Academic progress

What is academic progress?

Griffith University uses the term 'Academic Progress' to describe how well you are performing in your academic studies at the University. The University assesses a student’s level of risk of maintaining good academic progress using the following colour-coding system:

• Green: Good academic progress
• Yellow: Low risk to maintenance of good academic progress
• Orange: Medium risk to maintenance of good academic progress
• Red: Significant risk to maintenance of good academic progress and under consideration for exclusion from the University.

What is good academic progress?

Students are considered to have good academic progress (green) if they:

• successfully complete 50% or more of the credit points in which they are enrolled; and
• maintain a program Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.5.

What does it mean to be 'at risk' of losing good academic progress?

When your GPA falls below a certain level, the University recognises that you may be in danger of not performing successfully in your studies. The University considers you may be at risk of losing your good academic progress (Green) if you:

• fail to complete assessment items
• perform poorly in assessment items
• have an academic progress status of Yellow, Orange or Red and your academic performance fails to improve.

I'm on Orange status, why do I have to complete a Student Success Plan?

All students on an academic progress status of Orange are required to complete a Student Success Plan. This plan is designed to assist you to reflect on any circumstances that are impacting your studies and sets out strategies to improve your academic progression. It also provides access to resources, support services and key University contacts.

How does the University support students 'at risk'?

During the teaching term and from as early as Week 2, the University makes systematic assessments of student performance. There are also two (2) Academic progress review periods run each year (June-July and November-January). If you are deemed to be at risk, you may be referred to the following sources of assistance to improve your academic progress: Support for Students, Study Smart, the academic staff responsible for your program and courses, or if you are an international student, an International Study Advisor.

What is exclusion?

If your academic performance does not improve, you could eventually be excluded. A student who is excluded is not permitted to attend classes or undertake study in the program from which they were excluded or in any other University program (including non-award programs).

A student may be eligible for exclusion if they have:

• a program GPA of less than 3.5 and previously been assessed as having an academic progress status of Orange at least once in their current program
• failed the same course three times
• failed one or more designated courses.

For further information refer to the Academic Progress Procedure.

If you are excluded you may wish to take an early exit and request to graduate from an alternate award. Eligibility is subject to you meeting the degree requirements of the alternative award, along with any requirements as outlined under the Graduations Procedure.

Can I ask for a review or appeal a decision to exclude me?

Yes. If you feel that you have wrongly been excluded, contact the Program Director first to make sure you understand the decision. If you are still unhappy with the decision, you may apply for a review of this decision to the Dean (Learning and Teaching) within 10 working days of being notified of the decision to exclude you. Requests for a review are made using the Review of a Decision Form and must follow the Student Review and Appeals Policy.

If you are not happy with the outcome of the review you may lodge an appeal against exclusion to the University Appeals Committee within 10 working  days of being notified of the review decision, using a new Review of a Decision Form and following the University’s Student Review and Appeals Policy.

Is there any further avenue for having a decision reviewed?

Yes. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Step 3 process for decisions to exclude, then you may lodge a complaint with the Queensland Ombudsman.

Can I recommence study once I have been excluded?

Once you've served your exclusion period of two standard trimesters or nine calendar months (whichever is longer), you may recommence study at Griffith. Please note, Trimester 3 does not count towards the serving of an exclusion period.

You won't be able to automatically return to your studies; you must either apply for readmission into your current program or apply to study a new program.

An application may be lodged before the exclusion period has elapsed to meet University or other closing dates, but you will not be able to recommence your studies until the period of exclusion has elapsed.