Resolutions of the Faculty
Resolutions of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for coursework awards
These resolutions apply to all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework award courses in the Faculty, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Students enrolled in postgraduate research awards should consult the resolutions for their course. These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the resolutions for the course of enrolment, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Part 1: Course admission and enrolment
1 Admission to candidature
(1)
An applicant for admission to a performance course may be accepted on an audio visual recorded audition.
(2)
An applicant for admission to a postgraduate course may request permission for a final recital of a Sydney Conservatorium of Music performance award course to be used as the audition for admission to a higher degree performance award course, provided the recital takes place within six months of intended admission. The request must occur before the recital takes place. Approval for use of the final recital as an audition is required from the relevant Chair of Unit.
2 Course transfer within the Conservatorium
(1)
A student may apply to transfer from one Conservatorium course to another. Students wishing to transfer from one Conservatorium course to another (possible only at the beginning of a semester) must submit an application form at least two weeks prior to the commencement of semester to the Manager, Student Administration.
(2)
A student who wishes to transfer must meet the qualifications for admission to the desired course.
(3)
Students transferring between the Bachelor of Music course and Bachelor of Music Studies course may also transfer all units of study which have been successfully completed and which partially fulfil the requirements for the course into which they are transferring.
3 Credit for previous study
(1)
Maximum credit given for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework awards on the basis of prior tertiary study in incomplete awards are as follows:
(2)
Maximum credit given for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework awards on the basis of completed tertiary awards are as follows:
(a)
Four-year courses: a maximum of 64 credit points including a maximum of 28 credit points for study in disciplines other than music
(b)
Three-year courses: a maximum of 48 credit points including a maximum of 28 credit points for study in disciplines other than music
(3)
Students seeking credit for Principal Study are required to present a placement audition at the appropriate level.
4 Exemption
0.
Students may apply for exemption from individual units of study which are mandatory within their award course on the basis of previous study in an approved academic institution or on the basis of demonstrated ability. Applications for exemption may be approved by the Head of School on the recommendation of the relevant Chair of Unit. In cases where exemption is granted, students are exempted from the requirement but do not receive credit points towards the award in which they are enrolled.
5 Time limits
(1)
A student must complete all the requirements for a coursework master's degree within five calendar years of first enrolment.
(2)
A student must complete all the requirements for a graduate diploma within three calendar years of first enrolment.
(3)
A student must complete all the requirements for a graduate certificate within two calendar years of first enrolment.
(4)
A student must complete all the requirements for a bachelor's degree (including combined degrees) or undergraduate advanced diploma within ten calendar years of first enrolment.
(5)
The maximum time for completion of a Principal Study shall not include such periods of leave of exclusion. The requirements for Principal Study shall be completed within a period that does not exceed by more than two consecutive semesters the number of semesters laid down for that course under normal full-time enrolment.
(6)
The maximum time allowed for completion of a course shall include the approved leave of absence and/or periods of exclusion from the course.
6 Enrolment restrictions
(1)
The Coursework Rule limits the maximum number of credit points students may take in any given semester. The Faculty does not encourage full time students to exceed the recommended enrolment patterns for its courses.
(2)
Credit will not be granted for recognised prior learning older than 10 years at the time of first enrolment.
7 Suspension, discontinuation and lapse of candidature
(1)
The Coursework Rule specifies the conditions for suspending or discontinuing candidature, and return to candidature after these events. The Rule also defines the circumstances when candidature is deemed to have lapsed. Students should pay careful attention to the significant dates in these processes and their effect on results and financial liability.
(2)
In addition, candidates resuming study after any period of suspension or deferment, from a course or unit of study offered by the Conservatorium, shall be subject to the course requirements in effect at the time of resumption, shall be required to re-enrol as directed, and shall be required to pass a re-audition at a level determined by the appropriate Chair of Unit.
Part 2: Unit of study enrolment
8 Cross-institutional study
(1)
Provided permission has been obtained in advance, the Dean may permit a student to complete a unit of study at another institution and have that unit credited to the student's course requirements, provided that:
(a)
the resolutions of the student's course of enrolment do not specifically exclude cross-institutional study; and
(b)
the unit of study content is not taught in any corresponding unit of study at the University; or
(c)
the student is unable, for good reason, to attend a corresponding unit of study at the University; and
(d)
the total credit point value of units of study taken through cross institutional study does not exceed 28 credit points for the whole bachelor's degree, 12 credit points for the whole master's degree and 6 credit points for the whole graduate diploma and graduate certificate courses.
