Credit for prior learning

Advanced standing

You may be able to apply for credit towards your current QUT course for:

• past studies
• units studied at another university while you were enrolled at QUT (cross-institutional studies)
• work experience.

That means you might not have to complete all of the units listed in your course structure and you may be able to graduate sooner.

We call this 'advanced standing'.

What can I claim credit for?

You can apply for credit for any:

• studies completed at QUT where you received at least a grade of 4 (pass)
• studies completed at other institutions (e.g. university or TAFE) where you received at least a grade of 4 (pass) or equivalent
• related work experience.

You need to show us that your knowledge is:

• at an appropriate level e.g. if you're studying a postgraduate course at QUT, in most cases you can only apply for credit for past studies that were also at postgraduate level
• comparable to what you'd learn in a specific QUT unit or relevant to the course as a whole
• up-to-date.

Changing your course or completing more than one course at QUT?

If you're changing your course or completing more than one course at QUT, you may have already completed a unit you need for your new course.

If the units have exactly the same unit code and title in each course, you'll get credit automatically. You can check unit codes and titles in the course structure in your course information.

Find your course information

We call this type of credit 'automatic credit' or 'designated credit'.

You can check if you've received any of this type of credited units under the heading 'Advanced standing units' in your academic history in QUT Virtual.

How to check your results and academic history via eStudent

How to apply for credit for prior learning

Submit an application.

Application for advanced standing (credit for prior learning) (AS form) (PDF file, 289.13 KB)

Supporting documents: what do I need to supply?

You must supply original documents or certified copies so we can process your application.

If you'd like your original documents returned, provide a stamped self-addressed envelope.

I'm applying for credit for studies completed at QUT

You don't need to provide any supporting documents.

I'm applying for credit for studies completed at another institution

You must provide certified copies of:

• your official academic transcript
• documents proving that you've completed your course, such as your diploma or certificate (if applicable).

You may also need to provide detailed information about your previous studies, unless someone else has applied for the same credit and it was approved.

See if someone else has applied for the same credit using our Advanced Standing Precedent List

If you find an approved application with subjects that match yours, include the Precedent ID on your application for credit.

If you can't find a matching application you must provide a detailed course structure and outlines of all the relevant units you've completed.

Outlines should include:

• credit points
• contact hours
• aims and objectives
• texts and references
• assessment details.

I'm applying for credit for work experience

You need to provide:

• a detailed resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• a letter from your employer confirming:
  • your period of employment
  • position(s) held
  • experience that's relevant to your QUT course, including competency levels reached.
• evidence of professional education courses conducted 'in house'.

When to apply for credit for prior learning

You can apply for credit at any point in your course, but there are closing dates for each semester.

Check the key dates for credit for prior learning applications for closing dates.

You can't apply for credit for the current semester or teaching period after the:

• census date
• final dates for addition and substitution of units.

Check the key dates for credit for prior learning applications

Make sure you look at the right dates for the semester or teaching period you're enrolled in.

On your application for credit, make sure you answer the first question to indicate which semester or teaching period you want to claim credit for. This means the semester in which you would've studied the QUT units you're claiming credit for.

If your application is late you may need to pay a $50 late fee and your application may not be processed before the start of the teaching period. This may affect your enrolment and fees.

What happens next?

If you submit your application for credit by the on-time closing date listed in key dates for credit applications, we'll process it by the start of the semester or teaching period.

In some cases, your course coordinator may ask you to attend an interview or do some other form of assessment.

How do I find out the outcome of my application?

1. Log into QUT Virtual.
2. Go to the Study page.
3. Under Unit Results, click on View my advanced standing outcomes.

We may also email you the outcome.

International students

According to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislation, you must respond to the outcome of your credit application in QUT Virtual.

1. Log into QUT Virtual.
2. Go to the Study page.
3. Under Unit Results, click View my advanced standing outcomes.
4. Accept or reject your approved advanced standing outcomes.
5. Tick the box to indicate that you understand that the outcomes will affect your course duration and enrolment.

