Credit (advanced standing) for HE courses
Credit is used to recognise your prior learning or work and life experience, reducing the number of units that you have to complete in your chosen course at VU.
You can apply for credit, also known as 'advanced standing', towards a higher education (HE) diploma, bachelors degree, or postgraduate course.
You may receive credit points if you have completed equivalent study or gained similar knowledge through work experience.
Credit for units completed at VU is automatically granted.
What is credit?
Advanced standing describes a form of credit for previous learning. It involves the application of credit towards a student's course of study, usually in respect of entering a course at an advanced stage.
There are different types of credit at VU. The type of credit granted is determined during the application assessment process.
VU assesses and grants credit in accordance with the Credit – Advanced Standing (HE) Procedure.
Specified credit
Specified credit refers to specific units of study within a course structure. If you are granted specified credit, you are not required to study this unit(s) in the course.
Unspecified block credit
Unspecified block credit refers to non-specific study within a course structure (such as electives). If you are granted unspecified block credit, you receive a credit point value, which reduces the total amount of credit points you are required to study in the course.
Unit value
Most units of study in a VU course are worth 12 credit points (some units may be worth more e.g. 24 credit points). You gain credit points for each unit you successfully complete during your studies.
How to apply for credit (advanced standing)
Current students
Please submit your application for credit (advanced standing) via MyVU.
Note
- If you think that you may be eligible for credit, do not enrol into those units. Credit cannot be processed if the census date has passed for enrolled units. You will also not be eligible for a refund for those units.
- If you are receiving Centrelink payments and the duration of your course is reduced as a result of credit, you must notify Centrelink.
- If you are an international student, to meet your student visa requirements, you must complete the course within the time stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). If the duration of your course is reduced as a result of credit, VU will issue you a new CoE.
- If your academic record(s) are from an overseas or private institute(s), certified copies must be provided from the appropriate government body or professional association recognised in Australia (or an equivalent authority for students studying offshore). Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation. The translator must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) or equivalent.
- We may contact your previous institution(s) and current or former employers to verify information provided as part of your credit application.
Domestic prospective students
If you’re applying direct to VU via our Admissions Centre and would like to apply for credit as part of your course application, you will be prompted during the process to complete a credit application and provide the required supporting evidence.
Units can be credited if they are part of the course structure for the course you are applying for. Please note that credits relating to prior VU subjects are automatically granted and no further action is required.
If you have applied for a course without submitting a credit application and you have received an offer to a course at VU you should follow the process for current students once you have accepted your offer.
If you do not enrol at VU within 12 months of receiving your offer, you may need to resubmit a credit application for any credit previously granted.
International prospective students
If you're applying direct to VU as an international applicant via our International Application and Enquiry System and would like to apply for credit as part of your course application, you will be prompted during the process to complete and upload an Advanced Standing (credit) application form along with the required supporting evidence.
Supporting documentation
You will need to provide details for your previous study, work or life experience, including how it satisfies the learning outcome for the units, you have requested as credit. For example:
- a copy of your official academic or completion transcript(s)
- unit descriptions
- a current copy of your CV or resume.
Refer to the checklist on page five of the credit application (in MyVU) for the full list of supporting documentation required.
We do not require original documents. However, you may be asked to show original documents at a later stage. Copies do not have to be certified, but must be true and accurate.
If your academic record(s) are from an overseas or a private institute(s), certified copies must be provided from the appropriate government body or professional association recognised in Australia (or an equivalent authority for students studying offshore). Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation. The translator must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) or an equivalent body for offshore students.
We may contact your former institution(s) and your current and former employers for further information or clarification of your credit application.
Application outcome
Most prospective students will be notified of their successful credit outcome as part of their offer letter and will also receive a complete credit outcome notification via email (includes credit that was not approved).
Current student will receive a complete credit outcome notification via email.
International students will also be asked to accept any successful credit before it can be processed, as part of the offer process or via email if a current student.
Review credit outcome
If you are unsatisfied with the assessment outcome of your application for credit, you can request a review of the decision in accordance with the VU Credit Policy.
Enrolment advice
If you have queries regarding your enrolment following your credit outcome, please contact your college Course and Unit Advisor (CUA) for further assistance.
Policies & procedures
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