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Distance Learning
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Studying by Distance
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Studying by Distance
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How will I be assessed?
- Where can I find past exam papers?
- How do supplementary exams work?
- How will I find out my results?
- What if I need to withdraw?
- What about other changes, such as change of address?
- What if there is an emergency that affects my study?
- What can I do if I'm not happy with a decision of the college?
- What support services does the college offer?
How will I be assessed?
Most subjects are assessed using a combination of short exercises, research assignments, and examinations.
Each student enrolling in one of our distance subjects is assigned to an e-coach who will provide feedback on weekly exercises. E-coaches also provide prayer support and assistance in accessing the college's administrative processes. The exercises are not usually given a formal mark, but they must be completed to achieve a passing grade.
Research assignments and essays are common to most subjects. It is essential that students pay close attention to the due dates (listed on the subject CD). Refer regularly to the BCV essay guide. Extensions are not usually given except in exceptional circumstances. Students must apply for extensions prior to the due date by mailing (or e-mailing) the Dean of Studies a completed extension request form (found in the attached administration packet). Essays should be saved electronically as rtf documents and submitted by email to the distance office (along with an assignment cover sheet see the administration packet) before the due date. Essays are marked by our lecturing staff and will be returned by email to students with comments and the final mark. BCV's Academic Guidelines are also available, and it is important that you read these.
You can sit your exam wherever you please - you do not have to attend a specific exam centre such as the BCV campus. Exams are held during the exam period specified on the attached academic calendar. You are free to sit your exam at any time during that week. To be eligible to sit an exam you must complete and send in an exam supervisor nomination form (found in the attached administration packet) sometime during the six weeks prior to the examination and at least two weeks before the exam period is due to begin. Your supervisor can be anybody provided they are not a family member, friend, or employee. We encourage students to ask the minister of the church they are attending to supervise the exam if possible. Exams can be up to three hours in length and usually consist of a number of short essay questions. Your completed exam must be returned to the college by your supervisor using registered post to ensure the subject lecturer can mark it. Each semester you will be notified of the date that your results will be sent to you.
As with all forms of assessment at BCV, the aim is not to try to trick or trap students but simply to uncover what you have learned during your study. From time to time mistakes and problems occur with regard to the marking of student work. Our Academic Guidelines provide information regarding disputes, supplementary exams and other issues relating to assessment.
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How do Supplementary Exams work?
If you are unable to sit an exam during the specified period due to illness or another compassionate/compelling reason you may apply to sit a supplementary exam. You should apply before or soon after the exam period with evidence to support your reason.
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How will I find out my results?
At the end of each semester students are issued with a transcript of their results indicating both the grade they have achieved and the status of their enrolment. Students are not normally provided with final results prior to the sending of the transcripts. Results are published (by student id to preserve anonymity) on campus notice boards and the BCV web site as soon as marking is completed.
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What if I need to withdraw?
The course adjustment form should be used to notify us of your withdrawal. In order to be eligible to withdraw without a failing grade being attached to your transcript you must return your subject CD to the distance office.
A student may add or withdraw a unit up to 5pm of the Friday of the second week of lectures (Administrative Date) without financial or academic penalty. If a student withdraws after week two of lectures but before the census date the student is required to pay a Variation of Enrolment fee for that unit. A student may only add a unit within this period of time with special permission from the Dean of Studies. If permission is granted the Variation of Enrolment Fee will apply in addition to the tuition fee for the unit.
A student may add or withdraw a unit up to 5pm of the second day of lectures (Administrative Date) without financial or academic penalty.
If a student withdraws after day two of lectures but before the census date the student is required to pay a Variation of Enrolment fee for that unit. For units taught in intensive mode, the Census Date is approximately 40% of the period from commencement of the unit to the final date for completion of assessment tasks.
No penalty will be incurred when the variation of enrolment is an action to correct an administrative error. In a case of withdrawal from a unit before the Administrative Date the unit will not be included on their transcript. If the student withdraws after the Administrative Date but before the Census Date ‘AW’ for Administrative Withdrawal will be recorded on their transcript. A student applying for a variation of enrolment must lodge a Variation of Enrolment form with the Dean of Studies or Director of Professional Ministries. If a Variation of Enrolment Fee applies that must accompany the form, else the form will not be processed.
Ordinarily there is no refund of tuition fees if a student withdraws after the Census date. If a non Fee-Help student wishes to claim for a refund of any up-front monies received before or after the census date and they have withdrawn after the census date, they need to apply in writing to the Principal of BCV. A pro rata rebate may be offered to non FEE-HELP students in the event that a student is unable to complete their studies due to special circumstances. A student has up to 3 months from the time of lodgment of their variation of withdrawal to apply for a refund. If a student fails to lodge a variation form they may apply for a refund up to 3 months after the end of the presentation of the unit.
If a FEE-HELP student withdraws after the census date, they will still have incurred a debt for those units for which they were still enrolled at the time of the census date. If the student has paid any up-front payments before the census date but withdraws after the census date, the ACT and BCV are not required to return those up-front payments. The Variation of Enrolment fee shall not apply.
If a student wishes to claim a refund for their FEE-HELP assistance they need to apply in writing to the ACT Academic Administrator through the BCV Dean of Studies. If the student wishes to claim for a refund of any up-front monies paid before the census date and they have withdrawn after the census date, they need to apply in writing to the Dean of Studies of BCV. Refund is only possible in special circumstances where the situation is unusual, uncommon or abnormal and are:
• Beyond the student’s control
• Do not make their full impact on the student until, on, or after, the census date; and
• Make it impracticable for the student to complete the requirements for the unit during the period in which the student undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.
A Fee Help student has up to 12 months from the time of lodgment of their variation of withdrawal to apply for a refund. If a student fails to lodge a variation form they may apply for a refund up to 12 months after the end of the presentation of the unit.
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What about other changes such as a change of address?
Naturally we want to ensure all our records are up to date. Please complete the course adjustment form to let us know of any changes in your circumstances. We especially need to know of any changes to your contact details (email address, mailing address, telephone contacts etc) as these are the main means by which the College will seek to communicate with you during the year.
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What if there is an emergency that affects my study?
Life is not always easy and from time to time emergencies arise (such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or the loss of a job). We will be happy to accommodate you in the case of a serious emergency by delaying assessment or making special arrangements but you must notify us in writing before the due date. Please contact us as soon as you are aware of something happening that will affect your study. When requesting an extension please complete the extension application form.
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What can I do if I'm not happy with a decision of the college?
Nobody's perfect and from time to time mistakes are made. We encourage students to contact the college and make complaints where they feel they have been disadvantaged or mistreated. Please contact the Distance Learning Center in the first instance and we will do our best to help. If an issue cannot be resolved then all students have the right to make a complaint directly to the Dean of Studies who will initiate appropriate action including organizing a remark by an alternative faculty person or taking the issue to an Academic Appeals Committee. If you are not satisfied with that decision or process you have the right to lodge a grievance with the Dean of the ACT. The Dean's decision is final.. Further details can be found in our Academic Guidelines.
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What support services does the college offer?
A number of services are provided to students enrolled in Distance Learning.
The Library is happy to send resources to students (see the CD for details on how to access BCV Library services). Past exam papers are also available from the library.
E-coaches are available to provide prayer and academic support.
The Distance Learning office is here to provide you with the admiistrative support you need.
The Dean of Studies is available to provide help with course/unit selection, course adjustments, extensions, etc...
Further, fee-help loans are available from the Commonwealth Government for resident Australian citizens. Check out the Commonwealth Government website for further information.
And of course our fine lecturing staff are always happy to assist distance students.
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