• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Conferring awards “with distinction”
• Awarding the University Medal
• Awarding a Dean's Medal
• Dean's Merit List
• Section 5 -  Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) This procedure operationalises the Student Administration Policy with respect to the issuance of awards which recognize academic excellence.

Section 2 - Definitions

(2) For the purposes of this policy, definitions that apply can be found in the Policy DDS Glossary, in addition to the following:

1. Average Mark means the Average Mark for a student, calculated by: Sum of (mark x credit points for subject)/Sum of credit points.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(3) Refer to the Student Administration Policy. 

Section 4 - Procedures

(4) The University recognises academic excellence in a number of ways, including:

1. Conferring coursework awards “with distinction”
2. Awarding the University Medal
3. Awarding a Dean's Medal
4. Placing a student on the Dean's Merit List. 

Conferring awards “with distinction”

(5) Graduands who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 6.0 or above in a coursework program will have the relevant award conferred “with distinction.” 

(6) The conferral of an award “with distinction” will be recognised on a student’s testamur, AHEGS and Academic Transcript.

Awarding the University Medal

(7) The University Medal is the most prestigious academic award of the University and recognises outstanding scholarship. 

(8) Graduands will be awarded the University Medal where they have completed:

1. An honours program of at least 80 credit points (1 year equivalent full-time study) at the University and awarded Class I Honours with a cumulative GPA 6.5 or higher; or
2. A Master of Research thesis (HD – 85 and above); and
3. Have not been sanctioned under the Student Misconduct Rule for general or academic misconduct. 

(9) Student Administration will identify students who are eligible for the University Medal and seek approval from the delegated authority as part of the conferral process. 

(10) The awarding of a University Medal will be recognised on a student’s Testamur, AHEGS and Academic Transcript. 

(11) All University Medal recipients will be invited to a graduation ceremony that aligns with their conferral round to celebrate their achievement.

Awarding a Dean's Medal

(12) The Dean's Medal recognises academic excellence and achievement. 

(13) Graduands will be awarded a Dean's Medal where they: 

1. Have completed a coursework program of at least 80 credit points (1year equivalent full-time study) at the University; 
2. Have the highest cumulative GPA in their graduating cohort from their program and that GPA is 6.25  or higher;  
3. Have not been awarded a University Medal for the same program; and
4. Have not been sanctioned under the Student Misconduct Rule for general or academic misconduct.

(14) Students enrolled in undergraduate Bachelor double degrees and eligible for awards of the two degrees can be awarded the Dean's Medal for both degrees.

(15) Student Administration will prepare a report which identifies graduates that meet the eligibility criteria and recommend the delegated authority approve the award of a Dean's Medal as part of the conferral process.  

(16) The awarding of a Dean's Medal will be recognised on a student’s AHEGS. 

(17) All Dean's Medal recipients will be invited to a graduation ceremony that aligns with their conferral round to celebrate their achievement.

Dean's Merit List

(18) The Dean's Merit List recognises top academic achievers each year.

(19) The Dean's Merit List is compiled annually at the end of each academic year and calculated using results from the previous full year once final grades have been processed.  

(20) Students are eligible to be included in the Dean’s Merit List if they: 

1. completed at least 40 credit points, and
2. have a GPA of 6.00 or greater in the relevant academic year.  

(21) Student Administration will prepare an annual report which identifies students that are eligible to be included in the Dean's Merit List and recommend the delegated authority approve the annual list. 

Section 5 -  Guidelines

(22) Nil.