Accreditation 21 October 2021

Course accreditation

Report on application for accreditation of one higher education course of study by Sheridan College Inc.

On 21 October 2021, a delegate of TEQSA rejected, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the application by Sheridan College Inc. for accreditation of the following course:

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was not satisfied that the course submitted by Sheridan College Inc. complies with the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Standard 1.4.1 of Part A, in relation to the lack of demonstrated consistency between the specified unit learning outcomes and the level of the qualification awarded.
2. Standards 1.4.3 and 1.4.4 of Part A, in relation to:
   
   1. The failure of the constructive course alignment to demonstrate how the methods of assessment are consistent with, and demonstrate achievement of, Honours level learning outcomes upon completion of the course as distinct from Bachelor level learning outcomes.
   2. The application documentation inadequately demonstrating how all specified units of study within the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) course will contribute to, and confirm achievement of, Honours level learning outcomes as distinct from Bachelor level learning outcomes.
   3. The embedded structure of the course, as evidenced in the application documentation, and the extent to which it adequately ensures that learning outcomes are consistent with both Bachelor and Bachelor Honours qualification levels and therefore that the grades awarded reflect the respective levels of student attainment.
3. Standard 1.5.3 of Part A, based on the lack of differentiation between Bachelor and Bachelor Honours unit learning outcomes, and the extent to which the specified unit learning outcomes can be considered consistent with the higher expectations inherent in the Bachelor Honours level classification in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
4. Standards 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of Part A, as it is not evident that the course content and learning activities engage with the advanced knowledge and inquiry consistent with an AQF level 8 qualification, nor that the arrangement of teaching and learning activities will foster progressive and coherent achievement of the AQF level 8 course learning outcomes as they are shared with the AQF level 7 Bachelor of Laws course.
5. Standards 5.1.2 and 5.1.3 of Part A, given the absence of consideration of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) course by the Academic Council as part of Sheridan's internal course approvals process, which indicates the course may have not been subject to the required overarching academic scrutiny that ensures course approval process were applied consistently to the LLB (Hons) and is competent to assess the design, delivery and assessment of the course.