Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

1. The purpose of our procedure

This procedure sets out how Adelaide University recognises the academic excellence of students through the award of University Medals, Letters of Commendation, and Merit Awards. It outlines the eligibility criteria, selection methodology and administrative processes for determining and conferring these awards.

Please read this procedure in conjunction with our:

• Coursework Scholarships, Grants and Prizes Policy
• Coursework Scholarships, Grants and Prizes Procedure.

2. Who our procedure applies to

This procedure applies to members of the Adelaide University community who assess, approve, and administer academic excellence awards.

2.1 Inclusions

This procedure applies to students enrolled in coursework programs at Adelaide University.

2.2 Exclusions

This procedure does not apply to students enrolled in higher degrees by research programs.

3. Our recognition of academic excellence procedure

3.1 University Medal

The University Medal is awarded annually to students who achieve outstanding academic performance in a Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree program. To be eligible students must meet all of the following criteria:

3.1.1 Bachelor degrees, including honours degrees

Students must:

• have completed the academic requirements of their program, and 
• have been enrolled in at least 96 units of that program at Adelaide University, (excluding external credits), and
• achieve a program grade point average (GPA) in the top 0.5% of students completing a Bachelor Degree program in the relevant College in that academic year, and
• achieve a program GPA of 6.25 or higher.

3.1.2 One-year legacy honours degrees

A limited number of one-year honours degrees remain available for students who began a three-year Bachelor Degree in 2025 or earlier.

To be eligible, students must:

• have completed the academic requirements of a one-year honours degree program, and
• have completed all 48 units of the program at Adelaide University, and
• achieve a program GPA that places them within the top 2% of students completing a one-year honours degree that year, and
• achieve a program GPA of 6.25 or greater.

3.1.3 Additional requirements and process

Administration of the University Medal is governed by the following key requirements:

• When calculating the number of eligible students in the top 0.5% (by College) and top 2% (across Adelaide University), round up to the next whole number.
• Student and Academic Services identify eligible students after the deferred results release for the final study period for each academic year. All students who complete their program at any point in that academic year are considered.
• Adelaide University lists recipients in graduation publications and presents medals at graduation ceremonies, unless otherwise agreed with the recipient.
• Student and Academic Services issues a congratulatory email to University Medal recipients.
• The student's academic transcript and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) will record receipt of a University Medal.

3.2 Chancellor's Letter of Commendation

The Chancellor's Letter of Commendation is awarded annually to students who achieve outstanding academic performance in Bachelor Degree or Postgraduate Coursework programs.

3.2.1 Undergraduate students

To be eligible, students must:

• be enrolled in a Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree program, and
• have completed at least 48 units towards the program, and
• have completed a least 24 units at Adelaide University towards that program in the year of awarding (or 12 units for students with an approved Access Plan), and
• have a cumulative program GPA within the top 5% of undergraduate students in their College in the year of awarding.

3.2.2 Postgraduate coursework students

To be eligible, students must:

• be enrolled in a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Masters by coursework program, and
• have completed at least 50% of the program in the case of a Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework students, or 100% of that program in the case of Graduate Certificate students, and
• for Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework programs, have completed at least a 50% study load in the year of awarding (or 25% in the case of students with an approved Access Plan), and
• have a cumulative program GPA within the top 5% of postgraduate coursework students in their College in the year of awarding.

3.2.3 Additional requirements and process

Administration of the Chancellor's Letter of Commendation is governed by the following key requirements:

• Student and Academic Services identify eligible students after the deferred results release for the final study period for each academic year. All students who complete their program at any point in that academic year are considered.
• Student and Academic Services issue a congratulatory email to Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation recipients.
• Students awarded a Chancellor's Letter of Commendation are not eligible for a University Merit Award in the same year.
• The Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation is recorded on the student's academic transcript and AHEGS.

3.3 University Merit Award

The University Merit Award is awarded annually to students who achieve excellent academic performance in Bachelor Degree and Postgraduate Coursework programs.

3.3.1 Undergraduate students

Students must:

• be enrolled in a Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours program, and
• have completed at least 48 units towards the program, and
• have completed at least 24 units towards that program at Adelaide University in the year of awarding (or 12 units in the case of students with an approved Access Plan), and
• have a cumulative program GPA within the top 15% of undergraduate students in their College in the year of awarding, excluding students eligible for a Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation.

3.3.2 Postgraduate coursework students

Students must:

• be enrolled in a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Masters by coursework program; and
• have completed at least 50% of that program in the case of Graduate Diploma or Masters by Coursework students, or 100% of that program in the case of Graduate Certificate students, and
• for Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework program, have completed at least a 50% study load in the year of awarding (or 25% in the case of students with an approved Access Plan), and
• have a cumulative program GPA within the top 15% of postgraduate coursework students in their College in the year of awarding, excluding the top 5%.

3.3.3 Additional requirements and process

Administration of the University Merit Award is governed by the following key requirements:

• Student and Academic Services identify eligible students after the deferred results release for the final study period for each academic year. All students who complete their program at any point in that academic year are considered.
• Student and Academic Services issues a congratulatory email, signed by the relevant College Dean, to University Merit Award recipients.
• The student's academic transcript and AHEGS will record the award of a University Merit Award.

3.4 Equivalent unit conversion to Adelaide University

In this procedure, references to units of study reflect the Adelaide University equivalent volume of learning, converted from University of South Australia and University of Adelaide programs.

4. Who holds a responsibility within this procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

4.1 The Vice Chancellor is required to:

• approve the final recipient list for a University Medal.

4.2 The Academic Board is required to:

• recommend to the Vice Chancellor the final recipient list for a University Medal.

4.3 The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Experience and Success is required to:

• approve the criteria and processes for determining recipients of a University Medal, Chancellor's Letter of Commendation or University Merit Award outlined in this procedure.
• recommend to the Academic Board the final recipient list for a University Medal.

4.4 The Director, Scholarships and Admissions Standards is required to:

• approve the final recipient list for a Chancellor's Letter of Commendation or University Merit Award.

4.5 Student and Academic Services is required to:

• identify eligible nominees of a University Medal, Chancellor's Letter of Commendation and University Merit Award after the deferred results release for the final study period for each academic year, and provide the final recipient list to the Director, Scholarships and Admissions Standards for approval
• verify on the student administration system that nominees have completed all requirements of their academic program in the year for which the awards apply
• issue congratulatory emails to recipients of a University Medal, Chancellor's Letter of Commendation or University Merit Award
• arrange University Medal engraving and ensure recipient information is included in graduation publications and ceremonies
• maintain and communicate the University Medal, Chancellor's Letter of Commendation and University Merit Award processes.

5. Definitions used in our procedure

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Adelaide University community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary title holders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.

Student means a person enrolled in an enabling program, award or non-award coursework study, a research program, a short course or microcredential at Adelaide University.

6. How our procedure is governed

This procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

7. Legislation and other documents related to our procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

8. History of changes

At the time of writing, Adelaide University’s organisational structure, position titles, and committee names have not been confirmed. Square brackets [ ] indicate placeholders for these details. Brackets are also used to identify policy elements that are subject to further decision-making or confirmation. These will be updated once final decisions are made.