Schedule 1 — Definitions
academic adviser means a member of academic staff appointed by a Dean (or nominee) in a specific faculty who is assigned to, and/or whose advice is sought by, students who have or are likely to have difficulty in satisfying academic progression requirements.
Academic Board means the Academic Board established under section 15 of the Act.
Academic Liaison Officer (ALO) means a member of the academic staff of a faculty appointed by a Responsible Academic Officer of that faculty with responsibility for determining special provisions including for students with carer responsibilities, students who are pregnant, and learning and assessment arrangements for students who have permanent or temporary disabilities (including ongoing illnesses).
academic progression is a general term that refers to the requirement for students to satisfy specified levels of academic achievement as they progress through their course and the requirement for the University to monitor this progress. The measures of academic progression include:
- satisfying a minimum rate of progress specified in terms of credit points gained;
- completing a course within an approved maximum time limit;
- not failing the same (or equivalent) subject on repeated occasions.
academic transcript means the official University document issued by the University as a record of all learning leading to an Australian Qualifications Framework qualification or an accredited unit in which a student is enrolled.
Act means the University of Technology Sydney Act 1989 (NSW) (as amended from time to time).
admission means the process of applying for, being made an offer to, accepting the offer of admission and being admitted to a course at the University.
Advanced Diploma means a course of study with learning outcomes at Level 6 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Advanced Diploma qualifies individuals who apply specialised knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning.
alternative examinations mean exams for students who have an approved special consideration application to sit the exam at a different time/date from the main exams for centrally conducted exams or at a time designated by the faculty for faculty-based exams. These are held after the main exams during the alternative exam period.
applicant means a person who has applied for admission to the University.
assessment means the process whereby student achievement of particular learning outcomes is determined, feedback on progress is given and final subject assessment results/grades are awarded. Assessment is a broad term and includes but is not limited to tests, essays, assignments, projects, practical work, creation of digital products, examinations, reports, exhibitions, performances, presentations, demonstrations and other work whether written or otherwise.
assessment result means the mark, grade or result achieved by a student for a particular assessment which indicates the standard attained in that assessment. (Also see final subject assessment result.)
Associate Degree means a course of study with learning outcomes at Level 6 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Associate Degree qualifies individuals who apply underpinning technical and theoretical knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake paraprofessional work and a pathway for further learning.
attendance mode (a term required by the Commonwealth Government department that funds higher education) identifies the way a student undertakes a subject or course and can be internal, distance (i.e. external) or multi-modal (i.e. where a student is undertaking a course that contains a combination of internal and distance study). (Also see study mode.)
Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) means the official University document issued by the University as a supplementary statement to the testamur and academic transcript. It provides additional information to enhance understanding of the qualification by students, employers, industry, professional associations and internationally.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is Australia’s national policy for regulated qualifications. The AQF encompasses higher education, vocational education and training and school education. It provides for national recognition and a consistent understanding of what defines each qualification type.
award means an academic award of the University in respect of an award course.
award course means the following course types and any other courses that may be approved by Academic Board from time to time:
- Undergraduate Certificate;
- Diploma;
- Advanced Diploma;
- Associate degree;
- Bachelor degree;
- Bachelor Honours degree;
- Graduate Certificate;
- Graduate Diploma;
- Masters degree (Coursework);
- Masters degree (Extended);
- Masters degree (Research);
- Doctoral degree;
- Higher Doctorate.
Bachelor degree means a course of study with learning outcomes at Level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Bachelor degree qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional work and as a pathway for further learning.
Bachelor Honours degree means a course of study with learning outcomes at Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Bachelor Honours degree qualifies individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a specific context to undertake professional work and as a pathway for research and further learning.
borderline result means a final mark of 45–49 per cent in a subject where 50 per cent is judged as a pass; or an equivalent marginal fail in a subject for which marks are not awarded.
