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.
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
TAFE/SCT qualification | USC degree | Credit arrangement |
---|---|---|
Diploma of Fashion | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Graphic Design | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts (Design and Communication) Bachelor of Arts (Popular Culture) Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Multimedia | Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts (Design and Communication) Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Photography | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design)Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts (Design and Communication) |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Visual Arts (Fine Arts) | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design)Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts (Design and Communication) |
8 courses credit |
Business, Tourism and Management
TAFE/SCT qualification | USC degree | Credit arrangement |
---|---|---|
Diploma of Accounting | All Bachelor of Business programs | 8 courses credit |
Diploma of Business | All Bachelor of Business programs | 8 courses credit Note: Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management): 4 courses credit Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management) : 4 courses credit |
Diploma of Business (Marketing) | All Bachelor of Business programs | 8 courses credit Note: Certificate IV: 4 courses |
Diploma of Event Management | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Tourism (Marketing and Product Development) | All Bachelor of Business programs | 8 courses credit Note: Certificate IV in Tourism (Natural and Cultural Heritage): 4 courses credit |
Community Services
TAFE/SCT qualification | USC degree | Credit arrangement |
---|---|---|
Diploma of Children's Services | Bachelor of Social Science (Community Work) Bachelor of Social Science Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Science (Public Health) Bachelor of Health (Health Promotion) |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Community Services (Lifestyle and Leisure) | Bachelor of Social Science (Community Work) Bachelor of Social Science Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Community Welfare Work | Bachelor of Social Science (Community Work) Bachelor of Social Science Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Science (Public Health) Bachelor of Health (Health Promotion) |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Disability Services | Bachelor of Social Science (Community Work) Bachelor of Social Science Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Science (Public Health) Bachelor of Health (Health Promotion) |
8 courses credit Note: Certificate IV: 4 courses credit |
Diploma of Justice | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication |
8 courses credit |
Diploma of Out of School Hours Care | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Social Science (Community Work) |
8 courses credit |
Information and Communication Technology
TAFE/SCT qualification | USC degree | Credit arrangement |
---|---|---|
Diploma of Information Technology (Systems Administration) | All Bachelor of Business programs | 8 courses credit:
Certificate IV Information Technology (Technical Support): 4 courses credit Certificate IV Information Technology (Programming): 4 courses credit Certificate IV Information Technology (Network Management): 4 courses credit Certificate IV in Information Technology (Website Administration): 4 courses credit |
Science and Environment
TAFE/SCT qualification | USC degree | Credit arrangement |
---|---|---|
Diploma of Conservation and Land Management | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (Computer Based Art and Design) Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts (Environment and Heritage) Bachelor of Social Science Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science All Bachelor of Science programs Bachelor of Health (Health Promotion) |
8 courses credit Note: Certificate IV: 4 courses credit |
Diploma of Laboratory Technology | All Bachelor of Science programs | 8 courses credit |
Diploma of Renewable Energies Technology | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Arts(Environment and Heritage) Bachelor of Social Science Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science All Bachelor of Science programs |
8 courses credit |
Certificate III Aquaculture | All Bachelor of Science programs Bachelor of Health (Health Promotion) |
2 courses credit |
Sport and Recreation
TAFE/SCT qualification | USC degree | Credit arrangement |
---|---|---|
Diploma of Sport and Recreation | All Bachelor of Science programs Bachelor of Health (Health Promotion) |
8 courses credit |
Certificate IV in Fitness | All Bachelor of Science programs Bachelor of Health (Health Promotion) |
4 courses credit |
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: