HE Qualification Guidelines

These new guidelines for the Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral degree qualifications were ratified by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) on 27 July, 2001. They appear in the AQF Implementation Handbook, 3^rd Edition, 2002 and replace section 3 ('Learning Outcomes') and section 5 ('Pathways to the Qualification') within the existing guidelines for the Bachelor degree, Masters degree and Doctoral degree contained in the AQF Implementation Handbook, 2^nd Edition, 1998.

Bachelor Degree Guideline

Characteristics guideline

'Characteristics of learning outcomes at this level include: the acquisition of a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts, and the associated communication and problem-solving skills; development of the academic skills and attributes necessary to undertake research, comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of sources; development of the ability to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques learnt, including in a professional context; a foundation for self-directed and lifelong learning; and interpersonal and teamwork skills appropriate to employment and/or further study. A course leading to this qualification also usually involves major studies in which a significant literature is available. Course content is taken to a significant depth and progressively developed to a high level which provides a basis for postgraduate study and professional careers.'

Pathways guideline

'Candidates on entry typically hold the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or its equivalent, including mature age or other special provisions for entry or bridging or foundation programs. Candidates may also enter from a Diploma or Advanced Diploma, which may involve articulation and credit transfer arrangements, or from another undergraduate degree. There is a range of Bachelor degree programs, including the following: the three year degree; the three or four year (or longer) professional degree which equips students with the practical skills and techniques necessary to apply their skills effectively in a professional context; the combined or double degree program which allows students particular combinations of subjects from the two degrees and to graduate with both degrees in a shorter time than required to complete both degrees independently; the graduate entry degree, which is a minimum of two years in duration, is specifically designed on the assumption of graduate entry, sometimes in a specified discipline, often as a shorter alternative to the standard four year (or longer) degree for initial professional preparation; the Bachelor Honours degree which may be undertaken by students who demonstrate a high level of achievement at an earlier stage in the undergraduate degree program, and involves some research preparation. In the case of the three year degree, the Bachelor Honours degree requires the completion of an additional year or its equivalent. For degrees of four (or more) years, the Bachelor Honours degree is awarded on the basis of the level of performance in the degree as a whole. A graduate of a Bachelor degree is eligible to apply for entry to a relevant Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and a Masters degree by coursework program. A graduate from a Bachelor Honours degree may also be eligible for entry to a Doctoral degree program, providing that the candidate has demonstrated potential to undertake work at this level. In some circumstances, a period of professional experience may be required for admission to these postgraduate programs.'

Masters Degree Guideline

Characteristics guideline

'Characteristics of learning outcomes at this level include the mastery or overview of the relevant field of study or area of professional practice and the emphasis may range from the acquisition or enhancement of specific professional or vocational skills and knowledge, usually undertaken in a combination of coursework and research, through to the acquisition of in-depth understanding in a specific area of knowledge which is usually undertaken through research. A graduate of a Master's degree program is able to: provide appropriate evidence of advanced knowledge about a specialist body of theoretical and applied topics; demonstrate a high order of skill in analysis, critical evaluation and/or professional application through the planning and execution of project work or a piece of scholarship or research; and demonstrate creativity and flexibility in the application of knowledge and skills to new situations, to solve complex problems and to think rigorously and independently.'

Pathways guideline

'Entry to the Masters degree is based on evidence of a capacity to undertake higher degree studies in the proposed field. There is a wide range of entry pathways, varying according to the program methodology and the discipline involved. Predominantly research-based programs normally have a research pre-requisite whereas predominantly coursework-based programs may be accessed more broadly. Typical programs and entry pathways: the typical coursework Masters degree program comprising coursework, project work and research in varying combinations, may be entered from a Bachelor degree, a Bachelor Honours degree or a Graduate Diploma. Coursework Masters degrees are often structured in a three to four semester nested arrangement with the Graduate Certificate (one semester) Graduate Diploma (a further semester) and Masters degree (a further two semesters); the typical research Masters degree program comprising at least two-thirds research with a substantial, often externally assessed thesis outcome, entered from a Bachelor Honours degree or Masters preliminary year, a research-based Graduate Diploma or equivalent research experience; a professional coursework Masters degree program, which may involve a work-based project, specifically designed for entry on the basis of a relevant qualification and professional experience or extensive relevant professional experience. Because of the range of entry pathways and methodologies the duration of Masters degree programs varies. However, most Masters degrees require the equivalent of two years of study post the three year Bachelor degree or one year of study post the Bachelor Honours degree or four year (or longer) Bachelor degree.

 

Doctoral Degree Guideline

Characteristics guideline

Characteristics of learning outcomes at this level include a substantial original contribution to knowledge in the form of new knowledge or significant and original adaptation, application and interpretation of existing knowledge. These characteristics of learning outcomes may be based on a comprehensive and searching review of the literature, experimentation, creative work with exegesis or other systematic approach or may be based on advanced, searching and expansive critical reflection on professional theory and practice. A graduate of a Doctoral degree program is able to: carry out an original research project, or a project(s) addressing a matter of substance concerning practice in a profession at a high level of originality and quality; and present a substantial and well ordered dissertation, non-print thesis or portfolio, for submission to external examination against international standards.'

Pathways guideline

'Candidates typically hold a Masters degree or a Bachelor Honours degree (First or Second Class, upper division) or equivalent and are expected to demonstrate potential to undertake work at this level in the proposed field of study. In some institutions, candidates may upgrade an in-progress Masters degree to a Doctoral degree where they have not yet taken out the Masters degree. For some doctoral programs, substantial professional experience will be an integral requirement. There is a range of doctoral programs, in varying combinations of research and coursework and professional orientation, as follows: the research doctorate is usually entered from a research or part-research Masters degree or a Bachelor Honours degree (First or Second Class, upper division) and, is primarily achieved through supervised research; the professional doctorate is usually entered from a combined research and coursework Masters degree, a Bachelor Honours degree (First or Second Class, upper division) or equivalent and requires significant professional practice either prior to and/or as part of the program, which may be undertaken through varying combinations of coursework and research. Because candidates hold a range of relevant skills and knowledge, the duration of programs varies. A typical research or professional doctoral program would be expected to require the equivalent of three to four years of full-time work. There is a further type of doctoral degree, the higher doctorate, which is awarded to candidates usually possessing a doctoral degree on the basis of an internationally-recognised original contribution to knowledge rather than supervised candidature, often in the context of a substantial association with the conferring institution.