By-law means the University of Technology Sydney By-law 2005 (NSW) (as amended from time to time) as established under the Act.
census date is the date at which student load and financial liability is calculated for the purpose of reporting to the Commonwealth Government. It is the last date by which a student can withdraw from a subject without incurring academic penalty or financial liability, where financial liability means either a tuition fee, or student contribution amount or the student services and amenities fees.
centrally conducted examination means an examination scheduled and conducted under the authority of the Director, Student Administration.
collaborative Doctoral degree means a Doctoral degree offered under an arrangement between UTS and an international university involving collaborative research and supervision of a Doctoral degree student. This leads to the student being awarded a Doctoral degree from both universities in recognition of the collaborative arrangement.
combined degree: Bachelor or Masters degrees may be offered as a combined degree which normally consists of components of two degrees. Combined degrees may, but need not, enable a student to graduate with both degrees in a shorter time than required to complete both degrees independently. Combined bachelor degrees will typically consist of two bachelor degrees and combined masters degrees will typically consist of two master degrees.
Council means the Council of the University established under section 8A of the Act.
course means an award course, short form of learning or non-award study or any part of such program of study offered by UTS into which students are admitted and may include single subjects or time-based study in which students are enrolled.
course transfer means the process by which UTS students can transfer from one course to another course. This can include an 'early exit' option upon completion of the course requirements for a lower-level award.
credit point means the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Credit points are gained by students enrolled in award courses when subjects are passed and, when accumulated, credit points form one measure of the total requirements of a course. As a standard measure at UTS, one academic year of full-time study is equivalent to 48 credit points.
cross-institutional study means single subject or set of subjects study undertaken at UTS by a student as part of an award course for which he or she is enrolled at another Australian university.
Dean means the appointed head of a faculty or other academic organisational unit with responsibility for the academic standing and overall leadership and management of the faculty or other unit.
debt to the University means failure to pay all fees, charges and any other specified amount imposed and/or required by the University to be paid by the due date for payment.
Diploma means a course of study with learning outcomes at Level 5 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Diploma qualifies individuals who apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning.
Director, Governance Support Unit means the officer of the University who has general responsibility for, among other things, the administration of matters being handled in accordance with Section 16 (Student misconduct and appeals).
Director, Student Administration (in the Lifetime Learner Experience Unit) means the officer of the University who has general responsibility for student administrative matters including, among other things, admissions, fees, enrolment, centrally conducted examinations, quality and graduation procedures.
Director, Student Services Unit means the officer of the University who has general responsibility for a range of support services for students including, among other things, student counselling services, student housing and student residences.
Doctoral degree means a course of study with learning outcomes at Level 10 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Doctoral degree qualifies individuals who apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more fields of investigation, scholarship or professional practice. Doctoral degrees can include a Doctor by research or a Doctor by research with a coursework component. The coursework component should make up no more than one-third of the total course requirement.
domestic student means students who are:
- Australian citizens;
- holders of an Australian permanent visa; or
- New Zealand citizens, including a diplomatic or consular representative of New Zealand, a member of the staff of such a representative or the spouse or dependent relative of such a representative.
enrolment means the process whereby a student who has been admitted to a course enrols in subjects or other assessable components, which includes the allocation of classes, tutorials etc. where relevant or enrolment in time-based study where relevant, and completes other related administrative requirements as determined by the University.
equipment loan means a University asset borrowed by a student to meet specific teaching, learning or assessment requirements as specified in subject information provided to students, including but not limited to:
- laboratory/scientific — apparatus equipment;
- photographic/video/telecommunications/sound equipment;
- workshop equipment.
equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) is a measure of the study load of a student undertaking a course on a full-time basis. At UTS for students enrolled in coursework programs, one EFTSL is equivalent to 48 credit points and for students enrolled in graduate research programs one EFTSL is equivalent to one year of full-time study.
examination means any centrally conducted examination, faculty-based examination and thesis examination scheduled in-person or online.
examination period means:
(1) the official examination period as approved by Academic Board for centrally conducted examinations; or
(2) examination periods approved by the Director, Student Administration for centrally conducted examinations; or
(3) examination periods approved by the Subject Coordinator for faculty-based examinations to be held at other times as required and published in accordance with Rule 9.1.
