Credit for prior learning

Advanced standing

You may be able to have your past studies or work experience count as credit towards your QUT course.

That means you might not have to complete all of the units listed in your course structure and you may be able to graduate sooner.

We call this 'advanced standing'.

Can I apply for credit for prior learning?

You can apply for credit if you're applying for a:

• course via QTAC and you've accepted your QTAC offer
• postgraduate coursework course directly to QUT
• research higher degree directly to QUT.

What can I claim credit for?

You can apply for credit for any:

• studies completed at QUT where you received at least a grade of 4 (pass)
• studies completed at other institutions (e.g. university or TAFE) where you received at least a grade of 4 (pass) or equivalent
• related work experience.

You may be able to claim credit towards our science and engineering courses for International Baccalaureate studies.

Find out more about credit for International Baccalaureate studies

You need to show us that your knowledge is:

• at an appropriate level e.g. if you're studying a postgraduate course at QUT, in most cases you can only apply for credit for past studies that were also at postgraduate level
• comparable to what you'd learn in a specific QUT unit or relevant to the course as a whole
• up-to-date.

How to apply for credit for prior learning

I'm applying for a course via QTAC

When you're offered a place in a course, accept your offer via QTAC and then complete an Application for advanced standing form.

Application for advanced standing (credit for prior learning) form (AS form) (PDF file, 289.55 KB)

Step-by-step guide to applying for undergraduate courses via QTAC

I'm applying for a postgraduate coursework course directly to QUT

If you want to claim credit for studies completed at QUT, complete the 'Advanced standing (credit or exemptions for prior studies)' section of your course application form.

If you want to claim credit for work experience or for studies completed at another institution, complete an Application for advanced standing form and submit it with your course application form.

Application for advanced standing (credit for prior learning) form (AS form) (PDF file, 289.55 KB)

Step-by-step guide to applying for postgraduate coursework courses

I'm applying for a research degree directly to QUT

Complete the 'Advanced standing (credit for prior study)' section of your postgraduate research application form.

Step-by-step guide to applying for PhDs and research degrees

Supporting documents: what do I need to supply?

You must supply original documents or certified copies so we can process your application.

If you'd like your original documents returned, provide a stamped self-addressed envelope.

I'm applying for credit for studies completed at QUT

You don't need to provide any supporting documents.

I'm applying for credit for studies completed at another institution

You must provide certified copies of:

• your official academic transcript
• documents proving that you've completed your course, such as your diploma or certificate (if applicable).

You may also need to provide detailed information about your previous studies, unless someone else has applied for the same credit and it was approved.

See if someone else has applied for the same credit using our Advanced Standing Precedent List

If you find an approved application with subjects that match yours, include the Precedent ID on your application for credit.

If you can't find a matching application you must provide a detailed course structure and outlines of all the relevant units you've completed.

Outlines should include:

• credit points
• contact hours
• aims and objectives
• texts and references
• assessment details.

I'm applying for credit for work experience

You need to provide:

• a detailed resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• a letter from your employer confirming:
  • your period of employment
  • position(s) held
  • experience that's relevant to your QUT course, including competency levels reached.
• evidence of professional education courses conducted 'in house'.

When to apply for credit for prior learning

If your application is late you may need to pay a $50 late fee and your application may not be processed before the start of the teaching period. This may affect your enrolment and fees.

What happens next?

If you submit your application for credit by the on-time closing date listed in key dates, we'll process it by the start of the semester or teaching period.

In some cases, your course coordinator may ask you to attend an interview or do some other form of assessment.

If your application is successful, the relevant units will be recorded on your academic transcript 'Granted Advanced Standing Unit'. These units don't contribute to your grade point average (GPA).

If you're unhappy with the decision you'll be able to contact us for more information, and if you're still dissatisfied, you can submit an application for review.

How do I enrol when waiting for credit outcomes?

If your credit application hasn't been finalised but you need to enrol, keep in mind that you may need to change the units once you receive your application outcome.

Therefore you need to be aware of the last date to:

• add units online without incurring a late fee
• withdraw units without financial and academic penalty.

Check the key dates for adding and withdrawing units

If the units you're applying for credit for are:

• not listed on the Advanced Standing Precedent List (ASPL), you may need to consult with your faculty/school on which units to enrol in for the current teaching period.
• listed on the ASPL, then it's recommended that you don't enrol in these units as a precedent has already been determined by your faculty/school. You should therefore enrol in the units on your study plan that you're still required to complete.
• listed as a prerequisite or corequisite for units you're enrolling in, then you can apply for a requisite waiver through your study plan. You won't be able to enrol or register for classes in these units until you're notified that the requisite waiver has been approved by your faculty/school.

The outcome of your credit application will be visible under the 'View my advanced standing outcomes' link located on the lower right-hand corner of the Study tab in QUT Virtual.

If you have questions regarding which units to enrol in or requisite waivers, contact your faculty student office.