General Course Requirements (Degrees & Diplomas)
Students For Whom English Is A Second Language
International Students pursuing Undergraduate Studies at the MCD need to have achieved an average International English Language Test Score (IELTS) of at least 6.5, with no band under 6.0.
International students pursuing Graduate and Postgraduate Studies at the MCD need to have achieved an average International English Language Test Score (IELTS) of at least 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in each area. In the MCD office, overseas student matters are the responsibility of the MCD Registrar, and are administered by the MCD Quality and Compliance Officer.
Introduction To Tertiary Studies In Theology
AM1000: Introduction to Tertiary Studies in Theology will be offered in 2012. This unit is offered for one and a half hours per week in the first semester, and is strongly recommended for students who have not previously done tertiary study. No fee is charged.
Study Load
The workload of an undergraduate student shall be a maximum of four (4) units per semester. This is a BTheol regulation. Any exception to this requirement must be approved by the Academic Dean. As a guide to students and lecturers, YTU accepts a system of demand hours. One class hour is considered as requiring two hours of private study for undergraduate students and three hours of study for graduate and postgraduate students.
Attendance At Lectures And Tutorials
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is required. Attendance at the first lecture is particularly important. Students unable to attend a lecture must bring this to the attention of the lecturer, preferably before the lecture.
Students who miss the equivalent of two weeks of class should make arrangements with the lecturer for supplementary work if they wish to satisfactorily complete the unit.
Assessment
MCD Coursework Studies Committee advises the following regarding assessment:
| First Level | receipt of early feed-back via a piece of work not substantially counting towards assessment; assessment of more than one piece of work including a component under formal examination conditions; written work not in excess of 4,000 words. |
| Second Level | written work requirement is 4,000—5,000 words. |
| Third Level | written work requirement is 5,000—6,000 words |
| Graduate Level | written work requirement is 6,000 words, with at least two pieces of assessment. |
| Postgraduate Level | written work requirement is normally one 6000 word essay. |
Each student will be assessed in the manner indicated in the particular unit outlines in this Handbook, and in accordance with MCD regulations where appropriate.
Results are published according to the following grades for all MCD degrees:
| High Distinction | = | 85% + |
| Distinction | = | 75% — 84% |
| Credit | = | 65% — 74% |
| Pass | = | 50% — 64% |
| Fail | = | 0% — 49% |
| W | = | Withdrawal |
Assessment Registration
In the first three weeks of the semester, students can withdraw from assessment without penalty. (No mark will appear on their record.)
Up to four weeks before the last day of lectures in each semester, students can withdraw from assessment and they will be marked ‘W’ on their official transcript. Those who withdraw after this date will normally be marked ‘F’ (Fail).
Assignments
Assignments must be presented in the format prescribed in the Style Sheet on pages 184-191 od the 2012 YTU Handbook. They must be submitted by the date determined by the lecturer. The last day for assignments to be handed in is the last day of the examination session at the end of each semester. Any extension of time must be requested from the lecturer at least two days before the date on which the assignment is due.
Students should keep a second copy of all assignments submitted. Students should keep copies of all written work for at least three months because all written materials that contribute toward assessment in degree units must be available for possible inspection by a second examiner outside YTU.
All essays and assignments must be submitted with an official cover-sheet — available outside the Academic Dean’s office.
No assignments will be accepted by the office fax or email.
Extensions Of Time
A lecturer’s extension may be granted for up to two weeks within the semester, if application is made before the due date of the assignment, and on adequate grounds. Any extension beyond the examination period must be approved by the Academic Dean. The extension is recorded as an “E“on the student’s transcript. Other than in exceptional circumstances, as approved by the Academic Dean of the RTI, students with this designation are required to complete the assigned requirements within 28 days of the conclusion of the examination period.
If a student has not sought an extension but still hands in a piece of work after the due date, and the lecturer accepts the late work, a penalty will be enforced as follows:
- Work submitted up to one week late without an official extension will normally have its recorded grade reduced by one level (e.g. Distinction to Credit), though such work passed by one examiner must have a Pass grade recorded.
- Work submitted later than one week but up to one month late without an official extension is normally awarded a Pass grade only, unless it fails to reach a Pass standard.
- For work submitted later than one month or on the last day of semester without an official extension, a Fail grade is normally recorded.
Examinations
Unmarked and unannotated copies of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) or the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) must be used for all examinations in Biblical Studies.
Students For Whom English Is A Second Language.
Students for whom English is a second language may take extra time for each written examination. In the first year of study, students are allowed fifty percent extra time. In subsequent years of study, students are allowed twenty five percent extra time. Such students may take a dictionary into the examination.