examination supervisor means a person appointed in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Director, Student Administration to oversee and direct centrally conducted examinations. (Also see monitoring staff member.)
facility includes but is not limited to any classroom, lecture theatre, library, computing, production or workshop facility, any other place of learning, any information technology or information transfer system, student accommodation or any other properties owned, occupied or controlled by UTS to which a student has access at or away from University premises for his or her University purposes.
faculty means an organisational unit as approved from time to time which is responsible for the delivery of teaching, research and associated activities within a common academic discipline grouping, and any other organisational unit designated as such by the Vice-Chancellor for the purposes of the Rules.
faculty-based examination means an examination conducted by a faculty or other designated unit, and includes examinations for courses and subjects or time-based study conducted offshore.
Faculty Board means the group of staff and students with responsibility for assessing the quality of, and providing direction to, the academic work of the faculty including teaching, learning, scholarship, research and research training and exercising responsibilities assigned to it by Academic Board from time to time.
final subject assessment result means the mark, grade or result awarded for a subject as a whole. (Also see assessment result.)
form means an official form of the University used for student administrative purposes and includes forms in hardcopy print format, forms that are available electronically and forms that are part of online transaction processes utilising electronic systems.
full-time student means a student who is undertaking a minimum of 75 per cent of the equivalent full-time student load.
Generative artificial intelligence (also GenAI) means an artificial intelligence system, tool (existing and emerging) or IT resources (existing or emerging) that can generate new content, such as text, images, code, video and audio.
grading of awards means the recognition of different levels of academic achievement within specific course awards through the classification of the award.
graduate means a person who has satisfied the requirements for an academic award and upon whom the award has been conferred.
Graduate Certificate means a course of study at Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Graduate Certificate qualifies individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.
graduate coursework student means a student enrolled in a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters degree (Coursework) or Masters degree (Extended).
Graduate Diploma means a course of study at Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Graduate Diploma qualifies individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.
Graduate Research School Board means the group of staff and students with responsibility for assessing the quality of, and providing direction to, the administration of graduate research education in the Graduate Research School. Under Rule 1.3 of the Student Rules, the Graduate Research School Board (GRSB) is accountable for making strategic decisions to shape the direction and practices of the Graduate Research School in matters of students, research and teaching, its development and its core business as a pan-institutional entity.
graduate research student means a student enrolled in a Masters degree (Research) or a Doctoral degree.
HELPS means the Higher Education Language and Presentation Support, which provides English language and academic literacy support to UTS students.
Higher Degree Research Committee means the body appointed by Academic Board to provide recommendations and advice on matters relating to graduate research training quality and performance, degree accreditation and removal, research integrity and emerging trends in graduate research.
Higher Doctorate means an award of the University conferred upon candidates who have a significant academic connection with the University and whose scholarly works exhibit, among other things, a level of originality and creativity which marks them as a major authority in their field.
honorary award means an award of the University conferred upon a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the achievement of the University’s mission, to scholarship or professional practice in one or more disciplines or professions of interest to the University, to the advancement of society in Australia or overseas or to the life and objectives of the University. Honorary awards, taking the totality of the contributions being recognised, may be in the form of a Doctoral degree, a Fellowship of the University or a Distinguished Service Award.
inherent requirements mean identified academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course or its professional or accreditation components. These include, but are not limited to, the ability to perform specific tasks, the ability to work effectively in a team or with specific tools or software and the ability to work safely. Inherent requirements for UTS courses must be clearly articulated and published however are not considered as part of the admissions process.
intellectual property means intellectual property subject to the University’s Intellectual Property Policy.
international student means a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, not a New Zealand citizen or not a person entitled to stay in Australia without any time limit, who is enrolled or to be enrolled in a course of study at the University.
internship means all University approved or provided clinical, professional, industrial work placements, experiences or practicums, paid or unpaid, onshore or offshore, that form part of a course or subject offered by the University. Further guidance is provided in the Internships Management Policy.
