Credit transfer | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Credit transfer

Prior to applying for credit, please ensure you have received an offer to study in the UniSC program for which you are seeking credit. If you've completed prior study or have relevant work experience, you may, under specified conditions, be eligible for credit towards your UniSC degree.

Receiving credit for previous study or experience may reduce the cost and time it takes to complete your UniSC degree and means you won't have to repeat similar courses.

UniSC offers credit for prior learning consistent with the Australian Qualifications Framework and general practice in the Australian Higher Education sector.

Important:

Visit How to apply for credit for more details.

Credit can be awarded based on

Credit for previous study

If you have a degree, or part of a degree, you may be eligible to receive credit towards a UniSC qualification if your previous studies demonstrate substantial equivalence with course(s) in your UniSC program. The amount of credit is determined on a case by case basis and will depend on the degree you are studying at UniSC and the level, content and completion status of your previous studies.

If you have successfully completed a senior secondary school program that includes a special arrangement with UniSC, such as Headstart, your relevant credit will be applied after the admission process.

Students with a completed Cert IV and higher TAFE / VET qualifications, from Australia or a comparable overseas qualification, may be eligible to receive credit towards a UniSC qualification. Use the credit transfer calculator to find out which areas the credit may be awarded in and the amount of credit.

Please visit How to apply for credit for more information.

Credit for previous experience

You may be eligible to have your relevant experience, such as work experience, recognised as credit towards a UniSC qualification. Some programs have credit restrictions due to accreditation requirements.

International Baccalaureate

UniSC offers credit into a range of undergraduate degree programs to students who have successfully completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Students may gain up to four courses of credit depending on the IB subjects completed and their choice of UniSC degree program.

Information on the credit available for IB subjects can be found at Credit for International Baccalaureate students.

Types of credit and credit restrictions

Specified and elective credit

Credit Transfer may be granted for specific courses or elective courses.

  • Credit Transfer for specified courses may be granted where the content of courses studied elsewhere is assessed as demonstrating substantial equivalence in the level of study, learning outcomes, and study duration of the courses required to be completed in the program of study at UniSC. Specified credit can only be granted for studies completed within ten years of the time of application for credit.
  • Credit Transfer for unspecified courses may be granted where the content of courses studied elsewhere are assessed as demonstrating equivalence to the level of program and study duration, but do not specifically match the content of courses required to be completed in the program of study at UniSC.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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 UniSC.

Block credit

Credit transfer for block courses may be granted where the content of the courses studied elsewhere are assessed as demonstrating equivalence in the level of program and study duration to whole stages or components in the program of study at UniSC.

Exemptions

Exemption may be granted where the content of courses studied elsewhere is largely similar, but not identical, to the content of courses required to be completed in the program of enrolment at UniSC. Exemption constitutes the waiver of the requirement to complete a specific required course(s) but requires you to complete another course towards your program.

Credit restrictions
  • Credit restrictions may apply for certain programs due to accreditation implications which limit the amount of credit and/or exemptions approved based on prior study and/or work experience.
  • Qualifications used as the basis of entry into a program of study may limit the amount and type of credit that can be awarded on the basis of that same qualification.
  • Students may not complete an award program, other than “nested programs”, solely on the basis of credit transfer or a combination of both credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
  • The Academic Board will determine the amount of credit that may be granted and transferred to each award program as outlined in the Credit Transfer – Procedures: https://www.usc.edu.au/about/policies-and-procedures/credit-transfer-procedures