VUSSC/Defining course structure
Contents
Defining student learning hours and qualification structure
To facilitate international collaboration among participants, it is necessary to agree on a course structure measured in terms of student learning hours. Student learning hours include all activities required for successful completion of the course, module or unit, for example:
- Time to work through study guides
- Reading of prescribed materials
- Completion of learning activities
- Completion of assessment tasks
- Participation in online discussion forums
- Attendance of face-to-face tutorials and lectures (if required)
- Examination preparation
The qualification structure refers to the minimum number of study hours required for completion of a certificate, diploma or degree at a particular level of study.
A few international comparisons will be used as a starting point. Members of VUSSC will provide data on national requirements in their respective countries before reaching agreement on a generally accepted course structure.
International comparisons
Open University Malaysia
(ODL example)
Credit-based system where 1 credit is the equivalent of 40 study hours. A typical undergraduate course carries a credit weighting of 3 credits or 120 study hours.
| Qualification | Credits | Total study hours |
| Diploma | 90 | 3 600 |
| Bachelor with honours | 110 | 4 400 |
Examples
Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration (CEMBA)
(ODL example)
Credit based system where 1 credit equates to 20 student study hours. A degree course is typically 6 credits (120 study hours). The qualification provides two exit points at diploma and graduate diploma level. An undergraduate degree is required for admission.
| Qualification | Credits | Total study hours |
| Diploma | 48 (8 Courses) | 960 |
| Graduate diploma | 60 (10 Courses) | 1 200 |
| Masters degree | 90 (15 Courses) | 1 800 |
University of Auckland
Campus-based example
The New Zealand Ministry of Education's Guide to Tertiary Education Funding, January 2003, (Section 1.4.12, p.17), sets the standard measurement of total student learning hours in one academic year at 1200. Therefore, the full-time equivalent of one year's study at a campus-based institution is 1 200 hours. The NZVCC's Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) is the body that approves New Zealand qualifications under the Education Act. Student learning hours and course structure are determined by CUAP.
The University of Auckland uses a credit system where 1 credit is the equivalent of 10 study hours. Specifications are based on student learning hours as well as the number of courses required at different year-levels.
| Qualification | Credits | Total study hours |
| Certificate (Usually includes courses at Stages I and II) | 60 - 120 | 600 - 1 200 |
| Graduate certificate (More than half the courses must be above Stage I) | Minimum of 60 | Minimum of 600 |
| Graduate diploma | 120 (Minimum of 75 credits above Stage II) | 1 200 |
| Postgraduate certificate | Minimum of 60 (All credits must be above Stage III) | 600 |
| Postgraduate diploma | 120 (All credits must be above Stage III) | 1 200 |
| 3-year Bachelors degree | 270 | 2 700 |
| 4-year Bachelors degree | 360 - 405 | 3 600- 4 050 |
| Masters Degree (Admission requires 4-year degree, Honours or Postgraduate Diploma) | 120 | 1 200 |
- See University of Auckland Academic Programme Changes
Selected VUSSC examples
Number of learning hours for certificate course in VUSSC countries
- List country: Specify number of learning hours for a certificate programme.
