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)
• an indication of majors/minors/specialisations and any elective major/minor they are seeking to complete
• an indication of their study plan over remaining semesters (however complete or incomplete this is).

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
• an indication of majors/minors/specialisations and any elective major/minor they are seeking to complete
• an indication of their study plan over remaining semesters (however complete or incomplete this is)
• 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 majors/minors/specialisations and any elective major/minor they are seeking to complete
• an indication of their study plan over remaining semesters (however complete or incomplete this is)
• a sound academic argument outlining the reason for this request which may include, for example; a change in preferred major/minor/specialisation combination, 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

2.1. 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 (~80%) to the learning outcomes and level of learning to a specific course prescribed for a Bachelor degree offered by the College.

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 Bachelor degree offered by the College, but it is still judged by the Sub Dean to be suitable to that particular Bachelor 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 Bachelor 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) to complete their program.

3.  Adjustment of completion date

3.1. Where a student is granted status, the final date for completion of the Bachelor degree at the College will be counted as ten years from the date at which the earliest course for which status is granted, was passed. This is subject to regulation 4.2 and 4.3.

3.2. If the student is enrolled in a four year Bachelor degree, with integrated (direct entry) honours, the final date for completion of the Bachelor Degree will take this into account.

3.3. If the time allowed for the completion of the relevant degree under regulation 4.1 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. To clarify: 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 7 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 ten 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 ten years
• status may be granted for courses to the value of no more than:
  • 48 units towards a 144 unit pass degree
• no status will be granted towards the Science component of a combined program

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. Diploma or Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree or Graduate Diploma

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

• the Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree meet the relevant Australian Qualifications Framework criteria (AQF Level 5 or above).
• for a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree or Graduate Diploma in a science related field, status may be granted for courses to the value of 48 units, except that this may be reduced where the Diploma or Advanced Diploma contains exemptions for studies carried out in a secondary school. The status awarded will primarily be 1000 level.
• for a Diploma or Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree or Graduate Diploma in a non-science field, status may be granted for courses to the value of 24 1000 level non-science units.
• status shall not be granted for an incomplete Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree or Graduate Diploma.
• the Sub Dean may impose a grade average to be required before status is granted.

5.2. Non-award study

Status may be granted for courses passed which form part of a Bachelor 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.

5.4. 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 Bachelor 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 3000 level courses will only be granted when the course is considered equivalent to the relevant course at ANU. In the majority of instances 3000 level credit will be unspecified.

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 Bachelor degree program requirements.

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