Academic progression is how we ensure that you are on track and passing the units you need to graduate. It helps you better understand your progress over the duration of your course and which actions you may need to take to ensure you keep progressing through your course requirements.
The diagram below gives an overview of the Academic Progression statuses.
Figure 1 - Academic Progression statuses
Your academic progression is monitored over the duration of your course, starting from your 2022-unit enrolments. A completion rate will be calculated using the number of units you have successfully completed versus the number of units you have attempted. Your completion rate will determine which Academic Progression status you fall into. Different statuses such as satisfactory, precautionary notification and progression intervention will be indicated by different colours and there will be associated actions to be taken to get back on track if you have or are approaching a low completion rate (50% or less).
| Status | Colour | Completion Rate | Actions to get back on track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | Green | Greater than 75% | No actions needed; you are doing well |
| Precautionary Notification | Light Green | Between 62.6 and 74.9% | Information about suggested support services will be provided |
| Progression Intervention | Amber | Between 50 and 62.5% | Interview with an Academic Chair and an Academic Performance Plan to follow |
| Unsatisfactory | Red | Between 20 and 49.9% | Transfer to another suitable course or accept suspension for a semester or trimester depending on your course |
| Not permitted to re-enrol | Purple | Less than 20% | Not able to re-enrol in the same course for 1 year. Need to re-apply for admission into same or another course. Genuine Student (GS) check to be performed again. |
| Event | Strategy | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or more failed units in first 4 attempted units | Early Intervention | Notification to meet with a Student Success Advisor and information about support services |
| One or more failed units in first 8 attempted units | Other Early Intervention | Notification about support services available and accessibility to Student Success Advisors |
The Student Progression Policy and Procedure contain more information.
Frequently asked questions
The academic progression process impacts ALL students. However, the consequences of not performing satisfactorily will be different for domestic and international students in certain cases.
This academic progression model was introduced in line with the Job-Ready Graduates (JRG) requirements. In 2023 students accessing a Commonwealth Supported Place and/or HELP loans, were required to maintain a completion rate of 50% or more to maintain their access. This requirement was removed on 01 January 2024.
Students are still monitored via a Completion rate for Academic Progression however falling below 50% no longer impacts a student's access to Commonwealth Assistance.
Refer to the table below to see how the different grades and withdrawal outcomes count towards the calculation of the completion rate:
| Grade | Description | Count as an attempted unit? | Unsuccessfully completed? | Successfully completed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W0 | Withdrawal before census | N | N/a | N/a |
| WD | Withdrawal after census date but before the ‘First date for withdrawal with fail recorded’ date | Y | Y | N |
| WD-Fail i.e., N | Withdrawal after the ‘First date for withdrawal with fail recorded’ date | Y | Y | N |
| AW | Approved Withdrawal. Withdrawal after census but before the 'First date for withdrawal with fail recorded' date, OR successful grade review.* from 2023 onwards | Y | Y | N |
| AS | Academic Safety Net fail grade | Y | Y | N |
| N, UF | Fail, Ungraded Fail. | Y | Y | N |
| DNS | Fail: Did not submit assessment | Y | Y | N |
| P, C, D, HD ASC, ASD, ASP, UP | Pass, Credit, Distinction, High Distinction, Academic Safety Net Distinction, Academic Safety Net Credit, Academic Safety Net Pass, Ungraded Pass | Y | N | Y |
| RPL | Cross institutional or official Study Abroad/Exchange units used for credit in your course. | Y | N | Y |
| UW | University Withdrawal. University initiated withdrawal due to disciplinary proceedings, or failure to make a payment.* | Y | Y | N |
| G, NA, NS, Q, SA, SX, DX, GP, FCR | Interim Grades | N | N/a | N/a |
| 1, 2A, 2B, 3, H, H1, H2A, H2B, H3 | Honours classifications | Y | N | Y |
| Advanced Standing (Credit) | Any advanced standing credit achieved from 2022 onwards, this includes General and Specified Electives registered as credited units. | Y | N | Y |
*AW & UW grades where fee remission has been awarded do not count as an attempted unit for Academic Progression Completion Rate or Job Ready Graduate Completion Rate calculations.
