The purpose of our procedure
Our procedure outlines eligibility for credit towards an Adelaide University program and the processes for applying for, assessing and granting credit.
Our procedure should be read in conjunction with the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.
Who our procedure applies to
Our procedure provides guidance to prospective and current coursework students at Adelaide University about eligibility and the processes for applying for and assessing credit towards an enabling, or undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program.
This procedure outlines the processes for staff to assess, record, and communicate credit decisions.
Our processes relating to the Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) for graduate research programs are specified in the Graduate Research Policy and Graduate Research Admission Procedure.
Our Credit Procedure
1. Types of credit
Credit may be granted through credit transfer, articulation, RPL or advanced standing. It can include:
- specified credit
- unspecified credit
- block credit/advanced standing
- course substitution
- formal, informal and non-formal learning.
2. Eligibility for credit
A student is eligible for credit when the content and learning outcomes of previously completed study overlap with their current program of study.
To be considered for credit, relevant prior study must have been completed successfully with a pass grade or higher, at an appropriate academic level, at one of the following:
- a recognised Australian higher education provider
- a recognised overseas tertiary provider
- a registered Australian private provider of accredited tertiary education programs or courses
- a registered Australian education and training provider.
In some circumstances, students may be able to receive credit for informal learning.
3. How students can apply for credit
If previous study meets the criteria outlined in section 2, students may apply for credit through our [website]. There is no fee to apply for credit. However, credit is normally only assessed for students who have submitted an application to, or been accepted by, Adelaide University. Advice provided to students not yet admitted to a program is indicative only.
Applications must be submitted with all necessary supporting documentation no fewer than 10 working days before the start of the study period for which credit is sought.
3.1 Supplying evidence of previously completed courses
If the relevant courses were completed at Adelaide University, The University of Adelaide or the University of South Australia, evidence of course completion may not need to be supplied.
For courses completed at other eligible providers, one of the following forms of evidence must be supplied:
- a certified copy of an official transcript showing course(s) completed and the grade(s) received
- an active link to a my eQuals digital transcript showing course(s) completed and the grade(s) received
- an Australian Government-issued Authenticated Vocational Education and Training (VET) Transcript showing course(s) completed and the grade(s) received.
Any documents presented in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
3.2 Supplying additional evidence
Applicants for credit may also be asked to supply:
- a course outline, including syllabus and learning outcomes
- a reading list
- a class or lecture schedule
- the weighting and time allocated to the course
- details of assessment completed
- any other information requested by Adelaide University.
3.3 Applying for credit for informal learning
Applicants applying for informal learning will need to provide evidence that aligns with the relevant program and course learning outcomes and assessment requirements, where appropriate. This evidence may include the following:
- a statement from the student outlining how they think their learning meets the relevant learning outcomes
- a current CV, outlining employment history and roles/tasks undertaken
- relevant formal professional learning
- practice-related learning or research
- work-based assessments
- portfolio of supporting documents – work documents, supporting materials
- project work
- any other additional evidence requested by Adelaide University.
4. When credit applications will not be considered
We ensure that when we recognise prior learning it is current, completed no more than 10 years before the student commences their program. Some programs may require previous learnings to have been completed more recently.
Credit applications will not be considered when:
- study was undertaken at another provider while the student was [suspended] [precluded] or otherwise [expelled] from Adelaide University
- the application is for a course that is substantially similar to one for which the student has already received a passing grade at Adelaide University
- the application relates to a research component, such as a thesis or dissertation component of an Honours or coursework Masters program, or any other component that the Dean Academic of the College (or nominee) determines constitute a research component
- the credit would conflict with professional accreditation requirements
- the student has used the same previously completed course, completed at any university, as advanced standing or credit towards the completion of more than one program or award (double-counting of credit)
- the application exceeds the maximum limits specified in the table in section 5.
5. Maximum credit limits by program
The maximum credit that may be granted towards coursework degrees is outlined below. Variations from the maximum must be approved by [role], and be academically justifiable.
The maximum limit must enable students to complete the equivalent of at least one year full-time study in a bachelor, bachelor (honours), or masters degree program of Adelaide University.
Unless provided for in an articulation agreement or credit transfer arrangement, applicants who have completed:
- diploma/AQF Level 5 qualification will normally only be granted credit at Adelaide University Level 1 courses
- advanced Diploma, Associate Degree or AQF Level 6 qualification will normally only be granted credit up to Adelaide University Level 2 courses
- applicants who have completed Bachelor Degree courses at AQF Level 7 may be granted a maximum of 18 units or 25% of the award (whichever is greater) of credit towards a postgraduate coursework program.
