Award, Course, Double Degree, Double Major, Joint Degree, Major, Qualification, Second and Subsequent Degree, Unit Set

This policy outlines the requirements students must meet to be awarded a double degree, second or subsequent degree, double major or joint degree. Murdoch University is committed to providing students with the opportunity to undertake study as appropriate to their level of academic strength and interest and these types of awards offer students the possibility to study a combination of disciplines. These awards should meet the needs of graduates and employers. Double degrees, second or subsequent degrees, double majors and joint degrees each have unique marketing and administrative requirements.

Award

An award is granted to a student who has completed the requirements of the course in which they were enrolled, and includes all degrees, certificates and diplomas awarded by the University.

Course/Degree

A combination of coherent units approved by Academic Council that leads to a particular qualification. The requirements of an undergraduate course includes the requirements of the award plus the requirements of the major.

Double degree

A double degree comprises two individually approved courses of the student’s choice undertaken concurrently. The requirements for each course and major must be completed. Students receive two testamurs. A joint degree taken with another degree can be combined for a student to be awarded a double degree.

Double major

A double major comprises two separately approved majors undertaken while the student is enrolled in a single course. Where the majors lead to different awards, the qualification that appears on the testamur is the course in which the student is enrolled and any majors. The requirements of the course in which the student is enrolled and the requirements of each major must be completed.

Joint degree

A joint degree comprises a combination of two individually approved courses into a new single course. A joint undergraduate degree consists of one foundation unit and two majors. The joint degree award will include both component course qualifications. Joint degrees are undertaken concurrently.

Major

In undergraduate level courses, a grouping of prescribed, academically coherent units approved by Academic Council, which prescribes at least 24 Part II points and at most 12 Part I points.

Qualification

The title of the degree granted to a student who has completed the requirements of their chosen course.

Second or Subsequent Degree

A second or subsequent degree comprises two individually approved courses of the student’s choice undertaken sequentially. The requirements for each course and major must be completed. Students receive two testamurs.

Unit set

Majors, minors and other approved groupings of units.

To provide staff, students and the community with information and guidelines on double degrees, second and subsequent degrees, double majors and joint degrees.

1.

Double degrees

1.1

A double degree comprises two separately approved courses, of a student’s choice. To be awarded a double degree students must complete the requirement of each undergraduate course and major. There will be a reduction in the points requirements for the second degree as students are required to complete an approved course of at least 24 points at Part II level. For a 72 point degree students would be required to complete a minimum of 12 points of Part II units; for a 96 point degree students would be required to complete a minimum of 16 points of Part II units, from the relevant or a related area to be eligible for the award of an additional bachelor degree. Only one foundation unit is permitted to be taken for credit.

1.2

Students must complete their double degree within the student learning entitlement period provided by the Federal government. Students who study beyond the allocated time limit may be required to pay fees, unless the course is recognised by the Commonwealth government and the student has not already used part of their entitlement.

1.3

A student may choose to undertake an honours year in either discipline.

1.4

For students who complete requirements for two degrees the Division of Academic Affairs recommends the student for graduation in the two degrees as appropriate. On completion of a double degree students receive two testamurs.

1.5

When a student decides not to complete a double degree they will graduate with a single degree. Students must complete the course requirements of the single degree to graduate.

2.1

A second degree comprises a second separately approved course of a student’s choice. To be awarded a second degree students must complete the requirement of each undergraduate course. There may be a reduction in the points requirements of the second degree as students are required to complete an approved course of at least 24 points at Part II level, and, of those 12 points of Part II units from the relevant or a related area to be eligible for the award of an additional bachelor degree. Only one foundation unit is permitted to be taken for credit.

2.2

When a student completes one degree they can apply for re-admission and gain credit/advanced standing towards the second degree.

2.3

A student may choose to undertake an honours year in either discipline.

2.4

In order to be eligible for HECS places students must complete their second degree within the student learning entitlement period provided by the Federal government. Students who study beyond the allocated time limit may be required to pay fees, unless the course is recognised by the Commonwealth government and the student has not already used part of their entitlement.

2.5

On completion of a second degree students receive a second testamur.

3.1

A double major comprises two separately approved majors undertaken while the student is enrolled in a single course.

3.2

To obtain a double major students must complete the requirements of the course they are enrolled in as well as the requirements of each major. Only one foundation unit is permitted to be taken for credit.

3.3

Where units can be counted towards the requirements of both majors, a student must complete at least 12 points of part II core and specified elective units from each major, which are not counted towards the other major.

3.4

A student may choose to undertake an honours year in either discipline.

3.5

On completion of the course and the requirements of both majors students receive a single testamur.

3.6

Students must complete their double major within the student learning entitlement period provided by the Federal government. Students who study beyond the allocated time limit may be required to pay fees, unless the course is recognised by the Commonwealth government and the student has not already used part of their entitlement.

3.7

Where majors can be awarded under different awards students can nominate which major they want to have as their award

3.8

Students who opt to graduate with only one of the two majors and then want to continue with the second major, must apply for re-admission.

4.

Joint degrees

4.1

Joint degrees combine two separately approved courses into a new specifically approved single course. Undergraduate joint degrees include one foundation unit and two majors.

4.2

Joint degrees may have some reduction in the total points otherwise required to obtain the two degrees.

4.3

Proposals for new joint degrees are subject to the usual academic planning requirements and procedures. This includes approval by the relevant Divisional Board, Academic Policy Committee and Academic Council.

4.4

A student may choose to undertake an honours year in either discipline.

4.5

Students must complete their joint degree within the student learning entitlement period provided by the Federal government. Students who study beyond the allocated time limit may be required to pay fees, unless the course is recognised by the Commonwealth government and the student has not already used part of their entitlement.

4.6

On completion of the joint degree course students receive two testamurs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible Officer

Secretary Academic Council

Implementation Officers

Executive Deans

Heads of Schools

Manager Division of Academic Affairs

Program Chairs

Information Contact Officer

Secretary Academic Council

RELATED MATERIALS / POLICIES:

Degree Nomenclature and Testamurs Policy

Transfer of Students between Courses, Majors, Campuses and Student Designation policy

Rules on Credit and Exemptions

REVISION HISTORY:

Approved / Amended / Rescinded

Date

Committee

Resolution Number

Rescinded

21 July 2004

Academic Council

AC/46/1997 (a)