1. Overview
WIN acknowledges the need for clear and effective credit arrangements to increase opportunities for students to access education, improve student mobility between sectors and institutions, and increase the pathways into and between qualifications through recognition of prior learning.
Granting advanced standing for prior learning ensures that students commence study at a level that appropriately recognises their prior learning experiences, and are not required to repeat equivalent learning successfully undertaken in another context. Credit for previous studies or skills (including articulation, recognition of prior learning and credit arrangements) must be consistent with the Qualification Standards and must preserve the integrity of the higher education award to which it applies.
Wentworth Institute (“WIN”) is committed to develop open and accessible guidelines to grant advanced standing (credit) for learning that is relevant, current and equivalent to the learning required for WIN‟s academic programs and courses, whether that learning be from formal studies or professional work experience.
WIN's policy on the granting of credit is based on the following broad principles:
∙ WIN will recognise prior learning, and grant credit for that learning, provided it is relevant, current and equivalent to the learning required for WIN‟s academic programs and courses, and in accordance with this policy.
∙ Determining equivalence requires academic judgement based on appropriate evidence provided by the student of the prior learning.
∙ Giving credit should not compromise the integrity of qualification outcomes and discipline requirements.
∙ This policy and any related procedures will be consistent with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
2. Granting of credit
2.1 General
∙ Entry to WIN's courses is based on specific published entry criteria and decisions regarding student selection will be in accordance with Student Selection and Admissions Policy and Procedure.
∙ An offer of credit does not guarantee admission into a specific course.
∙ The assessment of the amount of credit to be granted in particular courses shall be determined by the Course Coordinator within the framework of this policy and must be reviewed by the Teaching and Learning Committee.
∙ Regardless of the credit granted, the requirements of each course must be fulfilled.
∙ Credit will be granted for specified subjects in a course of study as long as the integrity of the higher education award is preserved.
∙ Candidates for an award from WIN are required to complete a minimum amount of the course through WIN. The total credit granted for prior learning external to WIN shall not exceed 50% of the total credit points required for the award toward which credit is sought. The 50% may comprise a mixture of credit for formal study and credit for work experience, however no more than 25% credit will be granted for learning from relevant and documented work experience.
∙ Credit granted for a specific course cannot automatically be transferred from one course to another.
2.2 Credit for formal studies
∙ Credit will not normally be granted for formal study completed more than five years prior to application unless there is evidence of continued relevance of this study for the course towards which credit is sought.
∙ Credit may be granted for the successful completion of:
o units of learning which form part of a structured academic program which would lead to either:
* an AQF higher education award or international equivalent; or
* an AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma, provided the student has completed the program as well as the unit;
o units of learning that take place through a structured program that did not lead to a formally recognised qualification
o non-award courses offered by a recognised higher education institution;
o accredited courses with a vocational training provider;
o courses provided by a professional association or other similar body;
o training delivered by employers or other similar training.
∙ Credit shall be granted where there is a demonstrable correlation with content and/or learning outcomes of the WIN subject for which credit is claimed.
∙ When assessing credit for formal studies the following will be taken into account:
o the general educational practices and standards of the provider(s) or any accreditation obtained by such provider that may be relevant to the course under consideration;
o the objectives of the particular course and the methods adopted to achieve those objectives;
o admission requirements to the course;
o the duration of the course, having regard to entry requirements and course objectives;
o the breadth, depth and balance in the course material involved and the intellectual effort required;
o the methods and content of assessment;
o the relative emphasis on the teaching of skills in relation to the study of the discipline;
o any arrangements for practical training and experience as part of the course.
2.3 Credit for learning from work experience
∙ Credit may be granted for work experience, volunteering, internships or workplace training where that learning can be documented to the satisfaction of the Course Coordinator that it upholds the integrity of the higher education award to which it applies. The onus shall be on the applicant to provide appropriate evidence or demonstrate the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding that are inherent in the relevant higher education award. NB This may require a student to undertake tasks to enable their learning outcomes to be assessed.
∙ The maximum credit that can be granted for learning from work experience is 25% of the total credit points required for the course toward which credit is sought.
∙ When assessing credit for work experience, the following will be taken into account:
o Authenticity - the applicant has actually demonstrated the learning outcomes that are being claimed;
o Currency - the learning outcomes are still valid and performable;
o Quality - the learning has reached the acceptable level;
o Relevance - the learning is applicable to the subject claimed;
o Transferability - the learning outcome can be applied outside the specific context in which it was learned;
o Comparability - the prior learning is comparable in content and standard with the subject(s) in which credit is sought.
2.4 Credit transfer
∙ Credit transfer may be granted when a student has completed subjects while undertaking a course with WIN and wishes to transfer to another course.
∙ Credit will be granted for those subjects already undertaken which form part of the course into which the student is transferring.
∙ The maximum credit that can be granted in these circumstances is not limited.
3. Applications
An application for advanced standing or credit transfer must be made on the appropriate form at the time of application for admission to a course. The application should be accompanied by sufficient documentary evidence to support the application.
Assessment of the application will be undertaken by the Course Coordinator who will advise the applicant in writing of the result of their application. A record of any credit granted will be signed by the Course Coordinator and the student and placed on the student's file.
It is the intention of this policy that students should be advised of the credit that is offered at the time they accept a place in a course.
All decisions of the Course Coordinator in relation to the granting of credit will be reviewed by the Teaching and Learning Committee.
Specified credit: Specified credit will be awarded when prior learning achieves expected learning outcomes equivalent to those achieved in a course offered at WIN and the integrity of the program in which it is offered is maintained.
Unspecified credit: Unspecified credit will be awarded for work from another institution that is of a similar standard to work at WIN, but for which there is no direct course equivalent.
4. International students
If the applicant is an international student applying for a study visa the following applies:
∙ Where credit is granted before the issue of a visa, the actual course duration in the eCoE issued to the student will be reduced.
∙ Where credit is granted after the issue of a visa, WIN will report the change of course duration to the DIBP via PRISMS.
If an international student is granted credit that shortens their course, it remains a visa condition that they continue to study full-time.