(2)
Cross institutional study is not normally available for undergraduate diploma or undergraduate advanced diploma courses.
(3)
Cross institutional study is regarded as another form of credit and will be counted as such when considering eligibility.
9 International exchange
0.
The Faculty encourages students to participate in international exchange programs, unless specified otherwise in the resolutions for a particular course. For more information refer to the International Office.
10 Undergraduates enrolling in postgraduate units of study
Part 3: Studying and Assessment
11 Late submission policy
(1)
It is expected that unless an application for Special Consideration has been approved, students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified. If the assessment is completed or submitted within the period of extension, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment.
(2)
If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as follows:
(a)
For work submitted after the deadline but up to three calendar days late, a penalty of 10 per cent of the possible marks awarded for the assignment will apply.
(b)
For work submitted after 3 days and less than one week after the deadline, a penalty of 15 per cent of the possible marks awarded for the assignment will apply.
(c)
For work submitted more than one week late but less than two weeks after the deadline, a penalty of 20 per cent of the possible marks awarded for the assignment will apply.
12 Attendance
(1)
Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.
(2)
Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.
(3)
In addition to the rule above, full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.
13 Special consideration for illness, injury or misadventure
0.
Special consideration is a process that affords equal opportunity to students who have experienced circumstances that adversely impact their ability to adequately complete an assessment task in a unit of study. The Coursework Rule provides full details of the University policy. The procedures for applying for special consideration are described in each unit of study outline.
14 Professional activity leave
0.
A student may be granted leave to participate in a musical or other activity which, in the opinion of the Pro Dean, is likely to benefit the student in the course. An Application for Professional Activity Leave shall be submitted by the student to the Student Administration Office at least four weeks prior to the activity in which the student wishes to participate. Retrospective approval for Professional Activity Leave shall be granted only in exceptional circumstances. A student who is granted Professional Activity Leave shall be required to make up any work required during the period of Professional Activity Leave, other than attendance at lectures, tutorials and other requirements during that period.
15 Concessional pass
16 Re-assessment
(1)
In this Faculty re-assessment is offered to students whose performance is in the prescribed range and circumstances.
(2)
Students who have failed the examination but have a good record in other assessments in a unit of study which is based on cumulative assessment may be offered a supplementary examination. The grade awarded for a unit of study in this circumstance will be no higher than a Pass.
(3)
Students who have successfully requested Special Consideration may be allowed to sit the exam or submit the required work at a negotiated date that should not be longer than the period of incapacitation and in any case not longer than 3 months after the original examination or submission date. After this time the student will be considered to have discontinued with permission. Marks will be awarded at full value for further examination where special consideration is approved.
Part 4: Progression, Results and Graduation
17 Satisfactory progress
(1)
The Faculty will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of their award course. Students identified as 'at risk' will be managed in accordance with the Progression provisions of the Coursework Rule.
(2)
A student shall be identified as 'at risk' if any of the following criteria are met in a semester:
18 Award of the bachelor's degree with honours
(1)
Honours is awarded in the following classes, and a single result is provided as an aggregated mark based on the Honours units of study the student has completed.
|
Description |
Mark Range |
|---|---|
|
Honours Class I |
mark = 80-100 |
|
Honours Class II (Division 1) |
mark = 75-79 |
|
Honours Class II (Division 2) |
mark = 70-74 |
|
Honours Class III |
mark = 65-69 |
|
Honours not awarded to a mark below 65 |
|
19 University medal
0.
A student with an honours mark of 90 or above may be awarded a university medal. The medal is awarded at the discretion of the faculty to the highest achieving students who in the opinion of the Faculty have an outstanding academic record, in accordance with the Coursework Rule.
20 Weighted average mark (WAM)
(1)
The University has a formula for calculating a Weighted Average Mark and this is defined in the University Glossary. WAMs are used by the University as one indicator of performance. For example, WAMs can be used in assessing admission to and award of honours, eligibility for prizes and scholarships, or assessing progression through a course.
Part 5: Other
21 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Students who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.