Completion Rate = (Number of successfully completed
units/Total number of units attempted) x 100
Examples:
- Student A has 8 units attempted, out of which there are 6 units passed and 2 failed.
Completion rate = (6/8) x 100 = 75% - Student B has passed 3 units, withdrawn from 2 units after census and failed 4 units.
Completion rate = {3/ (3+2+4)} x 100 = 33.3% - Student C has passed 6 units, withdrawn from 3 before the census date and failed 4 units.
Completion rate = {6/ (6+4)} x 100 = 60%
Case scenarios on how completion rate changes over the course duration:
Scenario 1
| Period | Attempted Units | Successfully completed units | Unsuccessfully completed units | JRG Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 Year 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50 |
| S2 Year 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 40 |
| S1 Year 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 57 |
| S2 Year 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50 |
| S1 Year 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 63 |
| S2 Year 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 64 |
| S1 Year 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 59 |
Scenario 2
| Period | Attempted Units | Successfully completed units | Unsuccessfully completed units | JRG Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 Year 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| S2 Year 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 (Fail 1 Withdrawal after census 1) | 60 |
| S1 Year 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 (Withdrawal after census 2) | 43 |
| Student voluntarily transfers to another course | ||||
| S1 Year 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
| S2 Year 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 75 |
| S1 Year 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 63 |
| S2 Year 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 55 |
Scenario 3
| Period | Attempted Units | Successfully completed units | Unsuccessfully completed units | JRG Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 Year 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 67 |
| S2 Year 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 (Withdrawal after census 2) | 40 |
| Summer School Year 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 57 |
| S1 Year 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 63 |
| S2 Year 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 73 |
| S1 Year 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 69 |
| S2 Year 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 69 |
We do offer a range of support services to assist you in your studies. You can:
- Discuss your progress with a myMurdoch Advice Student Success Advisor, who can help identify strategies to improve outcomes.
- Contact your Academic Chair, you’ll find their details in the course structure of the handbook for study plan assistance and academic advice.
- See our learning and study resources or book an appointment with a myMurdoch Advice Student Success Advisor if you require support with academic literacy, numeracy or study skills.
- Contact the Murdoch University Health Counselling Service if you are experiencing difficult personal circumstances. This is a free, confidential service with professional counsellors.
Your completion rate is updated daily and will change after academic milestones such as the release of results, application of advanced standing and approved retrospective withdrawals, or after if you withdraw from a unit after the census date.
Not performing satisfactorily could have consequences on your enrolment and thus on your student visa conditions. If you have been awarded a scholarship, your eligibility may be impacted.
If you continue to not meet satisfactory progress after an academic performance plan has been implemented, Murdoch University may ultimately suspend, exclude and report you to Government. Please see Standard 8 of the National Code.
If you appeal this decision, you will be permitted to remain enrolled during the appeal period. However, if you choose not to appeal, or the appeal resolution is in favour of Murdoch’s decision, Murdoch is required to report you to the Department of Home Affairs for failing to make satisfactory academic progress.
If the appeal resolution is successful for you, you must be put on a mandatory academic performance plan. Your enrolment will then be reviewed at the end of the appropriate study period to monitor Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act compliance with satisfactory course progression.
If you choose to transfer courses, this is considered a “new commencement” and any failed units from the previous course are not counted towards your completion rate for the new course. Your GPA will be reset. You can transfer a maximum of 2 times and you will be checked for Genuine Student prior to course transfer.
Advanced Standing for any relevant units of study undertaken from 1st January 2022 onwards will also be counted towards your completion rate in your new course as a successfully completed unit.
As of 2023 a third attempt at the same unit can no longer be approved by their Academic Chair, instead the Head of College or delegate must approve the final attempt.
As of 01 Jan 2023, fourth attempt approvals will no longer be permitted. If you were approved for a third attempt before 01/01/2023 (signed form), you will have the opportunity to apply for a fourth attempt as a legacy student. Enrolments and Progress will be assessing each student’s eligibility to apply for a fourth attempt exception before being passed on to the Head of College.
If a final attempt at the same unit (third or fourth) is failed or denied you cannot remain in your course or any course which requires that unit.