• Section 1 - Eligibility for an Award
• Section 2 - Completion of an Award
• Section 3 - Conferral of an Award
• Section 4 - Surrender of Awards
• Section 5 - Grading of Awards
• Section 6 - Testamurs
• Section 7 - University Medal
• Section 8 - Units Leading to an Accredited Award at Another Tertiary Institution
• Section 9 - Non-Award (Single unit) Enrolments

Section 1 - Eligibility for an Award

(1) Where the Academic Board (or Accreditation Committee as delegated) approves a change to the requirements for an award, the relevant School Board shall provide transitional arrangements that allow a student currently enrolled in the award course to satisfy the changed requirements for the award. Where these arrangements would cause hardship to a student or class of students, those students may complete the award as provided for in clause (2). The transitional arrangements shall be approved by Accreditation Committee.

(2) Subject to Rules Relating to Awards - Rule 2 - Coursework Awards - General Provisions, Section 7, a student shall be eligible for an award of the University upon having successfully completed the requirements for the award that were current at the time the student first enrolled in the award course.

(3) Subject to the provisions of Rules Relating to Awards - Rule 2 - Coursework Awards - General Provisions, Section 7 (clause (55), where the Academic Board approves a variation of the title of an award, a student may elect to complete the course bearing the title of the award applicable at the time the student first enrolled in the award course.

(4) Where the Council approves withdrawal of an award, a student enrolled in the award course shall be entitled to complete the course upon such terms as the Council deems reasonable in the circumstances.

(5) Unless the Rules for a specific award prescribe otherwise, a student proceeding to an award of the University may apply to exit with a lower level award from a related discipline area provided the requirements of the lower level award have been successfully completed.

Section 2 - Completion of an Award

(6) A student shall be deemed to have completed an award course at the time that the Chair of the Academic Board on behalf of the Board recommends to Council that the student is eligible for an award.

(7) A student who expects to complete an award at the end of the current study period shall complete the prescribed form to apply for the award and lodge it with the Director, Student Administration Services by the advertised closing date.

(8) A student who fails to complete a University award course as a result of death may be considered for a posthumous award. A student who fails to complete units in the final study period of an award course as a result of death or permanent incapacity may be considered for an aegrotat award.

1. An application for an aegrotat or posthumous award shall be made in writing by the student's immediate family, the Course Coordinator, or relevant Head of School to the Director, Student Administration Services. The application must be accompanied by relevant documentary evidence and demonstrate that but for the death (or permanent incapacity for an aegrotat award), the student was expected to complete their studies.
2. On receipt, the Director, Student Administration Services will notify the Chair of Academic Board. The Chair will have reasonable discretion towards investigating and determining whether the student would have been expected to complete their studies (or a different exit award permitted under the relevant course rules) and will:
   1. recommend Council confer an aegrotat or posthumous award accordingly; or
   2. decline to recommend Council confer an award.
3. Where the Chair of Academic Board declines to recommend conferral of an award, a Statement of Attainment may be awarded by the relevant School Board at its discretion.

(9) The decision to bestow an aegrotat or posthumous Award should take into account the wishes of the immediate family.

Section 3 - Conferral of an Award

(10) A student who has completed an award course and who is confirmed by the Chair of the Academic Board on behalf of the Board as being eligible for the granting of a specified award shall have the award conferred by the Council of the University at a designated graduation ceremony of the University.

(11) Where a student is eligible for conferral of an award but is not available to attend a designated graduation ceremony, the award shall be conferred 'in absentia'.

Conferral of Double Degrees

(12) In the case of graduation in a course leading to a double degree, the student will be presented with two testamurs for the respective degrees.

(13) Where both degrees are offered by the one School/College, the student:

1. will receive both degrees at the School/College Graduation ceremony;
2. will be listed in the graduation program twice (once under each degree to be conferred);
3. may elect to be called onto the stage twice to receive each testamur separately; and
4. will wear academic dress appropriate to that School/College.

(14) Where the degrees are offered by different School/Colleges, the student:

1. may elect to attend both School/College Graduation ceremonies and receive each degree separately; or
2. may elect to attend only one ceremony in which case the two degrees will be presented to the student together;
3. will be listed in two programs under each degree heading; and
4. will wear academic dress appropriate to the School/College's ceremony being attended. 

(15) A student who completes the requirements for the award of one of the degrees may not graduate with that award before fulfilling all the requirements of the course rules for the double degree. However, a student who while enrolled in a double degree course has completed the requirements for the award of one of the degrees may elect to be awarded that degree following withdrawal from candidature of the double degree award.

Section 4 - Surrender of Awards

(16) The Council of the University may revoke and require the surrender of an award of the University if it is satisfied that a graduate acted dishonestly in relation to any material matter relied upon by the University in determining the graduate's eligibility for that award.