Table 1: Maximum Credit by Program
Adelaide University Award | Total unit value | Maximum credit | Notes |
Diploma | 48 | 24 |
|
Associate degree | 96 | 48 | Credit can be claimed for nested programs. |
Bachelor degree | 144 | 96 | Credit can be claimed for nested programs. |
Bachelor degree with embedded Honours | 192 | 126 | Credit can be claimed for nested programs. |
Honours degree | 24 | 6 |
|
Graduate Certificate | 24 | 12 |
|
Graduate Diploma | 48 | 24 |
|
Masters (1.5 years) | 72 | 24 |
|
Masters (2 years) | 96 | 48 | Credit can be claimed for nested programs within the Master program. |
6. Granting credit for previous VET study
Unless a formal credit agreement exists, the table below outlines the maximum number of units that may be granted as credit towards undergraduate programs, based on prior VET qualifications.
Table 2: Maximum credit from VET qualifications
VET Award Adelaide University Program | Certificate IV* | Diploma* | Advanced Diploma | Associate Degree |
Diploma | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Associate Degree | 6 | 12 | 18 | 18 |
3-year Bachelor | 12 | 48 | 72 | 72 |
4-year Bachelor | 12 | 48 | 72 | 96 |
*Not all programs accept Certificate IV and Diploma as an entry requirement
7. How we assess credit
Wherever possible applications for credit will be assessed within 10 working days
7.1 When there is a credit precedent
Credit applications with an existing credit precedent or agreement will be reviewed, in the first instance, by appropriate professional staff in [Admissions Central].
7.2 When there is no credit precedent
Applications for which there is no precedent, or where the precedent is older than three years, will be assessed and approved by the relevant [Program Director or nominee]. Consideration will be given to one or more of the following:
- specified credit should have a match of at least 70% of course content
- comparability of the learning outcomes across courses
- the weighting and time allocated to all courses
- the volume of learning in all courses
- the content and program of study of all courses
- the learning and assessment approach of all courses
- the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level of all programs.
Any new or updated precedents will be recorded on our credit database.
7.3 Assessing non-formal learning
When assessing non-formal learning, the [role] will consider the applicant’s evidence to:
- demonstrate the claimed learning outcomes
- show the currency of evidence to demonstrate the learning outcome
- demonstrate the relevance of the evidence with the learning outcome
- confirm the academic level of the evidence is appropriate.
7.4. When credit is approved
Students will be informed of the outcome of their application by email. Approved credit will appear on the student’s academic record and transcript.
Where appropriate, students will be given advice on how approved credit may affect their current or future enrolment.
7.5 When credit is not approved
Where credit is not approved, the student will be provided with the reasons for this decision by email.
The application, including any supporting documentation, and the outcome (including refusal of credit) will be maintained, stored, and disposed of appropriately as per the [Records Management Policy].
8. Credit for international student visa holders
Where credit is approved for an international student visa holder, they will be issued with a personalised study plan.
If the amount of approved credit shortens the program duration, the student will be informed, and we will issue a revised Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
When international student visa holders change programs internally, their credit will be reassessed as part of the internal program change process. A new personalised study plan and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued for the new program, reflecting any approved credit.
9. How we will record credit
Credit will be recorded as one of the following:
- specified courses
- specified number of units
- transition credit.
The recorded credit will include the course name, course code and type of credit.
Credit will not be included in the student’s grade point average (GPA) or weighted average mark (WAM), including internal credit.
Credit granted for courses completed in another Adelaide University program will appear on the student’s academic transcript.
10. Our articulation agreements and their requirements
Adelaide University may establish articulation agreements and credit transfer arrangements with other institutions that specify approved credit transfer. The granting of credit under such agreements must comply with this procedure.
Adelaide University may monitor, and where necessary review, the academic performance of student cohorts admitted based on articulation agreements or credit transfer arrangements.
11. Other considerations relating to credit
Students who change programs must apply to have their credit reassessed. Credit previously granted will not be automatically approved for their new program.
Students should not withdraw from any current enrolment based on the assumption that credit will be approved.
Students can request credit be rescinded at any time. However, approval is not guaranteed if a student reapplies later for the same credit. Future credit decisions may depend on the student’s study plan at the time of application.
