Student Assessment and Grading

Like most universities in Australia, including our partner university, Macquarie University,  ICMS uses grades of High Distinction (HD), Distinction (D), Credit (Cr), Pass(P) or Fail (F) to indicate the level of student achievement in each subject.

The following  reflect the general level of performance in a subject needed to achieve each grade described below:

• High Distinction (HD)
  Work of outstanding quality on all learning objectives of the subject.
• Distinction (D)
  Work of superior quality on all learning objectives of the subject.
• Credit (Cr)
  Work of good quality showing more than satisfactory achievement on all learning objectives of the subject.
• Pass (P)
  Work showing a satisfactory achievement on all learning objectives of the subject.
• Satisfactory (S)
  Used for units with a Pass/Fail assessment. There are no grade points associated with such units unless the cumulative GPA is < 2.0 in which case a Grade Point of 2.0 is allocated and the GPA recalculated.
• Fail (F)
  Work showing an unsatisfactory achievement on one or more learning objectives of the subject.

Under certain circumstances the following grade designations are used:

• Fail Requirements (FR)
  Awarded where a student fails to complete all requirements of the unit such as not submitting all assessment items, falling below the required attendance level, displaying unacceptable conduct in class or breaching the assessment regulations, and cannot complete these requirements. (Unit requirements are clearly outlined in the scheme of work for each unit). A FR grade is a fail and the unit must be repeated.
• Fail Withdrawn (FW)
  Awarded where a student withdraws from a unit after the census cut-off date.
• Withheld (W)
  Awarded where a grade is withheld pending completion of certain non-academic requirements (for example failure to pay College fees).
• Incomplete (I)
  Awarded where a student has approval for late completion of the academic requirements for a unit.
• Continuing Unit (X)
  Awarded where the unit is a part of a continuing sequence. X indicates that a final grade will be awarded after completion of the sequence. Used only for the first term of Industry Training.

Academic Progress

ICMS monitors each student’s academic progress and identifies poorly performing students so that support may be provided to improve academic performance.

The cumulative GPA (cGPA) achieved by a student determines his or her academic status.

Academic status can be:

• Good standing (cGPA > or = 2.00)
  Student making satisfactory progress
• At risk (GPA < 1.99 in any one term)
  Student failed one or more units of study. Identified as being at risk of unsatisfactory academic progress. Intervention program required.
• Conditional enrolment (GPA < 1.00 in any one term )
  Student failed more than 50% of units studied. Student placed on conditional  enrolment and referred to a program of  academic support
• Unsatisfactory academic progress (GPA < 1.00 over two consecutive terms)
  Student asked to show cause why they should not be excluded from the course. An excluded student may not re-enrol for at least 2 terms.

The cumulative GPA is recorded on the student’s academic transcript together with his/her academic status at the conclusion of each term.

Where fewer than four subjects are studied in a term, the GPA Status is not recorded on the transcript and the student’s academic status is determined on a case by case basis by the Academic Director.

ICMS recognises that there can be extenuating circumstances for poor performance and students who are deemed to be making unsatisfactory academic progress have a right of appeal.

International Students

ICMS is obliged by law to report all excluded students to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). A student notified of the College’s intention to exclude him/her for unsatisfactory academic progress, and report his/her exclusion to DIAC, will have 20 working days from the date of notification to access the ICMS Appeals and Grievances Process. During these 20 working days a student will remain an enrolled student.