High distinction

85 - 100

Work receiving a high distinction grade will exhibit the characteristic that it demonstrates very strong HDR thesis level performance (for the requisite thesis level) and/or confidence in thesis planning and execution, including but not limited to:
• its originality of thesis argument, methodological approach and analysis.
• its exhaustive or innovative research.
• its high proportion of publishable quality writing.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work receiving a distinction grade will generally exhibit high level attainment of or potential to reach all qualities relevant to the HDR thesis in question, but will have identified deficiencies that require to be rectified in order confidently to be assured of realising those qualities in the final thesis.

Credit

65 - 74

Work receiving a credit grade will generally reflect retention of confidence that a viable HDR thesis of the requisite standard is ultimately realisable, but that serious and potentially fatal deficiencies currently appear across one or more relevant thesis attributes, the rectification of which is vital.

Pass

50 - 64

Work receiving a pass grade will lack sufficient evidence of doctoral qualities or potential to achieve those standards in the future as to call for fundamental reconsideration, development of capacities or other quite major improvements in a thesis that on current indications is headed towards failure at assessment.  The pass grade is applied because the unit is a support seminar and the grade indications and other advice provided during the course are designed to enable the candidate to regain the qualities relevant to HDR level thesis work

Fail

0 - 49

A fail grade, which would effectively require repeating of the unit, and perhaps termination or suspension of candidature, is rarely ever considered.  Instead a very low pass grade is the preferred way of conveying that assessment to the candidate.