Managing your end-on bachelor honours degree

What if I want to change my program?

If you want to change the schedule of coursework (where applicable), your dissertation topic or your supervisor, you must get the approval of the Honours Program Director.

If you want to change the schedule of coursework, you must submit a revised study program for approval by the Honours Program Director. If the change is approved, you are responsible for changing your enrolment by the dates in the Enrolment Dates Protocol.

You will not be allowed to repeat a course which you have passed.

What is the maximum time limit to complete my program?

You must complete your program in three years (six standard trimesters), including any coursework for which credit is given, in order to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree.

What if I want to withdraw from a course?

If you want to withdraw from a course without enrolling in another course in its place, you must notify the Honours Program Director. You must also submit to the Honours Program Director a revised study program which will still allow you to meet the requirements of the Honours Degree.

If you withdraw after April 30 from a first trimester course or after September 30 from a second trimester course, you are considered to have failed the course and will receive a grade of “Withdrawal with Failure” (WF).

If you need to withdraw from a course because of special circumstances, you may be able to apply for withdrawal without failure due to special circumstances. See section 3.9 of the Enrolment Procedure for more information.

What if I need to take leave of absence (LOA)?

You must get approval from the Honours Program Director to take LOA.

The Honours Program Director may approve a LOA of up to two semesters. The maximum LOA you can take in your degree is two semesters in total.

The Honours Director will make his/her decision about LOA based on:

• what stage you are at in your degree
• the timing of the courses in the degree and if the courses you need will be available when you return from LOA
• the effects of a LOA on your dissertation research
• if you will still complete the program within the three-year maximum time limit if you take LOA.

Application form for Leave of Absence for Honours students

Why might my candidature be terminated?

Enrolment in your Honours degree will be cancelled and your candidature terminated, if:

• you advise that you wish to withdraw from your Honours degree; or
• you withdraw from all courses without an approved LOA from the degree; or
• you withdraw from the dissertation; or
• you don’t submit your dissertation by the due date, including any approved extensions.

Can I appeal my final grade?

If you fail a course, you are not normally permitted to repeat the failed course or undertake a replacement course. As you have not completed the required 80CP of the program, you are not awarded the Honours degree. Your academic record will show the final grade for all courses attempted, including the dissertation and the fail grade. Your enrolment will be cancelled and your honours candidature terminated if:

• you have only failed one course
• there are special circumstances which contributed to the fail grade; and
• you can complete the replacement course within the three-year time limit.

The Honours Program Director may recommend to the Chair, School Assessment Board, that you be permitted to repeat the failed course or undertake a replacement course.

In this case, your grades will be scaled so that the total credit points for your coursework courses are the same as for other students. The extra course attempt will not affect the calculation of your Honours Classification.

Can I undertake the supplementary assessment if I fail a course?

No. Supplementary assessment is not available in Honours programs.

What if I need more time to complete my dissertation?

The Honours Program Director may approve an extension of time for a maximum of 28 calendar days on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances. The length of the extension will equal the length of time the Honours Program Director considers you were unable to work on your dissertation. See the Dissertation Management Procedure for more information.

What is the process for submitting my dissertation for examination?

Check your enrolment status and that you are enrolled in the correct dissertation course code. If you are an international student, you must also check that you have paid all fees and charges before submitting your dissertation for examination. If you are not currently enrolled, your dissertation will not be sent for examination.

Submission of dissertation is, Friday of the first week of June in Trimester 1 or Friday of the last week of October in Trimester 2. A digital copy including any accompanying supporting materials for examination must be submitted.

Can I resubmit my dissertation?

No. You cannot undertake additional work, revise the dissertation or resubmit after you have submitted it.

Can I be readmitted to my honours program?

If you have at least one grade in your Honours degree and you withdrew from the program, then you may be able to apply for readmission if:

1. You can complete the candidature requirements within three years from the date of first enrolment once you resume your candidature. If the Honours Program Director considers that you have a reasonable chance of completing the candidature successfully, he/ she may approve readmission, possibly with a changed coursework schedule, dissertation topic and supervisor.
2. The Honours Program Director approves admission to a new Honours candidature. In this case, you will be required to undertake 80CP of study subsequent to readmission and:
   • coursework previously completed may not be included in the new study program or count towards your Honours classification; and
   • a new dissertation topic must be approved; and
   • you must complete the new candidature within three years from the time of readmission.

The Request for Readmission form is available at the readmission website.

What happens if I fail my dissertation?

If you fail your dissertation, your enrolment will be cancelled and your candidature terminated. Your academic record will show the fail grade for the dissertation and you will not be awarded an Honours degree.

What if I am unhappy about a decision regarding admission, grades, LOA, or termination?

The Student Review and Appeals Procedure provides for an Honours candidate to apply for a review of any of the following academic decisions:

• Rejection of application for admission to bachelor (honours) AQF Level 8 program (end-on and embedded)
• Grades awarded for a coursework component as provided for in the Assessment Procedure for Students
• Honours Classification or the grade awarded for the dissertation
• Refusal to grant leave of absence as provided for in the Dissertation Management Procedure
• Termination of Honours candidature.

The request for review must be made online on the Review of Decision Form within 10 working days of notification of the original decision. Please refer to the Student Review and Appeals Policy and Student Review and Appeals Procedures for more information.