Resolutions of the Faculty
Resolutions of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery for coursework awards
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 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended), the University policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism and the Sydney Nursing School Clinical Policy.
Part 1: Course enrolment
1 English language proficiency requirements
(1)
Applicants who have completed an undergraduate course: an Australian Educational qualification equivalent to a completed NSW HSC or at least one year of full-time tertiary studies where the language of instruction and assessment is in English are deemed to have met English language requirements. Where an applicant does not meet this requirement, proof of English language proficiency will need to include:
(a)
an IELTS overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each band, or equivalent score in another recognised test; or
(b)
satisfactory completion of an appropriate course at the University's Centre for English Teaching within the past two years at the time of enrolment; or
(c)
a record of satisfactory achievement in secondary/tertiary studies in an English speaking country, or in a secondary/tertiary institution where the language of instruction was in English (i.e. where the applicant has completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time university study), within the past two years at the time of enrolment .
(d)
In addition, for pre-registration courses, external bodies such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency may specify additional English language proficiency requirements for professional registration.
The Academic Board Postgraduate English Language Requirements policy outlines English language requirements for admission to Postgraduate courses.
(2)
Applicants require an IELTS overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each band, or equivalent score in another recognised test completed in the two years prior to their application; or
(3)
successful completion of an appropriate course at the University's Centre for English Teaching in the two years prior to their application;
(3)
For admission to postgraduate courses, proof of English language proficiency may also be provided through a record of satisfactory achievement in tertiary studies in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English. The faculty defines satisfactory achievement as:
(b)
a degree of two or more years duration, completed no more than three years prior to commencement.
(4)
For admission to post-registration postgraduate courses, proof of English Language proficiency may also be provided by a record of current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a (Division 1) Registered Nurse and proof of current employment in this capacity at an appropriate health facility.
2 Clinical Requirements
(1)
Students may be required to complete professional experience (clinical placements) and laboratory sessions as prescribed by the Faculty.
(2)
New South Wales Ministry of Health, and other government agencies require students to comply with relevant policies prior to being given access to their facilities for clinical placements.
(3)
At the time of enrolment students will also need to sign a statement agreeing not to disclose personal information obtained during clinical placements relating to patients and staff employed by NSW Ministry of Health or other government and non-government services/agencies.
(a)
Students will be notified at the point of enrolment, of the policies with which they will be required to comply.
(b)
Students must demonstrate compliance with those policies by the Census Date. The Dean may grant an extension of time in exceptional circumstances.
(c)
Policies may be introduced or varied from time to time, and students will be notified of any new or varied obligations that result from policy changes, and will be required to comply with such changes as they occur.
3 Enrolment restrictions
(1)
Except as with the permission of the delegated academic a student may not enrol in units of study with a total value of more than:
(2)
Except as with the permission of the delegated academic a student may not enrol in units of study with a total value of less than 12 credit points in either semester one or two.
4 Suspension, discontinuation and lapse of candidature
0.
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.
5 Credit for previous study
(1)
The award of credit for previous study toward courses in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery will be consistent with the Coursework Rule. In addition:
(a)
Credit toward nursing units in the professional masters course will not be granted for recognised prior learning older than five years at the time of first enrolment.
(b)
Credit toward the graduate certificate, graduate diploma and advanced learning masters courses may be considered for recognised prior learning older than five years at the time of first enrolment provided the candidate can demonstrate ongoing experience within the discipline. Full credit will be granted for graduates of an award in an embedded program who become candidates for the higher award.
(c)
A student may be granted waivers in place of credit. In this case the student will be required to complete alternative units of study prescribed by the faculty.
(d)
Credit granted on the basis of work completed at an institution other than a university will not exceed one third of the course requirements. The exception is for clinically relevant Graduate Certificate completed at the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), where up to 24 units of credit may be granted, for a 48 credit point Graduate Diploma, or 60 credit point Master's Degree.
Part 2: Unit of study enrolment
6 Cross-institutional study
(1)
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:
(b)
the resolutions of the student's course of enrolment do not specifically exclude cross-institutional study; and
(c)
the unit of study content is not taught in any corresponding unit of study at the University; or
(d)
the student is unable, for good reason, to attend a corresponding unit of study at the University.
(2)
Cross-institutional study is another form of credit and this will be taken into consideration when considering eligibility.
7 International exchange
Part 3: Studying and Assessment
8 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 and may result in an Absent Fail for the unit of study. 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 100% of clinical placement activities and a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean. The Dean 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%.
9 Late submission policy
(1)
It is expected that unless Special Consideration or an extension has been granted, students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the specified due date. 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 seven calendar days late, a penalty of 2 per cent per day of the maximum mark awardable for the assignment will apply.
(b)
For work submitted after seven calendar days and less than two weeks after the deadline, a penalty of 5 per cent per day of the maximum mark awardable for the assignment will apply.
10 Special Consideration for illness, injury or misadventure
(1)
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.
(2)
Where students are unable to complete a clinical placement due to illness, injury or misadventure and Special Consideration has been granted, they will be required to make up all the missed time.
11 Re-assessment
(1)
The faculty does not offer opportunities for re-assessment other than on the grounds of approved Special Consideration.
(2)
Students who have successfully requested Special Consideration may be allowed to sit an exam or submit required work on an alternative date determined by the faculty. In normal circumstances, further sittings of end of semester examinations will be scheduled during the two weeks following the University's formal examination period. Students should be given at least three days notice of the timing of a test. Marks will be awarded at full value for re-assessment where Special Consideration is approved. Non-submission of work or non-attendance at exams by the agreed time will be considered a failure of the assessment item.
Part 4: Progression, Results and Graduation
12 Satisfactory progress
(1)
The faculty will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of their award course. In addition to the common triggers used to identify students not meeting academic progression requirements (as defined by the Progression requirements of the Coursework Rule), students must satisfy any requirements identified in the course resolutions as being critical to progression through the course.
(2)
In addition, students must meet all requirements of off-campus clinical placement components of any unit of study undertaken. Performance in clinical placements will be monitored in accordance with the faculty's Clinical Policy.
13 Clinical Requirements
(1)
Students must continue to comply with required NSW Ministry of Health and other relevant policies throughout their candidature.
(2)
Preregistration students must maintain Student Registration with the National Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia as outlined in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
(a)
A student who has conditions imposed on their registration as a student under this Law may be unable to make satisfactory progress in the award course and may be required to attend a Professional Standards Sub-Committee hearing. In cases where conditions imposed on registration prohibit the student from completing professional clinical placements, the student may be unable to make satisfactory progress in the award course and may need to show good cause as to why they should be permitted to continue with the degree.
(b)
A student who has their Student Registration removed by the National Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia may be unable to make satisfactory progress in the award course and may be required to discontinue their enrolment in the award course.
(3)
A student whose conduct is deemed to be unsatisfactory at any time during a clinical placement may have that placement terminated, may be failed in that unit of study by the Faculty, and may be required to attend a Professional Standards Sub-Committee hearing.
(4)
A student whose behaviour, performance or character is considered to be incompatible with the safe and professional practice of nurses and midwives, or commits any serious breach of the ethical standards required for the professional practice of nursing, or is convicted of an indictable offence, may be required to attend a Faculty Professional Standards Subcommittee hearing.
(5)
Where students are required to appear before the Professional Standards Sub-Committee, the committee may:
(a)
require the student to undertake units of study or clinical practice or other requirements in addition to the minimum credit point value for the degree; and/or
14 Weighted average mark (WAM)
0.
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
15 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2016 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2016 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Students who commenced prior to 1 January, 2016 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, 2021. The faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.