Section 5 - Grading of Awards

(17) For a Doctoral degree, the award shall not be classified.

(18) For a Masters degree, the award shall not be classified.

(19) For a Graduate Diploma, the award shall not be classified.

(20) For a Graduate Certificate, the award shall not be classified.

(21) For an Honours degree, the award shall be classified as:

1. degree with First Class Honours; or
2. degree with Second Class Honours which may be graded into Division 1 and Division 2 in those Schools that require such grading; or
3. degree with Third Class Honours, which may be awarded in those Schools that require such grading.

(22) A student's overall result will determine the class of Honours awarded. The following percentage thresholds will be used to determine the class of Honours awarded.

(23) Students that receive a final overall mark of 0%-49% will receive a fail.

(24) For a degree for which the award of Honours is available, the award may be classified as:

1. degree with First Class Honours; or
2. degree with Second Class Honours, which may be graded into Division 1 and Division 2 in those Schools that require such grading; or
3. degree.

(25) For a degree for which the award of Honours is not available, the award shall not be classified.

(26) For an Associate Degree or Diploma the award shall not be classified.

Section 6 - Testamurs

(27) The number of testamurs for each category of degree as approved by the Academic Board shall be as follows:

1. Single degrees: one testamur
2. Double degrees: two testamurs
3. Combined degrees: one testamur
4. Cross-School degrees: one testamur
5. Cross-institutional degrees: one testamur.

Section 7 - University Medal

(28) University Medals are awarded by the University to students who have completed the requirements of a Bachelor Honours degree with first class honours, and who have demonstrated an exceptional standard of academic achievement.

1. A University medal may be awarded to a graduating student who has:
   1. completed the requirements for a Bachelor degree of the University or other accredited higher education provider; and
   2. been awarded a Bachelor Honours degree with first class Honours by the University; and
   3. completed at least one year of full time study or part-time equivalent at the University in the course leading to the award of Honours, including all unit comprising the research component of the Honours award; and
   4. achieved a Grade Point Average of at least 6.5 for the units comprising the non-research component of the Honours award, including those in the associated Bachelor award, whether studied at the University or another institution; and
   5. achieved a grade of High Distinction in all the units comprising the research component of the Honours award; and
   6. not received a fail grade in any unit in the award relevant to the nomination, except in documented exceptional circumstances.
2. If a student studies more than one award they are eligible to be considered for a University Medal for each testamur.
3. A student is ineligible for the award of a University medal if the student has been found guilty, by a delegated authority of the University, of a breach of Rules – Student Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct Rules.
4. Subject to (28)e and (28)f, the Grade Point Average will be calculated in accordance with the Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 3 – Coursework Awards – Student Assessment and Examinations.
5. The results of a student's first 0.5 years full time study (or part time equivalent) of the relevant degree may be excluded from the Grade Point Average calculation if it benefits the student's eligibility for the award of the University Medal.
6. For the avoidance of doubt clause (28)e does not apply if a student has been awarded advanced standing for the relevant degree.
7. In cases where a student has completed more than the required number of units for the award for which they have been nominated, the highest grades will be used in the calculation of Grade Point Average.
8. The decision of Academic Board for award of the University Medal is final within the University.

Section 8 - Units Leading to an Accredited Award at Another Tertiary Institution

(29) A student who is enrolled in a course leading to an award at another tertiary education institution may enrol in units at Southern Cross University which will count towards that award, subject to the joint approval of the two institutions and to the availability of class places at Southern Cross University.

(30) A student admitted under clause (29) shall be enrolled as a cross-institutional award student.

(31) A cross-institutional award student shall pay such fees and charges as are agreed between the two institutions and enrolment shall be subject to the University's Rules Relating to Awards, except for the Rules Relating to Awards - Rule 2 - Coursework Awards - General Provisions, Section 10 - Exclusion.

Section 9 - Non-Award (Single unit) Enrolments

(32) Non-Award study relates to individuals who are enrolled in units of study which are not being studied as part of a course. Subject to a place being available, the Director, Student Administration Services may admit students to study a particular unit or units on a fee-paying basis. Admission into units will be on an open-entry basis but an offer of admission into subjects beyond introductory units will require the Director, Student Administration Services to provide the applicant with advice on the level and normal prerequisites for the subject.

(33) Where a non-award (single unit) student subsequently enrols in an award course, the University's academic requirements and Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy applies.

(34) A senior secondary school student may be considered for admission as a non-award student to undertake one or more units offered by the University concurrently with secondary school studies upon the recommendation of the applicant's School Principal on grounds of exceptional academic talent, and approval of the relevant Head of School.

(35) A non-award (single unit) student shall pay such fees and charges as are prescribed in the Fees, Charges and Sanctions Rule.