Credit (advanced standing) for HE courses
Credit is used to recognise your prior learning, work and life experience. It reduces the number of units (subjects) required to complete 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 towards your qualification if you have completed equivalent study or gained similar knowledge through work experience or volunteer activities.
Credit for units completed at VU is automatically granted.
Choose the right information for you
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This information is for Australian citizens and permanent residents, New Zealand citizens and permanent Australian humanitarian visa holders.
1. Use our credit calculator
If you have completed tertiary studies in Australia, you may find your qualification listed in our credit calculator.
Enter the name of your study institution into the search bar to discover ‘pathway’ courses that provide credit points toward courses at VU. You may also find precedents for unit credits.
If your previous study is not listed in the calculator, please explore our other methods for credit consideration.
2. Explore guaranteed pathways
Visit your course page to find out if there are guaranteed credit points for any study you have completed. These are known as 'pathway' courses.
Navigate to 'Credit & entry pathways into this course' under 'Entry requirements’. You will find information about credit points offered for courses completed at VU and/or other institutions, if they are offered.
Some pathway courses guarantee entry, but do not provide credit points towards the qualification.
3. Check course units & credit points
On the course page, you will find the credit points and units required to complete the qualification under 'Course Structure'.
Most individual units grant 12 credit points towards the course, although this may vary.
Open the 'Units' section and click on the items to read their descriptions. If you believe that your study, work, or volunteer experience is equivalent to the learning outlined in the unit, it is worthwhile to apply for credit consideration. Write down the name and code to use during your application.
Please note that credit limits apply (see 'How we assess applications' below).
4. Prepare your credit application
Gather the evidence needed to support your credit application.
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.
We may contact your listed study institution(s) or employers for information or clarification.
Academic study
These should be translated by a nationally certified translator if they are not in English:
- testamur (official qualification certificate) if relevant
- official academic or completion transcript(s)
- unit descriptions.
Work experience & informal learning
Evidence may include:
- letter from employer or volunteer group outlining duties and time in position
- CV or job position description
- informal awards or certificates.
5. Apply for credit
You can apply for credit at the same time as you apply for your course, or later, during enrolment.
During course application
If you are applying directly to VU, you will be prompted to apply for credit and upload documentation as you complete your course application.
You may receive the credit offer alongside your course acceptance or shortly thereafter. We will contact you if we require additional evidence.
If you don't enrol at VU within 12 months of receiving your offer, you may need to resubmit your credit application.
After you are accepted to study at VU
Both current students and recent applicants can apply for credit through the student portal ‘MyVU’, which manages enrolments.
Don't enrol in the units for which you hope to receive credit. Instead, apply for credit for those units. We will inform you whether your application is successful or if you need to complete the units.
Please note that credit can’t be processed if the census date has passed for enrolled units.
After you apply for credit
Find information that may be relevant after you have received our credit assessment.
Get support with your credit application
How we assess applications
We assess applications in accordance with our credit policy and procedure.
We will examine your credit application for equivalency and currency against the unit learning outcomes, content and AQF level. Make sure you provide full supporting evidence.
There are limits on the number of credit points and type of units that can be granted as credit.
