• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Part A - Posthumous Awards
• Coursework Posthumous Awards
• Higher Degree Research Posthumous Awards
• Testamurs for Posthumous Awards
• Part B - Aegrotat grades
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) Posthumous awards can be awarded to students in certain circumstances who have died while studying in a program at the University (including a University accredited program delivered by a third party provider). By awarding a posthumous degree, the University acknowledges that but for death, the student would have been expected to satisfactorily complete their studies, and this formal recognition may be of some consolation to the loved ones of the deceased.

(2) Aegrotat grades can be awarded to students in certain circumstances where the student of the University is unable to complete the assessment schedule for a subject in which they are registered because of permanent disability or incapacity of a catastrophic nature.

Section 2 - Definitions

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

1. Posthumous Award means an award granted after a student has died.
2. Aegrotat Grade means a grade awarded on compassionate grounds due to a student’s inability to complete a subject.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - Posthumous Awards

Coursework Posthumous Awards

(4) Applications for consideration of Posthumous Coursework Award can be made by the executor of the student’s estate, by their immediate family, or by the relevant Dean or Deputy Dean or equivalent at a Third Party Provider.

(5) Applications should be made to the School Academic Committee (SAC) (or equivalent), which will consider and decide the award.

(6) The University may award a qualification posthumously if, at the time of the student's death, they had:

1. successfully completed a minimum of 50% of the credit points for the award and
2. completed a minimum of one term of study at the University.

(7) The percent of successful completion is calculated by dividing the number of credit points achieved, (including the credit points awarded for Credit for Prior Learning) by the number of credit points still necessary for completing the degree, at the time of death, and expressing this as a percentage. If the student died with "incomplete" grades, these should be completed using usual processes.

(8) The School Academic Committee (or equivalent) may determine a student is eligible for a posthumous award if they have completed less than 50% of the credit points for the award in exceptional circumstances.

(9) The Academic Senate (Senate) and the Senate Assessment Committee must be notified of the decision to approve a Posthumous Coursework Award and the rationale for the decision.

Higher Degree Research Posthumous Awards

(10) Applications for consideration of a Posthumous Higher Degree Research Award can be made by the executor of the student’s estate, by their immediate family, or by the relevant Dean of a School or Director, Research Institute.

(11) Applications should be made to the Research Studies Committee (RSC) who will consider and decide the award.

(12) The University may award a research higher degree posthumous award if, at the time of the student's death they had:

1. successfully completed the confirmation of candidature and
2. undertaken sufficient work in such a form that when reviewed by the supervisor and the RSC, the determination is that the student would have successfully completed had the death not occurred.

(13) Senate must be notified of the decision to approve a Posthumous Higher Degree Research Award and the rationale for the decision.

(14) If the degree is awarded, the material on which the award was based may be developed and disseminated by the supervisory panel with appropriate attribution and intellectual property rights to the student (or their estate) and the panel which developed it within the requirements of the University Intellectual Property Policy in operation at the time of death. Where the candidate is also of Indigenous Australian descent and/or the research relates to Indigenous Australian research, the Intellectual Property must also be treated in accordance with the relevant Indigenous code of ethics, such as AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research or the NHMRC - Ethical Conduct in Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities. 

Testamurs for Posthumous Awards

(15) The testamur will have the name of the award as well as the word "posthumous".

Part B - Aegrotat grades

(16) If a student is unable to complete the assessment tasks for a subject in which they are registered because of permanent disability or incapacity of a catastrophic nature (including the death of a student), but in the opinion of the SAC (or equivalent) would have been able to satisfactorily complete the assessment tasks for the subject, an Aegrotat Pass can be awarded. Refer to the “Grade Tables” in the Assessment Policy.

(17) The Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) may apply for an aegrotat grade to be awarded.

(18) The SAC (or equivalent), considers and decides the aegrotat grade. Senate and the Senate Assessment Committee must be notified of the grade decision and rationale.

(19) This policy does not apply to core subjects in professionally accredited programs. Core Subjects are identified in the program approval documents and listed in the Online Handbook.

(20) In the event that a student suffers difficult circumstances but does not meet the criteria of permanent disability or catastrophic incapacity required for an aegrotat grade, then the provisions of the Disruption to Studies Policy will apply.

Section 4 - Procedures

(21) Nil.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(22) Posthumous Award – Death Response Plan Coordinator Guide.

(23) Assessment Policy.

(24) Disruption to Studies Policy.

(25) Intellectual Property Policy.

(26) Records and Archives Management Policy.