The granting of credit does not guarantee admission into a program.
We reserve the right to withdraw credit at any time if it was granted in error or based on incorrect, inaccurate, fraudulent or misleading documentation.
12. How students can appeal a decision
Students who wish to appeal a decision made under this procedure should refer to our [Student Appeals Procedure].
Definitions used in our procedure
Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.
Advanced standing recognises prior studies in a discipline that satisfies the requirements of prescribed set of foundational courses in a Masters program. Students must demonstrate that they have completed studies in a discipline area at an appropriate level.
Articulation agreement is a formal agreement between Adelaide University and a third party or another institution that enables students to progress with credit to an Adelaide University program.
Block credit is granted as recognition of completion of a previous qualification that contains equivalent learning (i.e. advanced standing). Courses for which the student receives block credit are listed on the student’s record.
Certified copy is a photocopy or scan of a document that has been confirmed as a true copy by an authorised person e.g. Adelaide University staff member, Justice of the Peace. It can be used in place of the original document.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is an official document issued by Adelaide University to international students to confirm enrolment status as required by the Australian Government for student visa holders.
Course substitution may be applied when students have undertaken equivalent content but cannot be granted credit and must undertake the equivalent amount of units to meet program eligibility.
Credit is a recognition of equivalence in content and learning outcomes between different types of learning and/or qualifications. Credit can reduce the amount of learning required to achieve a qualification.
Credit precedent is established when a specific course at another institution has been approved for credit for a course in a specific Adelaide University program. In this case credit can be approved without re-assessment. Providing there are no changes to courses, credit precedents are normally valid for 3 years.
Email means sending and/or receiving correspondence via an official Adelaide University email address, including those sent through other university systems, for current staff and students. For prospective students or other individuals, email means the email address provided to Adelaide University as part of an application for admission, or via any other correspondence.
Expulsion means the cancellation of enrolment of a student and termination of all rights and privileges as a student of Adelaide University including the right to re-enrol as a student and right to enter or to be on Adelaide University grounds or premises.
Formal learning takes place through a structured program that leads to the full or partial achievement of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or international equivalent.
Informal learning takes place through work and other experience, outside of a structured program.
Internal credit is when a student transfers into a program within Adelaide University and receives credit for previous studies from Adelaide University.
Non-formal learning takes place through a structured program but does not lead to an AQF award or international equivalent e.g. non-award program.
Preclusion means the means cancellation of that student’s enrolment and prohibition from re-enrolment in that program for two years.
Prospective student is a person who has contacted Adelaide University or an agent representing Adelaide University with the intent of becoming a student.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process by which an individual’s relevant prior learning (including formal, informal, and non-formal learning) is assessed to determine credit that may be granted towards completion of an Adelaide University award program.
Specified credit is credit that is granted for a specific course.
Student is a person enrolled in an enabling program, award or non-award coursework study, a research program, or a short course or microcredential at Adelaide University.
Study period is the time over which a course is run, for example a trimester, a semester, or an intensive.
Suspension means the cancellation of enrolment of a student of Adelaide University or a Foundation University and the discontinuation for a specified time of all rights and privileges as a student of Adelaide University, including the right to re-enrol as a student, and the right to enter or to be on Adelaide University grounds or premises.
Unspecified credit is granted to a total unit value, but without correlation to a specific course or courses, e.g. electives.
Working Days are the weekdays from Monday to Friday inclusive, excluding public holidays.
How our procedure is governed
This Procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.
Parent policy | Recognition of Prior Learning Policy |
Policy category | Academic |
Approving authority | co-Vice Chancellors/Vice Chancellor and President |
Policy owner | Deputy Vice Chancellor - Student Experience and Success |
Responsible officer | [TBC] |
Effective from | 24 July 2025 |
Review date | [4 years after date this version is approved, TBC] |
Enquiries | Interim Central Policy Unit/[Central Policy Unit] |
Replaced documents | None |
Legislation and other documents related to this procedure
Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 |
National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 Standard 2 Recruitment of an overseas student |
[Student Complaints Policy] |
History of changes
Date approved | To section/clauses | Description of change |
DD Month Year | Procedures | All sections updated to reflected revised practice. Compliance details strengthened. |
At the time of writing, the organisational structure, positions, committees, or any other unknown item etc. for Adelaide University have not been confirmed. Accordingly, square brackets [ ] temporarily enclose such information in this procedure until confirmed.