DEAKIN UNIVERSITY Advice on ranking HDR applicants for scholarships in the 2013 International or 2 qualifications that are demonstrably equivalent to a bachelors degree with first class honours H1 equivalent This is discussed in the section below In the absence of an actual first class honours degree there must be independent and verifiable evidence of equivalence to first class honours The Faculty must present a case in writing to support the claim for equivalence to first class honours Qualifications for which it may be possible to make a case for equivalence to first class honours include masters degrees by research coursework masters degrees with a substantial research component graduate diplomas with honours The factors which may be considered in determining H1 status as well as the score are Has the applicant completed a first class Australian honours degree or equivalent qualification Grades achieved Did the qualification include a thesis based on original research and how substantial was the document e g 20 000 words completed over one semester Quality of thesis examination reports Applicant s rank within class Academic awards prizes scholarships special recognitions Strength of the two academic referee reports Only reports on the Deakin referee report form will be considered If the information provided is not adequate Faculties are encouraged to contact the nominated referees directly prior to returning ranking sheets to Deakin Research Research related coursework undertaken e g research methods Any special considerations The School of Education does not offer an honours program and has developed a structured approach to entry to the PhD program via masters by coursework which has been accepted by the Research and Research Training Committee The following cases are accepted as honours equivalents H1 A High Distinction for the main research paper plus a Distinction in four coursework credit points which must include research methodology or a High Distinction for a four credit point research paper H2A A Distinction for the main research paper plus a Distinction in three coursework credit points which must include research methodology or a Distinction for a four credit point research paper H2B A Credit for the main research paper plus a Credit in four coursework credit points which must include research methodology or a Credit for a four credit point research paper Procedures for ranking research scholarships 2013 scholarship rounds 4 In the case of applicants who do not hold a first class honours degree but who have commenced higher degree by research candidature satisfactory progress in this candidature does not constitute evidence of first class honours equivalence The maximum score is 40 for an applicant with international or domestic qualifications This score may need to be adjusted if the applicant has not had an opportunity to gain research experience see 3 2 below The scoring scheme for applicants with domestic qualifications who have an actual Honours degree is as follows High H1 maximum 35 up to 5 for undergraduate record Mid H1 maximum 25 up to 5 for undergraduate record Low H1 maximum 15 up to 5 for undergraduate record H2A maximum 5 up to 5 for undergraduate record Additional points can be gained under 3 2 below for research experience and output where relevant 2 Research experience and publications relative to opportunity Research experience and publications must be scored relative to the opportunity available to an applicant The maximum score is 20 We recognise that an applicant who has recently completed their studies may have had limited or no opportunity to gain experience or produce publications In these cases a zero weighting should be given to this section and the following multipliers applied to the academic merit score Applicant with international qualifications X up to 1 67 Applicant with domestic qualifications X up to 1 5 This multiplier should be used to determine an initial ranking and discretion used thereafter in adjusting the score to ensure it is applied equitably Factors which may be taken into account in assessing an applicant under this category include Research experience e g laboratory experience special research projects undertaken within a professional research environment previous research grants extent of applicant s contribution Research outputs number of quality research publications particularly those that relate to the proposed research topic e g refereed journal articles conference presentations creative works If the evidence includes publications with several authors the contribution of the applicant must be clearly identified Professional experience length of time seniority how it relates to the proposed research topic 3 Alignment with strategic research priorities Faculties are asked to indicate whether the proposed research project aligns with one of the following University Strategic Research Centre or Research Institute Faculty Research Centre School