internship-like experience means a University recognised experience, or collection of experiences, that simulate a place of work that forms part of a course or subject (within a workplace environment from classroom to workplace). These experiences normally involve extended participation in activities that approximate real work activities such as problem-based learning with industry partners, simulations, case studies, studios, complex lab work, workplace audits and/or field trips that approximate real work activities. They are designed or facilitated with industry input, are accompanied by reflection to consolidate learning, and/or show possible future employment situations.
invigilation means to supervise students at an examination. Invigilation can be done in person, remote live and remote recorded.
leave of absence means a period of time in which a student who has been admitted to a course is permitted not to enrol in any subjects or, in the case of a graduate research student, not to continue with research study for a period of time. Students must seek approval for leave of absence.
legislation or legislative requirements means all and any Commonwealth and state Acts, instruments made under those Acts and any other form of Commonwealth or state regulation.
Level means the relative complexity or level of difficulty of a course or subject. Levels provide an agreed standard of what a student is expected to know and be able to do upon completion of a course or subject.
Masters degree (Coursework) means a course of study at Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Masters degree (Coursework) qualifies individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning. Masters degree (Coursework) may be offered as a combined degree which normally consists of components of two masters degrees. Combined Masters degrees (Coursework) may, but need not, enable a student to graduate with both degrees in a shorter time than required to complete both degrees independently.
Masters degree (Extended) means a course of study at Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Masters degree (Extended) qualifies individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice and as a pathway for further learning.
Masters degree (Research) means a course of study at Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Masters degree (Research) qualifies individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for research and scholarship and as a pathway for further learning. A Masters degree (Research) may also have a coursework component. The coursework component should make up no more than one-third of the total course requirement.
misconduct can be academic misconduct and/or non-academic misconduct. Refer Rule 16.2 for specific definitions.
monitoring staff member means the officer of the University appointed by the Dean (or nominee) to oversee and direct faculty-based examinations. (Also see examination supervisor.)
nominee means the person or position identified by an officer of the University to undertake defined duties that are specified in the Rules as being the responsibility of that officer and, who, in undertaking those duties, will act for that officer of the University.
non-award student means a student enrolled in non-award study.
non-award study means a program of study that does not lead to an award of the University and may fall into the following categories:
- non-award single subject study;
- professional registration courses;
- cross-institutional study;
- international exchange study;
- UTS Foundation Studies course;
- non-award preparatory course;
- exchange program;
- study abroad program.
officer of the University means a member of staff of the University or person engaged as a contractor by the University to provide services on behalf of the University.
official academic record includes the UTS academic transcript, the UTS Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement, and the UTS testamur. (Also see academic transcript, Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement, testamur.)
official noticeboard means the UTS noticeboard website where official notices are displayed in electronic form.
official publications of the University mean:
(1) the UTS: Calendar as published from time to time;
(2) the UTS: Handbook as published from time to time,
as designated by the University Secretary. Published includes published in an electronic version.
plagiarism Refer Rule 16.2.1(4) for specific definition.
procedural irregularity means failure to follow the procedures that apply to the making of a particular decision under the Rules.
professional accreditation authority means an external professional body authorised to assess and accredit qualifications required by that particular profession.
professional Doctorate means a program of study at Doctoral level which advances knowledge through scholarly engagement with the practice of a profession, industry or creative field.
recognition of prior learning (RPL) means the range of processes by which students may have previous learning recognised for credit and/or the substitution of subjects as appropriate in their courses.
register means a formal or official collection of items of information in either hard copy or electronic form which has been designated by the University as being for a specific and defined purpose.
rescheduled examinations mean exams for students who have an approved special consideration application to sit the exam at a different time/date from the main exam. These are taken during the official assessment period.
