The College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine recognise formal, prior learning based on the principles below. Further information including relevant definitions and links to policies and procedures is available on the ANU page Get course credit or exemption. University rules, policy and procedure relating to the granting of credit is set out in the Coursework Awards Rule, Policy: Recognition of prior and external learning and the Procedure: Credit.

For the purposes of this document:

• 'The College' means the ANU College of Science and the ANU College of Health and Medicine.
• 'A student' includes, where the context indicates, a former student.

1.  Process

1.1. A request for status for a course passed at:

• another university;
• an approved institution; or
• The Australian National University (ANU)

will be determined by a Sub Dean or other Delegated Authority on behalf of the College, in accordance with the appropriate regulations.

Students should provide via email to students.cos@anu.edu.au for College of Science programs or to students.chm@anu.edu.au for College of Health and Medicine programs:

• a completed credit transfer application form
• an academic transcript documenting prior study
• a statement identifying ANU courses they are seeking credit for (or exemption from)
• a statement of support from the relevant Master Program convener, including a study plan.

1.2. A request for recognition of informal learning will be determined by a Sub Dean or other Delegated Authority on behalf of the College, in accordance with the appropriate regulations.

Students should provide via email to students.cos@anu.edu.au for College of Science programs or to students.chm@anu.edu.au for College of Health and Medicine programs:

• a statement identifying which courses they are seeking credit (or exemption) from
• a statement of support from the relevant Master Program convener, including a study plan
• a curriculum vitae clearly identifying periods of full-time and part-time professional experience
• the contact details of two referees who can verify the experience
• a statement addressing the relevant learning outcomes as specified in Policy: Recognition of Prior Learning
• a statement from the employer confirming relevant experience, alternative evidence verifying the professional experience or a statement why such a statement cannot be provided.

1.3. A request to rescind credit that has previously been applied toward a current program will be determined by the Deputy Dean of Education or other Delegated Authority on behalf of the College in accordance with the appropriate regulations.

Students should provide via email to students.cos@anu.edu.au for College of Science programs or to students.chm@anu.edu.au for College of Health and Medicine programs:

• an indication of their study plan over remaining semesters (however complete or incomplete this is)
• a statement of support from the relevant Master Program convener
• a sound academic argument outlining the reason for this request for example; a change in preferred specialisation, a lack of space within the program to accommodate required courses, how the request supports career aspirations that could not be supported otherwise.

2.  Classification of status

1.1. Any status granted to a student will be classified by the Sub Dean as:

• specified 
• unspecified
• exemption

2.2. Status will be 'specified' when the Sub Dean is satisfied that the prior study by the student corresponds substantially to the work required in a specific course prescribed for a Master degree offered by the College, and it was completed at the appropriate AQF level.

2.3. Status will be 'unspecified' when the Sub Dean is satisfied that the prior study by the student does not correspond to the work required in a specific course prescribed for a Master degree offered by the College, but it is still judged by the Sub Dean to be suitable to that particular Master degree.

2.4. Status will be ‘exemption’ when the Sub Dean is satisfied that the prior study by the student contributes substantially to the work required in a specific component of a Master degree, but where ‘specified’ status is not applicable. ‘Exemption’ status may be granted with associated ‘unspecified’ status as appropriate.

2.5. Status can only be provided where it does not impact on the requirements of the current program.

2.6. A student cannot apply for status for prior study, where the student intends to enrol, or is currently enrolled, in equivalent course(s) at the College.

3.  Adjustment of completion date

3.1. Where a student is granted status, the final date for completion of the Master degree at the College will be counted as seven years from the date at which the earliest course for which status is granted, was passed. This is subject to 3.2.

3.2. If the time allowed for the completion of the relevant degree under 3.1 is insufficient for the student, under exceptional circumstances, the Sub Dean may still grant status and prescribe a new final date for completion of the degree.

4.    Recognition of Informal Learning

4.1. Informal learning refers to learning gained through professional activities and experiences. Typically, informal learning is not organised or externally structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support. Informal learning is only recognised where it has taken place prior to the commencement of an Award.

