• Section 1 - Purpose
• Background
• Scope
• Section 2 - Policy
• Nomination Criteria
• Assessment of Nominations
• Multiple Nominations
• Number of University Medals
• Award of University Medal
• Confidentiality of Nominations
• Section 3 - Procedures
• Section 4 - Guidelines
• Section 5 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) To define the criteria for nomination and assessment of the award of a University Medal.

Background

(2) The University Medal is awarded to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence throughout their University studies.

Scope

(3) This Policy applies to all students at all campuses and locations of the University, together with all Academic and Professional staff involved in the University Medal nomination, assessment and conferral process.

Section 2 - Policy

Nomination Criteria

(4) Subject to the exemptions below, students will be eligible for nomination for the University Medal if they have:

1. completed at least 48 credit points of their studies at Macquarie University pre-2020, OR for students who commenced, continued or returned to study after 1 January 2020 at least 160 credit points at undergraduate level or 120 credit points at postgraduate level; and
2. met the requirements of, either:
   1. an undergraduate Bachelor Honours degree (AQF level 8), inclusive of double major / degree, whose standard duration is no less than four (4) years; or
   2. a Postgraduate course / program* (AQF level 9) and which can be shown to include a substantial piece of independent work; or
   3. a Master of Research course / program; and
3. demonstrated sustained excellence throughout their University studies; and
4. not been found responsible for serious misconduct in accordance with the University’s Student Discipline Rules and Student Discipline Procedure.

(5) *Note: in accordance with the Curriculum Architecture Policy, from 1 January 2020 ‘programs’ are known as ‘courses’.

(6) Students who have met the requirements of a Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil), a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or PhD are not eligible for nomination.

Assessment of Nominations

(7) The University Medals Committee will assess all eligible nominations and must consider:

1. the nominated student’s performance throughout their University studies, including their grades, Weighted Average Mark (WAM) / Grade Point Average (GPA), any prizes and awards, and assessor reports / comments for the substantial piece of independent work. The University Medals Committee may place greater weight on academic performance in later years or at a more advanced level; and
2. how the nominated student’s performance compares with their cohort; and
3. how the nominated student’s performance compares with prior University Medallists in the discipline.

Multiple Nominations

(8) Only in exceptional circumstances should more than one nomination be made from a cohort in any given discipline. In cases where more than one nomination is brought forward from a single discipline, justification must be provided.

Number of University Medals

(9) There is no limit to the number of University Medals that may be awarded each year. The University reserves the right not to make an award within any given discipline or to withdraw an award.

(10) A student may only be awarded the University Medal once for the same body of work.

Award of University Medal

(11) Nominations for the University Medal will be called for twice a year in alignment with mid-year and end of year completions.

(12) Medals will be awarded at the April and September graduation ceremonies.

Confidentiality of Nominations

(13) All nominations shall remain confidential. Students must not be informed of any nominations.

Section 3 - Procedures

(14) Refer to the University Medal Procedure.

Section 4 - Guidelines

(15) Nil.

Section 5 - Definitions

(16) Commonly defined terms are located in the University Glossary.