Results in examinations are graded into high distinction, distinction, credit, pass division I, pass division II, pass grade only and fail grades.
A pass division II may be awarded by the board of examiners and may be counted towards the degree, but is not accepted as a prerequisite for a later year subject in the same discipline. A pass division II may only be awarded in first-year subjects, and students are not permitted more than one division II pass.
Examination timetables will be sent six weeks before the scheduled examination period to each student undertaking a subject which has an examination. Timetables should be checked carefully and any clashes reported to student administration immediately.
Students will receive a list of approved examination centres with their timetable, and must inform student administration immediately of the centre at which they wish to sit for the examination, and the subjects for which an examination is required.
A student will need to demonstrate an abnormal difficulty in attending an approved centre before a request to sit at an alternative centre will be considered.
Examination arrangements are quite complex and any student who fails to supply the requested examination details within the specified time may not be permitted to attend for examination.
Special consideration
Students whose academic performance has been adversely affected by illness or other serious cause (and who wish to have such illness or cause taken into account in the assessment of their work) should apply with supporting evidence (such as a doctor's certificate) to the Student Administration Office before the examination period begins in any semester.
If performance in an examination is adversely affected by causes beyond a student's control, an application to the Student Administration Office for special consideration must be made within forty-eight hours after the last examination scheduled for the candidate for the semester concerned.
Any student who is unable to sit an examination on the date specified must provide supporting documentation to the subject adviser. The subject adviser has discretionary powers in coordinating an alternative time if this is deemed to be appropriate.
The progress of a student
Full-time students normally take four subjects a semester, or eight subjects each year, in order to complete the degree in three years. Part-time and distance education students take two subjects a semester, or four subjects each year, and normally complete the degree in six years. Students wishing to vary this workload in any way may only do so with the permission of the chairperson of the school board (or the chairperson's nominee). Any requests for variation must be lodged in writing with Student Administration, together with the reasons for the request. Permission to vary the normal study load will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and students with a reduced workload may have certain conditions attached to approval of their re-enrolment.
On-campus students are expected to attend specified lectures and tutorials, participate in discussions and to submit written work for assessment. Participation in classes is considered to be an important component of each subject, and often requires work additional to attendance at formal lectures and tutorials.
Distance education students are provided with extensive printed materials for each subject, and are required to utilise these fully by maintaining weekly reading schedules. Weekend school classes are offered in many subjects, and provide an opportunity for additional contact and instruction. In some subjects, attendance at some weekend schools is compulsory. Students are also expected to submit written work which will then be assessed.
Assessment may be based on a student's performance in classwork, assignments throughout the semester, a formal end-of-semester examination or any combination of all three. The board of examiners and the school board will review the progress of all students enrolled in Humanities and Social Science courses at least once during the course of each semester.
Subsequently, students may be required to discuss their progress and/or continuation with staff of the school, or to make an appropriate written submission if necessary.
Because of demand for places students should note that continued enrolment depends on satisfactory completion of a normal coursework load. Applications for re-enrolment must be received by the due date each year.
Any variations to the regulations must be approved by the head of school (or the head's nominee).
Unsatisfactory progress - exclusion
A full-time or part-time/distance education student who does not pass a given proportion of the subjects for which he or she is enrolled will be liable for exclusion from the school for the following year. No decision will be taken to exclude a student until the student has been given an opportunity to present a case to the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee. The grounds for exclusion are (1) failing the same subject twice; (2) failing more than half the subjects attempted in the last two years of study; (3) failing all subjects attempted in one semester of study; (4) failing to meet any previously prescribed conditions, restrictions or limitations.
Leave of absence
Students with a good course record who present a valid reason will normally be granted leave of absence once only for up to twelve months. Students with a poor course record and/or not undertaking a full study load, ie eight subjects internally or four subjects by distance education per year, may be required to reapply for entry. Applications must be made in writing, together with reasons and any supporting documentation, to Student Administration.
Student advisers
The chief officer of the school is the head of school. The head of school is a professor who chairs meetings of the school board. The head of school has responsibility for all issues related to staffing, finance, research and student matters, some of which may be delegated to other senior academic staff members.
The school administrative officers provide administrative support to the school board, provide information on policy and planning matters, and are available to give advice to higher degree students. The administrative officer (Arts) provides advice to students in the Bachelor of Arts (Humanities and Social Sciences), the Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Communication), the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities), Graduate Diploma of Arts (Humanities and Social Sciences) and Graduate Certificate of Arts (Humanities and Social Sciences) on the planning of their courses or changes to their courses, while similar advice is provided to students in the Associate Diploma of Arts (Social Welfare), Bachelor of Social Welfare and the Associate Diploma of Arts (Koorie Studies) by the administrative officer (Social Welfare/Koorie Studies). The administrative officer (assisting the head of school) may be contacted for information about the fourth-year honours program.
Any students wishing to see the head of school or any of the administrative officers is normally able to do so at fairly short notice. Inquiries should be made at the school office.