Possible outcomes of your application for credit

Granted

Your application is successful. You don't need to complete this unit.

Not Granted Incomplete Application

Your application for credit was incomplete at the census date and couldn't be assessed.

Not Granted Failing Grade

We're not awarding you credit for your prior studies because you received a failing grade. To claim credit you must have received at least a grade of 4 (pass) or equivalent.

Not Granted Qualification Not Comparable

We're not awarding you credit because your prior study or experience is not at a comparable level to the unit you want credit for.

Not Granted Maximum Granted

We're not awarding you credit because you've already claimed the maximum amount of credit for your course. Check your course details for information on credit (advanced standing) limits.

Not Granted Already Credited

We're not awarding you credit because you've already received credit for this unit.

Not Granted Post Census Date Application

We're not awarding you credit because you applied after the census date.

Not Granted Revoked

Your credit has been revoked.

Not Granted Misconduct

Your credit has been revoked as a result of penalties awarded under QUT's Academic Misconduct policy.

Not Granted Recency

We're not awarding you credit because your prior study was completed too long ago.

How does credit affect my enrolment for the current semester or teaching period?

Depending on the outcome of your application you may need to change the units you're enrolled in.

There are separate cut-off dates for changing your enrolment, and if you change it after these dates, you may receive an academic penalty or financial penalty.

Read the information about changing your enrolment, and make sure you understand how it might affect your grades or fees.

Changing your enrolment

International students

Receiving credit for prior learning may affect your full-time enrolment and course duration.

You must ensure that you have a full-time enrolment load so that you comply with Student Visa legislation.

If you're an international student visa holder and receiving credit means you'll finish your course before the completion date specified in your confirmation of enrolment (eCOE), we'll notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

International student course progress

Student visa conditions (Department of Immigration and Citizenship)

How does credit affect my grade point average (GPA)?

Any units you receive credit for will be recorded on your official academic record under the heading 'Advanced Standing'.

How it affects your grade point average (GPA) depends on the type of credit you're awarded.

You can check your credited units under the heading 'Advanced standing units' in your academic history in QUT Virtual.

How to check your results and academic history via eStudent

Units marked as:

• 'Exemption' don't affect your GPA
• 'General Credit' don't affect your GPA
• 'Designated Credit' will have a grade listed and do affect your GPA (this is for QUT units you've previously passed, or language units)
• 'Automatic Credit' will have a grade listed and do affect your GPA (this is for QUT units you've previously passed).

How do I check if credit might help me to complete my course sooner?

When you check your 'Advanced standing units' in your academic history in QUT Virtual, you'll see that you credited units are listed as either 'on plan' or 'off plan'.

On plan units are directly related to your course structure and contribute to you meeting your course completion requirements.

Off plan units don't relate to your current course structure and don't contribute to you meeting your course completion units.

How to check your results and academic history via eStudent

What if I'm not happy with the outcome?

If you're unhappy with the decision you can:

• talk to your faculty office
• apply for a review of the decision.

Talk to your faculty office

If you're dissatisfied with the outcome of your application for credit, and want more information on the decision, contact your faculty office.

Apply for a review

You can apply to have the outcome of your application for credit reviewed if:

• you've spoken to your faculty office
• you believe that an error has been made or that a decision is unjust.

Application for Review of Academic Ruling (RA form) (PDF file, 143.58 KB)

You must submit your application for review no more than 10 working days after the original decision.

While you're waiting for the outcome of the review

We'll assess your review application as soon as possible, but we may not decide on an outcome before enrolments close for the relevant semester.

Talk to your faculty office about what action you should take, if any, while you wait for the outcome of your review.

Policy

Review of grades and academic rulings policy

Cancelling your credit for prior learning

In some cases you may want to cancel (revoke) the credit you've received, for example if you decide you need to refresh your knowledge in the topics covered by a particular unit.

You can apply by emailing your faculty office and your course coordinator will consider your request.

Check on QUT Virtual to see if your request is approved.