Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation

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 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
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:
  • BUS108 Introduction to ICT
  • 7 General Electives
Note:
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

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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:

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