HDR Course Approval Policy
Section 1 - Overview and Scope
(1) The Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Course Approval Policy provides a framework for the approval of all HDR
(2) This Policy is designed to ensure quality HDR
(3) This Policy applies to the development of new HDR
Section 2 - Policy
Part A - Principles
(4) UNE is committed to providing HDR
- are academically rigorous;
- reflect the important role of HDR training in a knowledge-based society;
- actively encourage candidates to develop the skills required to undertake their
research and future careers; - promote collaboration and connections with other University groups and offerings, where possible; and
- are an efficient and sustainable use of University resources and are aligned with the University Research Strategy.
(5) Development, amendment and withdrawal of HDR academic
Part B - HDR Course Development and Renewal
(6) When developing or renewing a HDR
- reflects on internal and external stakeholder feedback,
benchmarks , standards and requirements; - draws on appropriate content and established bodies of knowledge to ensure currency of curriculum;
- ensures the
course enablesHDR Candidates to be part of a scholarly intellectual community; - provides for the development of relevant
graduate attributes; - ensures that the
course design and requirements safeguard the integrity ofstudent research andassessment ; - aligns the learning objectives and
assessment to the desiredlearning outcomes ; - considers entry and exit pathways;
- considers resource implications; and
- undertake on an annual basis regular monitoring and review to support continuous improvement, and formal internal and external
course review at least every seven (7) years.
Part C - New HDR Courses
HDR Course Proposals
(7) Proposals for new HDR
(8) Once the HDR
course title;- official abbreviation of the
course ; - numerical field of education;
- Australian Qualifications Framework (
AQF ) level; course duration;- date at which the
course was endorsed; - academic rationale for this
course ; - any cross-school or cross-disciplinary implications and benefits;
- any cross-school consultation;
- reference to external
benchmarks , standards and requirements; - demonstrated reference to how the
course draws from a substantial, coherent body of knowledge and scholarship in relevant discipline(s)including the study of relevant theoretical frameworks andresearch findings; - teaching period and delivery mode;
- entry and exit pathways;
student funding basis and expected load in coming years;CRICOS code;course aims and outcomes (minimum of three). These will appear in theUNE Course Handbook ;graduate /candidate attributes;- provision for appropriate development of English language proficiency;
- practical or work experience; or any internships requirements;
Records Management System (RMS) reference for any agreements with participating partners/institutions;course overview;- summary details of
course (required forAustralian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) ; - any
course rules; course schedule information:- coursework
assessment - practicums
- internships; and
- practical or work experience/internship requirements.
Approval
(9) The completed HDR
(10) Once ratified by Graduate Research Committee, the proposal must be forwarded to the Research Committee for endorsement through to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research for review.
(11) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research will review the proposal and endorse through to the Academic Board for approval.
(12) The approved proposal will be sent to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (VC&CEO) for noting.
(13) Any approved amendments will be forwarded to Academic Board for endorsement.
(14) Once the amendments have been endorsed and approved, the proposal will be forwarded to the Graduate Research School for implementation.
Disestablishment or Withdrawal of HDR Courses
(15) Where there is a request to disestablish a HDR
(16) The request must include the rationale for disestablishment and include any enrolment, resource, infrastructure or budgetary implications.
(17) The request must include a management strategy for teaching out disestablished
(18) Graduate Research Committee will review the proposed amendments and if supported will forward to the Research Committee for endorsement through to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (DVCR) for endorsement.
(19) Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (DVCR) will review the proposal and endorse through to the Academic Board for approval.
(20) Where the decision is taken by Academic Board to approve to disestablishment of a HDR
(21) Once the amendment has been fully endorsed and approved, it will be forwarded to the Graduate Research School for implementation.
Course Amendments
(22)
(23) Significant amendments include:
- changes to
course title; - changes to
admission rules; - changes or redesign of 30% or more of the
course of requirements; - additions and/or changes to mandatory coursework
units ; and - changes in external/accreditation status.
(24) Minor amendments include:
- changes or redesign of less than 30% of the
course requirements; - changes to exit pathways;
- amendments to
admission periods; - amendments to campus offerings; and
- amendments to
learning outcomes .
(25) Editorial
- correction of typographical errors;
- updates of links;
- presentation of published information (such as re-ordering of information); and
- other amendments that do not alter the intent of the
course information.
Part D - Roles and Responsibilities
Role | Responsibility |
---|---|
Graduate Research Committee | The Graduate Research Committee is responsible for monitoring, reviewing and endorsing HDR |
Research Committee | The Research Committee is responsible for endorsing HDR |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (DVCR) | The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research is responsible for reviewing and endorsing HDR |
Academic Board | Academic Board is responsible for reviewing and approving HDR |
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (VC&CEO) | Approves this Policy and notes the approval of HDR |
Reporting
(26) The Dean, Graduate Research will report new HDR
Quality Assurance
(27) All HDR
(28) The HDR
(29) The implementation of this Policy will be supported through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research regularly monitoring and providing an annual report to the Research Committee and Academic Board on the operation of, and compliance with, this Policy.
Top of PageSection 3 - Authority and Compliance
Authority
(30) The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 29 of the University of New England Act, makes this University policy.
(31) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (DVCR) is authorised to make procedures and processes for the effective implementation and operation of this Policy, and to publish as associated documents any tool that will assist with compliance.
(32) Rule/Policy Administrator for this Policy is the Director Governance and University Secretary, who is authorised to make minor administrative updates to this Policy.
Compliance
(33)
(34) This Policy is consistent with all legislative standards and regulatory frameworks, including the Higher Education Support Act (HESA), the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF), the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS Act) and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students. Further information regarding compliance obligations is available via the
(35) This Policy operates as and from the
(36) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Policy the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer may approve an exception to this Rule, where the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer determines the application of the Rule would otherwise lead to an unfair, unreasonable or absurd outcome. Approvals by the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer under this clause must be documented in writing and must state the reason for the exception.
Top of PageSection 4 - Definitions (specific to this policy)
(37) Periodic Review - Comprehensive HDR