These terms apply to the ways that USC acknowledges relevant previous experience when enrolling new students.

Credit transfer is the process of assessing prior academic work in order to determine whether those studies are of equal depth and academic rigour as courses offered at USC. A successful credit transfer application will reduce the number of courses required to complete an award program. Similarly, recognition of prior learning (RPL) is the process of assessing knowledge and skills developed through other learning, informal studies or work-related learning, to determine whether the skills and knowledge contribute to meeting the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of a course or program at USC. A successful RPL application will reduce the number of courses required to complete an award program.

Credit may be provided on the basis of completed studies or through articulation arrangements between programs for current studies. Such articulation arrangements involve specified pathways between programs and institutions.

USC is developing a comprehensive approach to credit and articulation arrangements that enable students to gain maximum benefit from their VET/TAFE and Higher Education studies. This is in the form of smooth and efficient pathways between programs and qualifications, making it clear and easy to navigate credit arrangements for students who have completed VET/TAFE programs and wish to enrol in University programs, and for students entering into articulation pathways.

• Credit
• Credit arrangements with TAFE
• Overseas qualifications
• Articulation
• Specific program arrangements
• How to apply for credit or recognition of prior learning
• Review of credit

Credit

Credit will be awarded for previous study, particularly in areas directly related to the program in which prospective students seek to enrol. The University offers different amounts of credit depending upon the level of previous study—degree, advanced diploma, diploma or certificate IV—and whether the previous study was undertaken at an Australian or overseas institution.

In the instances of partially completed previous study, credit may be awarded on a pro-rata basis according to the percentage of awards completed.

Generally, credit will not be given for studies completed more than 10 years prior to the date of application for credit.

Amount of credit awarded for a degree

Credit to the value of up to 16 courses of 24 courses of a University degree will be awarded for relevant completed degrees.

Amount of credit awarded for an Advanced Diploma

Credit to the value of up to 12 courses of 24 courses of a University degree will be awarded for relevant completed advanced diplomas.

Amount of credit awarded for a Diploma

Credit to the value of up to 8 courses of 24 courses of a University degree will be awarded for relevant completed diplomas.

Amount of credit awarded for a Certificate IV

Credit to the value of up to 4 courses of 24 courses of a University degree will be awarded for relevant completed certificate IV programs.

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Credit arrangements with TAFE

A number of credit arrangements are detailed below. If you hold a TAFE qualification that is not listed below but is in a relevant area to the USC degree you intend to study, you may be eligible to receive credit.

Arts and Design

Business, Tourism and Management

Community Services

Information and Communication Technology

Science and Environment

Sport and Recreation

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Overseas qualifications

Prospective students with overseas qualifications are invited to apply for credit, but may not receive the amount of credit described above. Students with overseas qualifications should contact USC International for more information.

Articulation

Articulation of the University's programs with the programs of VET/TAFE institutions involves a structure whereby VET/TAFE students may choose to integrate their VET/TAFE studies with a relevant University degree program in order to achieve VET/TAFE and higher education qualifications concurrently in less time than it would normally take to achieve the qualifications separately, or with normal credit. Articulation arrangements involve not only the University giving students credit for VET/TAFE studies, but also the VET/TAFE institution involved with the University in any articulation arrangement giving credit for higher education studies.

Specific program arrangements

The University has a strong commitment to lifelong learning and accords high priority to facilitating responsive and flexible education and training opportunities for its students. Specific arrangements within faculty programs are at:

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Business
• Faculty of Science, Health and Education

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