Re-accreditation 25 September 2014

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of six higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

TEQSA has determined, under Section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to renew accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (MIT) for a period of three years until 25 September 2017:

• Diploma of Information Technology
• Diploma of Business
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Networking
• Graduate Diploma of Networking
• Master of Networking

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed one condition on the accreditation of the Master of Networking offered by MIT:

Condition 1:

MIT must not confer the Master of Networking on any person who commences the Master of Networking on or after the date on which MIT is provided notice of this decision, unless that person has successfully completed both of the following subjects: MN691 Research Methods and Project Design and MN692 Capstone Project.

Background to Decision

Melbourne Institute of Technology Pty Ltd submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of six courses of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self- accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 56(4) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for Decision

TEQSA has determined that the six higher education courses of study submitted by MIT for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. TEQSA considers there is sufficient risk of future non-compliance with the Threshold Standards that requires an accreditation period shorter than the maximum seven years permitted.

TEQSA considered that the breadth of risks that MIT may not meet the Threshold Standards, and the potential for those issues to impact upon the experience of students, meant that a registration period of three years rather than the maximum seven years was appropriate. This shorter period will allow TEQSA to review MIT's progress in addressing these issues before a further decision is made about the accreditation of these courses. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

TEQSA considers there to be broad issues relating to the courses that include its capacity to ensure the robustness of scholarship and teaching and learning, the extent to which the academic standards achieved by students is benchmarking, student progression including the monitoring of, and action taken to improve student outcomes and trends and support for students at risk of not progressing academically.

These matters relate to Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS) 4.2, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6.

In addition to matters listed above relating to all courses, there is a specific risk that the Master of Networking may not meet the corresponding AQF specifications for the relevant award level, as required by the Qualification Standards and PCAS 1.1, 1.3 and 1.7.

In accordance with subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

TEQSA considered that these decisions are consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as MIT is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect MIT's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.