Responsible Academic Officer (RAO) means a member of academic staff appointed as such by a Dean, Director of a Centre or Director of an Institute and such other persons as the Vice-Chancellor approves. A Dean, Director of a Centre or Director of an Institute that approves the appointment of an RAO also carries the same responsibility and can act as an RAO.
special consideration is the term used when a student who is experiencing (or anticipates that they will experience) significant difficulty in meeting assessment requirements due to circumstances beyond the student’s control (including but not limited to serious illness or psychological condition, loss or bereavement, hardship or trauma) applies to have those factors considered in the determination of variation to assessment requirements or other special arrangements for learning and assessment.
student (unless a defined intention is apparent or there is a specific definition within the relevant section of the Rules) means a person who has been admitted to an award course or non-award study and has an active enrolment in subjects or time-based study. A person is not a student if the person has:
- completed the requirements of the course; or
- withdrawn from the course; or
- withdrawn temporarily from the course for a period of at least one semester through approved leave of absence; or
- no active enrolment in subjects or in time-based study in a particular semester; or
- had their enrolment in the course discontinued, cancelled, suspended or terminated in accordance with the Rules; or
- been excluded from the course or from the University in accordance with the Rules.
Student Administration means the operational area in the Lifetime Learner Experience Unit under the Director, Student Administration that is responsible for the management of current students including admissions, current learner enquiries, enrolment, fees, exams, study plan management, progressions, subject results, graduation and conferral.
Student Assessment Review Committee means a committee established by each Faculty Board to consider requests from students for review of final assessment results in particular subjects conducted by the faculty.
Student Security Identification (SSI) means a Student Personal Identification Number (PIN), password, swipe card and/or any other form of access control device.
student system account means the UTS student administration access system and email allocated to a student.
study mode identifies particular characteristics about the method of study for particular courses or subjects and includes standard, cross institutional, exchange inbound, exchange outbound, industrial experience, non-award, offshore. (Also see attendance mode.)
subject means a self-contained unit of study that is approved by a Faculty Board. If a subject is a component of a course, it is normally allocated a specified number of credit points as a measure of the workload for that subject. (Also see credit point.)
Subject Coordinator means a member of academic staff nominated by a Responsible Academic Officer and appointed by the relevant Dean or equivalent for each subject.
subject information means the official representation of a subject’s requirements that is authoritative for both UTS and its students undertaking the subject. Subject information is approved by the relevant faculty board (Rule 3.7 and the Subject Information Procedure) and informs students about the expectations and requirements of subjects in which they are enrolled.
supervisory panel means the group of people appointed by the Graduate Research School Board in accordance with the guidelines approved by Academic Board to supervise the candidature of a research degree student.
supplementary assessment means the process by which a faculty may make provision for a student to undertake an additional assessment task within a specified time period if that student has been awarded a ‘Fail’ in their final teaching period and if that ‘Fail’ is within the borderline result range.
teaching period means a period of time approved by the University for the teaching and assessment of a subject. The official teaching periods are approved by the Vice-Chancellor on advice from Academic Board and are published as a schedule of approved teaching periods in appropriate official publications of the University.
testamur means the official certification document that confirms a qualification has been conferred.
thesis examination means the process used to assess the level of achievement in a thesis submitted as part or all of the requirements of a graduate research degree.
time-based study means courses or subjects which use time as the basic measurement of their duration.
Undergraduate Certificate is a higher education qualification of six months duration covered by an existing higher education qualification at AQF levels 5, 6, or 7. Course content is drawn from the existing higher education qualification, to ensure students have the option to transition to the AQF level 5, 6 or 7 qualification on completion of the Undergraduate Certificate.
undergraduate student means a student enrolled in a Bachelor degree or Bachelor Honours degree.
University or UTS means the University of Technology Sydney.
University Secretary means the officer of the University whose general responsibilities, among other things, include being both Secretary to Council and Academic Board.
vertically integrated degree: a vertically integrated degree course pairs courses at two different AQF levels (e.g a bachelor course and a master's course, or a bachelor course and a diploma course) to form an articulated two-part course leading to two awards.
working day means any day Monday to Friday inclusive except when one of those days is a public holiday in New South Wales or a day on which the University closes down for a holiday period such as Christmas as notified on the official noticeboard of the UTS website.
