Assessment Procedures
Grading System
In common with other Recognised Teaching Institutions of the MCD, grades are given according to the following system –
HD = High Distinction = 85% +
D = Distinction = 75% - 84%
C = Credit = 65% - 74%
P = Pass = 50% - 64%
F = Fail
Pp = Pass where marked on Pass/Fail basis only
W = Withdrawn
E = Extension
Student Right of Appeal Regarding Failure
Appeal procedures are outlined on the MCD website
A failed candidate shall have the right of appeal to the Board of Studies if he/she claims an injustice has been done, and the Board shall usually refer the appeal in the first place to the Chair of the Board of Examiners who shall consult with the examiners concerned and shall report to the Board.
Candidates shall have the right of appeal against a non-failing grade. The appeal shall be lodged with the Registrar of the Recognised Teaching Institution concerned who will refer the matter to the first and second examiners of the unit. The examiners will confer and make a joint recommendation to the RTI. In the event of a disagreement between the examiners the matter shall be referred to the Chair of Examiners in the Field whose decision shall be final.
Your rights as an MCD student
UFT students enrol in the academic awards of the Melbourne College of Divinity. The MCD advises that its students have the following rights:
First, you have the right to privacy. All personal information, which you give the MCD (including your RTI or college) will be treated in confidence, and only used for the purpose for which it was given. Office staff are careful with your file computer database entries, which are only accessed by people who are entitled to do so – for example, lecturers having a class list with names and emails. No one associated with the MCD is permitted to share your personal information with anyone not entitled to it.
Secondly, you have the right to the highest standards of teaching and learning. In order to protect the high academic standing of your MCD degree or diploma, all forms of cheating, plagiarism or other academic fraud (including illegitimate use of internet resources) is strictly forbidden, and anyone found engaging in them faces serious consequences. To assist with this, you are required to state on each assignment that it is your own work.
Thirdly, you have the right to be treated fairly in all academic and administrative matters. If you have a grievance about an administrative procedure or academic issue, you have five working days (longer for some serious matters) to lodge a complaint with the dean of your RTI, or with the MCD Registrar. You will not be disadvantaged by doing this, and in most cases can expect a resolution within ten working days.
Fourthly, you have the right to be safe, and to feel safe, in MCD environments. Harassment in any form – spiritual, sexual or discriminatory (e.g. on the grounds of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, theological outlook) – is wrong, and not permitted. Procedures are in place to deal promptly with situations, which may arise. Each college has student, staff and faculty Peer Contact Officers (PCOs), available to be contacted in confidence if you feel harassed. The names and contact details of the PCOs in your RTI can be found elsewhere in this Handbook, or on its website.
Finally, once you have commenced a degree or diploma with the MCD, you are assured that MCD educational and financial resources are in place to see you through to its completion. If the highly unlikely situation arises that the MCD cannot deliver a course for which you have paid fees, these will be refunded, or you can transfer to another provider, nominated for this purpose by the MCD.
Detailed policies and procedures governing these matters can be found on the MCD website, www.mcd.unimelb.edu.au under ‘Policies for MCD student well-being’.