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LEVELS AND
CREDIT POINTS EXPLAINED |
Tabor College’s system of levels does not correspond to systems
of levels used in many other colleges or Higher Education Providers.
In Tabor College’s system of levels, modules in most of the College’s Certificate I and
Certificate II courses are level 1 modules; modules in the College’s Certificate III,
Certificate IV and Diploma courses are level 2 modules; modules in the College’s
Bachelor
degree courses are level 3 modules.
Within levels, modules may build on one another in stages. This is indicated by the
"100-200-300-400-500" staging system (see
Academic Terminology - Module Staging).
A more detailed description of the College’s system of levels is given below.
Level 1
A standard semester module at level 1 entails about 64 hours of work in total and is worth 2
credit points. A standard term module at this level, entailing 32 hours of work, is worth 1
credit point. One year of full-time study at level 1 is worth 20 credit points.
For each standard semester module at level 1 there is normally a time allocation of 32 contact
hours and 32 private-study hours. Usually, approximately 1,000-1,500 words of written work are
required. Multiple-choice/short-answer tests are often included. The written work required at
this level is less complex than that at level 2. Students are required to outline, explain,
describe, summarise and apply basic understandings and concepts. For more practical modules,
the ratio of practical to study time increases considerably, the total allocation of time is
the same and the amount of written work varies.
Level 2
A standard semester module at this level entails about 96 hours of work in total and is worth 4
credit points. A standard term module at this level, entailing 48 hours of work, is worth 2 credit
points. In most level 2 courses, one year of full-time study is worth 40 credit points.
For each standard semester module at level 2 there is normally a time allocation of 32 contact
hours and 64 private-study hours. Generally, approximately 3,000-4,000 words of written work are
required. Multiple-choice/short-answer/assertion and reason tests are often included. The written
work required at this level is more complex than that at level 1 and less complex than that at
level 3. Students are required to explain, describe, discuss, summarise and apply a wide range of
understandings and concepts. For more practical modules, the ratio of practical to study time
increases considerably, the total allocation of time is the same and the amount of written work varies.
Modules in the second year of level 2 diploma courses generally build on knowledge, understanding
and skills gained in the first year of these courses and develop competencies to a greater extent
than modules in the first year of these courses.
Level 3
Level 3 modules in the first year of a bachelor course are foundational and modules taken in
each subsequent year build on knowledge, understanding and skills gained in the preceding year.
A standard semester module at level 3 entails about 160 hours of work in total and is worth 6
credit points. A standard term module, entailing 80 hours of work, is worth 3 credit points.
One year of full-time study in bachelor degree courses is worth 48 credit points.
For each standard semester level 3 module in a bachelor course, there is normally a time allocation
of 40 contact hours and 120 private-study hours. Approximately 5,000-6,000 words of written work
are required at level 3. For more practical modules, the ratio of practical to study time increases
considerably, the total allocation of time is the same and the amount of written work varies.
Level 3 courses require the development of a high standard of academic skill
in reading, explaining, evaluating, discussing, critiquing, summarising, and
synthesising information and concepts.
Almost all level 3 modules entail tutorials, which are not generally included at
level 1 or level 2.
Some level 3 modules include final examinations. These are not normally included at lower
levels.
