What is application for course credit?

19 January 2022

If you’ve already completed university studies, course credit could help you save time and skip over some courses in your Australian degree. Keep reading to find out how!

What is course credit?

Course credit is when a university recognizes that a student has already learned all the course objectives in previous study. Instead of having the student retake the course, they issue the student a credit that says they have learned the equivalent to what the course is offering and that it will count toward the new program they are undertaking. This can allow a student to reduce the course load or in some cases the time it would take to complete the program.

stack of paperwork with glasses
Learn more about how to apply to an Australian university!

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for credit, certain criteria needs to be met:

1. Your previously studied courses must be at the same level as those of which you are applying for credit. For example, if you have taken a bachelor-level chemistry course, you will not be able to apply for credit in a master’s program.

2. The course must have covered the same content (the university will be the one to decide this). You can use more than one previously taken courses to prove you’ve covered all the learning objectives in the new course. For example, if you’re applying for credit in a human anatomy and physiology course at the University of Queensland, and you have previously taken Human Physiology I and Human Physiology II at UAlberta, you can submit both syllabi for assessment.

Of course, it’s important to remember that not all programs offer course credit. Check with your admissions officer first to see if you’re eligible.

How do I apply?

Look through the university’s program course list (typically found on the university’s site) to determine whether you have taken equivalent courses that cover the necessary content and learning objectives. If you’re having trouble finding this, reach out to your OzTREKK admissions officer!

If you believe you have equivalent courses and would like to apply for credit, follow the next steps:

Step 1 – Compare content
Compare the content covered in the university’s program to determine which courses are equivalent. Typically, it will take a combination of prior courses to meet these equivalents as there is rarely a direct equivalent with one prior course.

Step 2 – Fill out OzTREKK’s Application for Credit document

Step 3 – Gather course outlines
Collect the official course outlines for the courses from your prior studies which you have listed and email them to your admissions officer (PDFs only).

Ensure the course outlines are from within 2 years of when you took the course and that they contain the following information:

  • Course code and name
  • University
  • Semester and year
  • Lecture schedule or subject list (required by the university to do the credit assessment)

How to obtain your course outlines

If you don’t have them, or your course outlines are missing information, contact the faculty as they may have a more descriptive copy on file.

How long does it take?

Each university is different, so it’s best to let your admissions officer know as soon as possible if you wish to apply for credit. The amount of credit granted depends on your course outlines and the program to which you’ve applied.

Of course, we’re always here to answer questions! Email your admissions officer or contact us at info@oztrekk.com. We’re here to help!

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