This protocol applies to current ANU CoS/CHM undergraduate students seeking to undertake formal learning overseas and have this learning credited towards their science degree. This protocol does not include courses or study taken on exchange via the ANU Global Programs exchange program. This protocol does not include credit for courses taken prior to the student’s current ANU degree. Assessments are made by the Colleges of Science, Health and Medicine and are independent of those applied in other ANU Colleges.

1. Amount and type of credit

For study undertaken outside of the ANU Global Programs International Exchange system, Science will grant a maximum of 12 units of credit for overseas courses for the entire duration of your program.

Students may undertake an overseas course opportunity only if the nominated course(s) is approved by the Science Sub-Dean or the delegate prior to the commencement of study.

These units will count as first year (1000-level) courses, unless deemed otherwise. Subject to the course's content, workload, learning outcomes and other factors, Science will consider whether the units of credit will count as a Science course elective (SCNC1901) or as an "out of College" course (SCNC1903). "Out of College" courses are also known as "ANU electives”.

A 6 unit course at ANU requires 130 hours of study and this figure will be used to assess equivalencies. Note that if a course outline does not specify “self-study” hours then assessments will be made on only the formal contact hours. Credit will only be awarded in 6 unit blocks. If course hours are less than a typical ANU course, you may be permitted to take two courses for a combined 6 units of credit.

Single degree students

Students enrolled in a Science degree must have sufficient Science course list or ANU electives available in their program to undertake an overseas course.

Flexible Double Degree (FDD) students - both degrees in Science

Students enrolled in an FDD taking both Science degrees must count these units as Science courses. These students must have sufficient Science course electives available in their program to undertake an overseas course.

Flexible Double Degree (FDD) students – one degree in Science

Students enrolled in an FDD taking one Science degree do not have ANU electives available so courses taken overseas must count towards the Science course list if the credit is requested for the Science degree. Students must have sufficient Science courses available in their program. Students should apply to the other college if applying for credit in the non-science component of a FDD.

2. Eligibility

• You must have completed 48 units* at the ANU before applying.
• You must not be on Academic Probation or Show Cause.
• You must have strong personal or academic reasons to study at another institution, e.g. specialist courses that are not offered at ANU and represent unique learning experiences. International students are not encouraged to undertake courses in their home country.

• You must be undertaking an approved course at an ANU approved institution (see Section 5).
• You must ensure that you meet any prerequisites of the external course(s).
• Applications must be submitted and approved prior to undertaking the study.

You must submit your application 4 weeks prior to the host institution’s application closing date to allow sufficient time for it to be accessed by the Sub Dean.

Applications will typically be assessed in 5-10 working days.

3. The process and requirements for credit approval:

• You can only apply for credit on overseas short courses after completing the first year (or full-time equivalent) at ANU (48 units)*;
• Before commencing the overseas courses, you must submit an ‘Application to Study  Elsewhere’. In the application you must be able to provide relevant information and the course outline(s).
• Course outlines must include:

1. Detailed course description
2. Detailed list of topics covered
3. Prescribed textbook and other required reading
4. Prerequisites including the outlines or descriptions of those prerequisite courses.
5. Contact hours**
6. The full-time equivalent load for the host University and the load for the course. For example, a full-time load at ANU is 24 units per semester. Each course is worth 6 units.

• The dates for your nominated course(s) must not conflict or overlap with your ANU course dates.
• Science Central, in consultation with the Science Sub-Dean, will assess the application and notify the student of a successful or unsuccessful application.
• Credit will be officially granted only when Science Central receives an official transcript directly from the host institution. Transcripts sent to Science Central by the student will not be accepted. In the event that a transcript needs to be verified, the financial cost of verification is the responsibility of the student.

* Exception to the prior completion of 48 units is for UG students studying a PRIMO short course organised by Global Programs.

** A 6 unit course at ANU requires 130 hours of study (both contact and self study) and this figure will be used to assess equivalencies. Note that if a course outline does not specify “self-study” hours then assessments will be made on only the formal contact hours.

Applications and supporting documents can be submitted to science.enquiries@anu.edu.au.

4. Registering with Global Programs

Once applications are approved, students must register their courses and travel with ANU Global Programs as Independent Learning Abroad. To do this students must:

• Complete an ANU travel eForm to cover the period of travel.
• Register with ANU Global Programs by uploading the course and travel approval documents.

• Attend an ANU Global Program pre-departure session