Federation University courses are developed with clear learning outcomes, coherent structures and manageable workloads for students.

Through a cycle of development, implementation and evaluation, courses are customised and/or contextualised appropriately to meet the needs of the learner and reflect industry trends. Course development incorporates the development of academic knowledge, skills and graduate attributes/capabilities and clear evidenced based assessment outcomes.

Course designs include opportunities for students to access seamless educational pathways and networks that encourage and support lifelong learning.

The names of awards and post-nominals are proposed and confirmed at the course approval stage. The nomenclature must reflect the level of award and be readily understood within the University sector and the broader community.

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Research focus

Federation University has rigorous compliance requirements for research and research training governance. Courses that incorporate research elements undertake a rigorous planning and approval process, supported by robust ethics, data management and biosecurity procedures to maintain the highest level of academic integrity. Please see Research and Research Training Policy for further detail about research governance.

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Course delivery relies upon a solid foundation of academic scholarship, appropriate resource allocation and links to professional accreditation bodies (dependent upon the course of study).

Teaching and supervision that supports the development of learning is well organised and enhanced through the cyclical process of reflection, revision and improvement.

Through formalised agreements, Third Party Partner Providers deliver Federation University courses online, interstate and overseas.

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Third party delivery

University course quality processes are designed to create a continuous cycle of improvement, encouraging excellence and innovation in the design, delivery and assessment of courses as well as satisfying all regulatory requirements. Course reviews are a critical mechanism for understanding the ongoing needs of learners, measuring course performance and informing the scholarly activity required to maintain the quality and relevance of course offerings.

Courses are required to be reviewed every five years from the date of commencement (not date of approval), and involve internal and external perspectives, industry and student representation to ensure comprehensive input from key stakeholders. In special circumstances, such as newly emerging or rapidly changing fields of study, Academic Board may require a course to undergo a course review more frequently.

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Federation University provides appropriate knowledge, resources, and facilities to support the student learning journey. This includes, but is not limited to library facilities, information technology, study spaces, laboratories, simulated environments, and classrooms. These resources are appropriate in size, design, and availability to support students and ensure quality teaching and learning.

The diversity of our students is recognised and welcomed. Equal opportunities are offered to all students to succeed through reasonable adjustments for protected attributes under law, engagement, reflection and commitment to learning. Student wellbeing and safety provisions ensure that students have access to support services and grievance mechanisms.

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Academic staffing is guided by legislative and regulatory requirements and academic teaching staff must have the appropriate scholarship, skills and experience to teach at Federation University.

Approaches to teaching at the University are varied and adaptive to new demands in learning and will include effective use of appropriate technologies and innovation. Enhanced teaching is achieved through:

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The Co-operative education model incorporates a wide range of learning and teaching activities which integrates theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. Federation University includes Co-operative learning across a wide variety of courses. Placement opportunities are an important component of employability, engagement and skills development in a variety of Vocational Education Training (VET), VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) and the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and Higher Education learning and teaching environments, ensuring our graduates are fully prepared for entry into the workforce.  

The University may also provide opportunities for students to undertake voluntary placements, industry-based projects, simulated work experiences and other alternatives in the same field as their studies to further enhance the educational experience. Reasonable adjustments will be offered for protected attributes under law.

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Assessment is central to the vision, mission, culture, activities, practices and educational development of the University.

Assessment must:

Assessment seeks to assure all stakeholders that:

Moderation is a crucial mechanism for assessment quality assurance for coursework courses and as a collegial process by which Institutes, Schools and Centres develop, maintain, and monitor good practice in the assessment of students. Moderation contributes to the continuous improvement of assessment practice and to sharing good practice among colleagues.

The assessment of courses undertaken entirely by research is included in the Research and Research Training Policy.

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Credit, on the basis of prior formal learning or recognition of skills and knowledge, through the credit transfer process towards Federation University’s Higher Education awards, is available to students. Credit can accelerate student progress, completion and mobility, however, the integrity of Federation University awards are paramount and credit will not be granted if it would impair the integrity of the award or reduce a student’s likelihood of success in the course.

Credit arrangements for students are made on the basis of:

VET

RPL and Credit Transfer are alternative pathways to achieving an Australian Qualifications Framework AQF qualification. They are distinguished by the way they relate to learning achieved through recognition of equivalence of formal education and training (Credit Transfer) and assessment of an individual's relevant prior learning (RPL). By removing the need for duplication of learning, RPL and Credit Transfer encourages diverse and inclusive pathways to lifelong learning, formal qualifications and improved employment outcomes.

Granting of RPL and Credit Transfers in VET is established and maintained in accordance with:

The University implements an assessment system that ensures that VET assessment (including Recognition of Prior Learning) complies with the assessment requirements of the relevant training package or VET accredited programs conducted in accordance with the ASQA Principles of Assessment  and the Rules of Evidence.

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Academic integrity is essential to excellence in learning, teaching, research and scholarly endeavour. This policy applies to all Federation University students and staff (both current and former) including those at partner organisations as is consistent with our contractual arrangements. Federation University is committed to honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility in academe and promoting a culture of academic integrity for students and staff. Federation University also acknowledges that academic integrity is vital to employers and the community. 

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The University is committed to minimising any academic misconduct that conflicts with the principles of academic honesty and academic integrity and leads to an unfair advantage. The University undertakes preventative strategies to mitigate the risk of academic misconduct. Academic misconduct is concerned with all breaches of academic integrity, which includes (but is not limited to):

Where allegations of academic misconduct arise, hearings may be conducted through the Student Misconduct Committee. Where a student disagrees with a decision made by the Student Misconduct Committee, they have an opportunity to make an appeal to the Student Appeals Committee in accordance with the procedure.

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