VET) are responsible for providing advice and information as to appropriate nomenclature.
- Federation University Australia Act 2010
- Statutes and Regulations
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Second Edition January 2013
- Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011
- Approval of New Award Programs (Higher Education) Procedure
- Coursework Postgraduate Courses Procedure
- Review of Established Sealed Award Programs (Higher Education) Policy
- Fourth Year (Honours) Programs Procedure
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