POLICY DOCUMENT Students Admissions Policy Prepared by: Carol Gibney Title: Accreditation Manager Approved by: Gilliane Burford Title: CEO Development date: 07/05/2014 Approval Date: 07/05/2014 Revision status Review No. Date Section Description May 2014 Page 1 of 9
Contents 1 Purpose... 3 2 Scope... 3 3 References... 3 4 Definitions and Abbreviations... 3 5 Responsibilities... 4 6 General Principles of Admission Requirements... 4 7 General Admissions Criteria for Vocational Education and Training Programmes... 4 7.1 Certificate IV and Diploma... 4 7.2 Advanced Diploma... 5 8 General Admissions Criteria for Higher Education Programmes... 5 8.1 Academic Achievement... 5 9 Provisional Admissions Criteria... 6 9.1 Application for Provisional Admission... 6 9.2 Conditions attached to Provisional Admissions... 6 9.3 Applicant Special Circumstances... 6 10 Students under 18 Years of Age... 7 11 English Language Requirements... 7 12 Application Process... 7 13 Conditions of Enrolment... 8 14 Student Induction... 8 15 Records... 8 May 2014 Page 2 of 9
1 Purpose makes admission accessible to students who demonstrate potential for success in tertiary study. The College is committed to ensuring its admissions policies and procedures are fair, transparent and ethical. The College encourages lifelong learning, including formal and informal learning. As a dual sector provider we provide applicant s the opportunity for admission to Vocational Education and Training as well as Higher Education study programmes with the opportunity to have relevant, previous learning considered in their application as outlined in the Skills Recognition Policy. The College shall take into account possible educational disadvantage when determining admission requirements. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have been disadvantaged in their education but who exhibit good academic potential. The College s admissions policy is the responsibility of the College Board of Governors. The Academic Committee has been delegated responsibility for the provision of advice on the policy to the College Board, and the authority for monitoring the performance of the implementation of the policy. The Academic Committee has resolved that selection criteria should be clearly expressed so that, as far as possible, decisions can be taken by administrative staff. 2 Scope This policy and procedure applies to all Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Bachelor qualifications offered by the College within the Australian Qualifications Framework. 3 References Skills Recognition Policy Student Code of Conduct 4 Definitions and Abbreviations Admissions Admissions means the process of applying for, being made an offer, accepting the offer of admission and being admitted to a bachelor degree programme of study at the College. This process is triggered by a candidate by submitting to the College a completed Enrolment Form this can be made in person, by post or online.. Applicant Applicant means a candidate who has applied to the College or its agent for admission to a bachelor degree programme of study at the College. Recognition of Prior Learning Recognition of prior learning (RPL) means credit towards a course in recognition of prior learning in another award course at the College or at another institution or relevant life experience. May 2014 Page 3 of 9
Mature Age Students A student who is entering tertiary studies for the first time, and who has attained at least 21 years of age on 01 February of the year of commencing studies. 5 Responsibilities The following personnel have responsibilities listed in this procedure: a) The Applicant b) Customer Services Officer c) Faculty Manager d) Academic Manager e) Administration Manager 6 General Principles of Admission Requirements Processes shall be in accord with the College s Mission Statement, Philosophy and Strategic Plans. The selection and admission of students shall be governed by the following overarching principles: Fairness Consistency Transparency Timeliness Merit Normal admission to the College is based on a combined range of factors, including merit, academic performance, and a student interview. The College recognises that some applicants are not able to demonstrate their full potential for success at tertiary level study through the normal qualifying examinations. The College, therefore, provides alternative means for such applicants to enter courses. The College shall take into account the educational disadvantage experienced by a particular applicant when determining selection and admission. The Academic Board has resolved that weightings applied to selection criteria must be made public and be the same for all applicants in a course. 7 General Admissions Criteria for Vocational Education and Training Programmes 7.1 Certificate IV and Diploma Applicants are required to have successfully completed Year 10 High School or possess equivalent study or life skills. To continue the course, all pre-requisites and co-requisites are also required to be met. May 2014 Page 4 of 9
7.2 Advanced Diploma Applicants are required to have successfully completed Year 12 High School or possess equivalent study or life skills. To continue the course, all pre-requisites and co-requisites are also required to be met. 8 General Admissions Criteria for Higher Education Programmes 8.1 Academic Achievement Applicants must provide evidence that demonstrates that he or she meets at least one of the following criteria to be considered for admission. Curriculum Vitae showing Education and Working History will be required to be submitted, together with certified copies of Academic Records. Such documents will be subject to verification by the College. Students entering Bachelor programmes must demonstrate they have successfully completed Year 12 High School Certificate relevant to their State or an equivalent qualification; or 7.1.1. hold a qualification from a recognised Australian higher education institution; or 7.1.2. have been accepted into a recognised Australian higher education institution; or 7.1.3. hold a qualification from a recognised VET provider qualification, either an Associate Degree, Associate Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma; or 7.1.4. have been accepted into a recognised VET provider qualification and satisfactorily completed one year full-time or equivalent of either an Associate Degree, Associate Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma; or 7.1.5. hold a completed Certificate IV qualification, having also successfully completed Year 11 or equivalent; or 7.1.6. have completed at least one year full-time or equivalent in a degree course at an Australian university; or 7.1.7. satisfied entry requirements specified under formal articulation arrangements determined by the Academic Board at the time of approving the arrangement which were designed to achieve comparability of admissions standards across the various student cohorts admitted to an award course; or 7.1.8. Has demonstrated to the Faculty or Academic Manager s satisfaction that he or she: 7.1.8.1. has good selection prospects as a student (for example, relevant work experience and motivation to study); and 7.1.8.2. Is not eligible to compete for admission based on the academic achievement criteria (7.1.1) to (7.1.7). May 2014 Page 5 of 9
