Effective 01 January 2019

Intent

The Policy sets out the University’s requirements for students to achieve satisfactory academic progress in order to complete their course in accordance with the applicable Award requirements stipulated in the University Course and Subject Handbook.

Principles

1. The student is responsible for achieving satisfactory academic progress and complying with all Award requirements, including completing their course within the maximum allowable time.
2. The University is responsible for monitoring students who are at risk of not achieving, or have not achieved, academic progression requirements and offering support to help the student meet their Award requirements.
3. Academic progression decisions are based on academic criteria.
4. In its approach to identifying and supporting students not achieving academic progression requirements, the University will adhere to the principles of procedural fairness and be equitable, consistent, transparent, respectful of privacy and timely.
5. Application of this policy aims to ensure that students achieve:
   • standards of academic integrity of the course and the University; and
   • professional standards of practice as determined by relevant regulatory professional bodies.

Scope

This policy applies to all students admitted to undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and Pathway Courses and programs offered by James Cook University (JCU) in Australia, Singapore, and via JCU Online.

This policy does not apply to students admitted to postgraduate research, International Study Abroad inbound, Exchange inbound, cross institutional inbound or non-award courses (with exception of non-award Pathway Courses).

Definitions

Except where otherwise indicated in this policy, the definitions used in this policy are found in the Policy Glossary.

Award Requirements: means the rules pertaining to each course offered by the University as outlined in the Course and Subject Handbook for the specific version of the course in which the student is admitted.

Conditions: means the specific requirements which a student who has not achieved satisfactory academic performance must meet if they wish to continue their enrolment in the course in subsequent teaching periods.

Exclusion: where a student is not permitted to continue their course, nor transfer to a course with the same inherent requirements.

Maximum Time to Complete:  The maximum time permitted for a student to meet the Award requirements as articulated in the Course and Subject Handbook, or in the case of International Students, the expected course duration specified on their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

National Code: National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 are legislative standards that set out requirements for providers to overseas students studying onshore in Australia on a student visa in accordance with the Educational Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.

Pathway Courses: non-award courses that facilitate pathways to higher learning admission requirements, refer to current Pathway Courses.

Procedural Fairness: The processes used by a decision maker to ensure that the decision is just and fair.

Professional Placement: pending Professional Placement Procedure

Suspension: where a student is not permitted to continue enrolment in their course for a defined period of no greater than 12 months.

Policy

1. Students must achieve satisfactory academic performance requirements.
2. The requirements for satisfactory academic performance are:

• pass all core subjects; and
• maintain a course Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.00 or above; and,
• pass more than 50% of completed credit points.

3. The University requires students to:
   • be familiar and comply with relevant university policies, procedures, award requirements, and subject outlines;
   • make genuine attempts to achieve passing results;
   • seek and engage with academic support offered by the University when required and particularly if academic performance falls below satisfactory academic performance  requirements; and
   • consider seeking assistance from personal support services, including those offered by the University.
4. Where a student fails to achieve satisfactory academic performance requirements, conditions, suspension or exclusion will apply in accordance with the Unsatisfactory Academic Performance Procedures.
5. A student’s academic performance will be assessed at the end of each Teaching Period, and can be reviewed at any time during the course.
6. The University will monitor students’ academic performance and identify, communicate with and support students who are at risk of not achieving, or have not achieved, satisfactory academic performance requirements, in accordance with the Unsatisfactory Academic Performance Procedures and Student Support Policy.
7. The University will monitor the academic progress of students studying in Australia on a student visa, as defined under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000, in accordance with the National Code (2018).
8. The University will articulate what the student must achieve to comply with overall Award requirements, including requirements of professional and accredited programs.
9. A student who does not meet and maintain post admission requirements for a course which requires professional placement, as outlined in the Award requirements, will have their course progression considered in accordance with the Professional Placement Requirements Procedure.
10. The University will monitor students’ academic progress and identify, communicate with and support students who are at risk of not completing their course within the maximum time to complete, in accordance with the Maximum Time to Complete Procedure and Student Support Policy.
11. A student who is unable to complete their course within the maximum time, as stated in the Course and Subject Handbook, will be notified and withdrawn from their course in accordance with the Maximum Time to Complete Procedure.
12. A student who receives notification of conditions, suspension, exclusion or withdrawal has the right to appeal in accordance with the Student Appeals Policy and Procedure.

Related policy instruments

Unsatisfactory Academic Performance Procedure

English Language Progression Procedure (working title, under development)

Maximum Time to Complete Procedure

Professional Placement Requirements Procedure (under development)

Student Code of Conduct

Student Support Policy (under development)

Unsatisfactory Academic Performance – Student Support Procedure (under development)

Student Appeals Policy

Student Appeals Procedure

Related documents and legislation

Administration

NOTE: Printed copies of this policy are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History