4.2. Informal learning (or other types of learning) are not eligible for both credit for admission and course credit. So if work experience has been used to meet the admission requirements of the program no further consideration of informal learning should take place.

4.3. Informal learning can only be recognised if it is current and can be assessed against AQF level 9 and/or specific learning outcomes of the relevant degree.

4.4. Status will be ‘exemption’ when the Sub Dean is satisfied that the informal learning contributes substantially to the work required in a specific component of a Bachelor degree.

4.5. ‘Unspecified Graduate Status’ may be granted subject to the following conditions:

• A period of seven years or more has elapsed from the date the student completed their previous program and the student has evidence of informal learning in the same field as their previous degree within the last seven years
• If graduate status is granted, the balance of the degree must comprise science courses.

Students are encouraged to consult with the Sub Dean regarding recognition of informal learning.

5. Limitations on the recognition of prior and external learning

5.1. Cognate Undergraduate Degree

Graduates of ANU, another university, or a similar institution, who have completed a Bachelor degree at AQF level 7, may be granted cognate undergraduate status subject to the following conditions:

• Status for undergraduate learning will always be granted as ‘unspecified’ credit. If appropriate, ‘exemption’ status will also be granted for specific courses within the Master program

5.2. Graduate Status

Graduates of ANU, another university, or a similar institution, who have completed a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, may be granted status subject to the following conditions:

• All status determination will be based on the equivalence of units and program structure required for completion of the previous program, to the units and program structure required for the relevant Master degree offered by the College

5.3. Vertical Double Degree Pathway

Students enrolled in a vertical double degree pathway are able to receive up to 24 units of specified status for postgraduate courses taken while completing their Bachelor degree at ANU in addition to 24 units of unspecified cognate undergraduate status.

If the student subsequently transfers out of the destination Masters within the Vertical Double Degree, status toward their new program will be reconsidered in line with standard assessment policies and, as such, will be restricted to a maximum of 24 units. The type of status granted may include specified graduate status, unspecified graduate status, and/or unspecified cognate undergraduate status as appropriate.

5.4. Non-award study

Status may be granted for courses passed which form part of a Master degree program at ANU, another university, or similar institution, but which were undertaken prior to the commencement of their current program and on a non-award basis.

5.5. Cross Institutional Study, Study Abroad and Exchange

A student of the College who, while active in their current program, undertakes study at another institution in Australia or overseas may receive status on return to ANU for courses passed at the host university, subject to the following:

• the student must obtain prior written approval of the Sub Dean for the courses to be undertaken at the other university
• courses undertaken must meet the relevant Master degree program requirements
• the student must also comply with the relevant Cross Institutional Study, Study Abroad or Exchange policies.

6. Conditions on the recognition of prior and external learning

6.1 Status can only be provided where it does not impact on the requirements of the current program.

6.2 If status is granted, remaining courses may not be included which are substantially equivalent to those taken in previous degrees.

6.3. If status is granted, a minimum of ⅔ of the remaining units must comprise of courses from the Science Course List.

6.4. Specified status for 8000 level courses will only be granted when the course is considered completely equivalent to the relevant course at ANU.

6.5. Status granted towards the research component of an Advanced Master program must not exceed 50% of the research requirements of the Advanced Master program.

6.5. If the maximum amount of status is granted, the remaining units must comprise of courses from ANU.  The student will be unable to undertake Cross Institutional Study, Study Abroad or Exchange.

7.  Completion of degree at another university

7.1. A student of the College may be authorised to complete the degree requirements of the College at another university in Australia or overseas, provided that:

• the student has obtained prior written approval of the Sub Dean for the courses to be undertaken at the other university
• the courses to be taken at the other university fulfil the relevant Master degree program requirements.

7.2 To be granted status under regulation 7.1, the student must also comply with the relevant Cross Institutional Study, Study Abroad or Exchange policies.