7.1.8.3. Mature age students who have not completed Year 12 and who have relevant work or life experience that indicates they would be able to manage the level of course work required will be considered for admission on a case by case basis. 9 Provisional Admissions Criteria An applicant seeking admission who is unable to demonstrate that he or she satisfactorily meets the General Admission Criteria will be considered by the College for Provisional Admission. The Faculty or Academic Managers have the authority to admit an applicant under the terms of Provisional Admission Criteria. 9.1 Application for Provisional Admission An applicant should be aware that if he or she is being considered for Provisional Admission that he or she may be requested to: 9.1.1 Provide evidence that will demonstrate to the Faculty or Academic Manager s satisfaction that he or she has a reasonable likelihood of success in their studies with the College; and attend an interview with the Faculty or Academic Manager. 9.2 Conditions attached to Provisional Admissions 9.2.1 An applicant should be aware that conditions, as determined by the Faculty or Academic Manager, would normally be attached to a Provisional Admission such as 9.2.2 He or she may be required to undertake a reduced or part-time rather than a fulltime load. A regular full-time load is 5-6 units of study per semester; 9.2.3 He or she must attain the minimum pass grade in all units of study undertaken in the first 2 semesters of enrolment in the course; and/or 9.2.4 He or she must satisfactorily complete all English literacy requirements as described in Item 9. An applicant shall be advised of any conditions that apply to his or her provisional admission at the time of offer of admission in a course on a provisional basis. An applicant who has been admitted to a course on a provisional basis will have his or her academic progress reviewed at the end of each semester of enrolment and his or her provisional admission status reviewed at the end of the advised provisional admission period. 9.3 Applicant Special Circumstances An applicant s special circumstances shall be considered in the determining of Provisional Admission and the conditions of Provisional Admission, such as: May 2014 Page 6 of 9
9.3.1 Applicants who can demonstrate that they have experienced educational disadvantage due to circumstances beyond their control. These disadvantages could include: disabilities; serious or chronic illness; disrupted education; lack of support for study; serious family problems; and/or excessive family responsibilities; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in recognition of the past exclusion and current disadvantage likely to have been experienced. 10 Students under 18 Years of Age As a Higher Education Provider, are approved to enrol high school leaving age students. Although the college has no legal requirements or responsibilities to uphold regarding the enrolment of these students, the Department of Education and Training (DET) requires authorisation from the guardian (usually the parents) of a 15-17 year old student. If the person is of compulsory school age (refer to the Department of Education (DET) for current definition, however in 2013, it includes individuals who were born between the 1/1/1996 and 30/6/1997), then their parent / guardian will need to fill in a 'Notice of Arrangement' form, which can be downloaded from the DET website: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/participation/detcms/participation/participation/forms. The parent/guardian of the student needs to sign and complete the form and send it to the Department of Education. Once the Department of Education has reviewed it they will contact the college to discuss the details i.e. start date etc. The student would need to be under taking the course full time with the college. While it is the responsibility of the guardian to notify the Department of Education, it is s policy to notify any potential students (under the age of 18) of the requirement. will be contacted by the Curriculum Council by email periodically to confirm the status of any young people we have enrolled in the college. 11 English Language Requirements Higher Education applicants for whom English is an additional language must have an IELTS score of 6 (Academic). This level has been set to ensure the student will have the ability to successfully engage in study. At the discretion of the College, prospective students may be required to undertake an assessment of English language at their own cost. English test results must be no more than two (2) years old. 12 Application Process Our primary enrolment method is an interactive online system, accessible via our website at May 2014 Page 7 of 9
http://www.paramountcollege.edu.au/courses/enrol-online/, however application for enrolment forms are also available directly from the college. All application for enrolment methods are comprehensive, including personal details, disabilities, previous academic history and other information required by the Australian government. After receipt of the application, the student is considered for initial or ongoing enrolment. New enrolments are approved in accordance with this policy, while ongoing enrolment is approved according to pre- or co-requisites of the selected modules. Approved applicants are enrolled in the module for which they applied where positions are available. In the event that the class has reached capacity, the student is referred to the Faculty Manager to discuss alternative study options. Students will be emailed user names and passwords allowing them access to the Paramount College LMS. Confirmation of enrolment documents will be posted after the enrolment has been processed. 13 Conditions of Enrolment All enrolled students at are obliged to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. This is available for public viewing on our website under Policies and Procedures. http://www.paramountcollege.edu.au/policies-procedures/ All new students are required to attend the Study Skills Workshop and Referencing Workshop, both of which are offered face to face at the beginning of each semester. Those who cannot attend are required to complete both workshops online. These are available through Student Central on the LMS. 14 Student Induction Students are formally inducted when they commence with. When inducted, all students are charged to recognise the importance of The value of interactions between staff and students Personal Conduct, Grooming & Appearance Teamwork Responsibility to provide feedback Policies And Procedures, particularly Academic Excellence, including Cheating and Plagiarism Access and Equity Harassment College Orientation Learning and Education 15 Records Skills Recognition Policy Application Form for New Students May 2014 Page 8 of 9
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