Regulation 5.4.1 - Assessment and academic progress

1. This regulation applies to all students, including students enrolled as a candidate for a higher degree by research.

2. Coursework programs and the coursework components of higher degree by research programs

2.1 Every course includes assessment.

2.2 The assessment will be in such written, oral or practical form or forms as the relevant College or the School of Graduate Research may prescribe.

2.3 For each course the College or the School of Graduate Research will make available to students course guides that provide information on assessment as prescribed in the relevant policy or procedure.

2.4 Where a student believes that:

(a) they were, or will be, prevented from attending or completing any form of assessment by the prescribed time, or

(b) that their performance in any form of assessment has been severely affected by illness or other cause,

the student may apply through the relevant application system to the Academic Registrar for an assessment adjustment in accordance with the relevant policy or procedure.

2.5 Each school will establish:

(a) course assessment committees, which will be responsible for monitoring and managing the assessment and results outcomes for individual courses managed by the school; and

(b) program assessment boards, which will be responsible for monitoring and managing student academic performance at the program level, including making recommendations to the dean/head of school for the exclusion of students who have had sustained unsatisfactory academic progress.

2.6 A student may appeal against a decision under:

(a) section 2.5(a) to the College Appeals Committee;

(b) sections 2.4 or 2.5(b) to the University Appeals Committee,

in accordance with the relevant Regulation.

3. The research component of higher degree by research programs

3.1 The research component will be assessed via external, independent examination.

3.2 The research component will be in such written, oral or practical form or forms as the School of Graduate Research may prescribe.

3.3 Where, due to compassionate or compelling circumstances, a student believes that they will be prevented from attending or completing any presentation relating to their research examination, the student may apply in writing to the higher degree by research coordinator in their school for a postponement of the presentation.

3.4 Each school will establish research candidature milestone review panels which will be responsible for monitoring and managing the research thesis/project progress of the student towards their timely completion of the program.

3.5 The progress of students will also be formally monitored and documented at the regular meetings students have with their supervisors.

3.6 Each College will establish research candidate progress committees which will be responsible for monitoring and managing student performance in the program, including deciding whether a student’s candidature should be terminated where the student is classified as having established unacceptable academic progress.

3.7 A student may appeal against a decision under:

(a) Section 3.4 to the RMIT Research Committee in accordance with the relevant policy or procedure;

(b) Section 3.6 to the University Appeals Committee in accordance with the relevant Regulation,

4. The Academic Board determines a schedule of grades.

Related statute

Statute 5.4 – Academic progress

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