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Advanced Standing for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning

Intent

This policy is to specify clearly:

the principles by which the amount of advanced standing to be granted should be determined; and;
the range of advanced standing available for entry into coursework awards of the university.

Scope

This policy applies to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.

The advanced standing arrangements outlined in:

specific Award Requirements; or
specific Articulation Agreements,

override Clause 4 of this policy.

This policy does not apply to approved cross-institutional enrolments.

Definitions

Advanced Standing:Refer to Glossary of Terms for Policies in the Student and Teaching & Course Management chapters.

Types of Advanced Standing:Refer to Glossary of Terms for Policies in the Student and Teaching & Course Management chapters

Formal Study:is study undertaken at a university or at a recognised provider of post-secondary education within Australia.Study undertaken outside of Australia is recognised if undertaken at an institution considered to be equivalent to a university or post-secondary institution within Australia.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL):refers to previous learning achieved other than through formal study.It includes informal leaning obtained from work experience, life experience or courses taken from institutions other than those recognised to be equivalent to a university or post-secondary institution within Australia.

VET: Vocational and Education Training Sector

JCU subject: a subject with a JCU subject code.

Note that all references in this policy to Head of Faculty shall also mean authorised delegate as per the Enrolments Delegations Schedule.

Policy

1. Purpose of Advanced Standing

The focus of advanced standing is to recognise that previous formal study and RPL may contribute to further formal study.The purpose of advanced standing is to establish the equivalence of academic achievement regardless of the similarity or differences of the education processes involved.Advanced standing towards a JCU award should maximise student progression whilst maintaining academic standards.

Eligibility for advanced standing does not guarantee automatic admission to a course.

Advanced Standing is granted only at the discretion of the Head ofFaculty.

2. Principles to be Observed When Assessing the Granting of Advanced Standing

2.1. The university will maintain the integrity and standards of its academic courses.

2.2. The amount of advanced standing, and the type of the advanced standing granted would depend on:

a. the recency of the learning; normally, advanced standing should not be granted for subjects completed more than 10 years prior to enrolment for the award for which advanced standing is being sought;

b. the relationship and equivalence between the subjects in one qualification with those in the other qualification in regard to the content, the level of subject studied, the learning outcomes, graduate qualities and generic skills;

c. the specifications of the relevant Award Requirements; and

d. the content and level of learning acquired in other than formal study, eg in a professional workplace or in a professional capacity.

2.3. Advanced standing is to be assessed on the original, or a certified copy of, academic record of the applicant.Advanced standing must not automatically be granted on the basis of a third party institution having previously granted advanced standing.

2.4. Any advanced standing granted, only applies to the award in which the student is enrolled in at that time.If a student applies to change from one award to another, advanced standing would only be granted in accordance with the Award Requirements of the award into which the student is transferring.This may result in loss of advanced standing previously granted.

2.5. The maximum Advanced Standing allowable should not be exceeded through the granting of advanced standing for either formal studies alone, RPL alone or a combination of formal studies and RPL.

2.6. This policy specifies the limits of the advanced standing to be granted.In exceptional circumstances, the Head ofFaculty may approve advanced standing outside the limits defined by the policy.

3. Determination of Type of Advanced Standing to Grant

3.1. General advanced standing is based on the equivalence of the intellectual demand of the study.It can only be applied to a course and is usually granted for studies completed external to the institution.

3.2. Exempt advanced standing is based on the equivalence of content.It is usually granted for completion of subjects or studies that are recognised as equivalent.

3.3. Designated advanced standing is granted on the same basis as exempt advanced standing.It is used instead of exempt advanced if the grade/s obtained for completed study are required to be recorded and included in calculations.

4. Amount of Advanced Standing Allowed

4.1. Undergraduate Awards

4.1.1. Maximum Amount of Advanced Standing

To be eligible for a JCU bachelors award, amaximum of two-thirds of the credit points may be granted for advanced standing.The remaining credit points must be obtained by completing JCU subjects.

4.1.2. Subject Level Requirements

For a three year award, the maximum advanced standing granted at level 3 is 9 credit points.

For a four year bachelor award, the maximum advanced standing granted at level 3 or 4 is 18 credit points.

4.1.3. Advanced Standing for Formal Study – For Completed Qualifications

For completed qualifications from an Australian institution, the range of advanced standing available is as follows:

Foundation/Enabling Course – Nil
Certificate IV from VET sector – 0-12 credit points
Diploma (Associate Diploma) from VET sector – 0-24 credit points
Advanced Diploma from VET sector – 0-36 credit points
Diploma or Advanced Diploma from a university – 0-48 credit points
Bachelor Award – 0-48 credit points towards a 3 year award
Bachelor Award – 0-63 credit points towards a 4 year award
Bachelor Award – longer than 4 years – no more than two-thirds of the credit points required for the award.

For qualifications completed at a non-Australian institution, the qualification for which advanced standing is being sought should be evaluated to determine equivalence with an Australian qualification.If equivalence can be determined, both through the status of the institution (eg a registered provider) and the contents and learning outcomes of the qualification, then the above can be used as a guide.In assessing status of a qualification, reference should be made to one of the following:

the JCU International Student Entry Requirements, as approved by Academic Board

Australian Qualifications Framework
Australian Education International - Country Education Profiles
UK NARIC - Country Education Profiles.

4.1.4 Transfer between JCU awards

Where a student transfers from one JCU award to another, advanced standing may be granted for more than two-thirds of the new award, where:

the original award has not been conferred and
there is subject equivalence between the awards.

4.1.5 Advanced Standing for Formal Study – For Incomplete Qualifications

Advanced standing may be sought for a partially completed qualification.Advanced standing may be granted for subjects passed at a university or a recognised provider of post-secondary education, as long as equivalence to JCU subjects can be determined and the advanced standing granted does not exceed the maximum amount as specified in clause 4.1.3 above or by the relevant Award Requirements.

4.1.6 Advanced Standing for Recognised Prior Learning

RPL may contribute to advanced standing by an applicant demonstrating equivalent learning/knowledge by one or more of the following methods, as required by the relevant faculty:

certificates of competency or attendance from industry recognised courses;
observation of workplace skills and practice by a qualified observer designated by the University;
completion of some or all of the assessment requirements (or equivalent) as may be specified by the lecturer-in-charge of the subject for which advanced standing is sought;
interview by expert panel, including one impartial expert in the area;
fully documented portfolio of work completed whilst practising in industry. The authenticity of all work must be certified in writing by a supervisor or by the person/s responsible for commissioning the work;
a comprehensive curriculum vitae accompanied by a statutory declaration, from the applicant, that the information contained in the curriculum vitae is a true and accurate record of the applicants experience.

The maximum Advanced Standing granted towards a three year award, as a result of RPL, is 24 credit points.

The maximum Advanced Standing granted towards a four year, or longer, award, as a result of RPL, is 33 credit points.

4.1.7 Advanced Standing Restrictions

Studies undertaken to fulfil the entry requirements to JCU awards may not be used for advanced standing.

4.2 Postgraduate Awards by Coursework

Advanced standing towards a postgraduate award is only granted from study at postgraduate level undertaken at an approved tertiary institution, except where specified in the Award Rules.

The maximum number of credit points to be granted as advanced standing towards postgraduate awards is 50% of the award credit points.

5. Approval for the Granting of Advanced Standing

The Council Schedule of Delegations – Enrolments specifies who has the authority to approve advanced standing for previous study and RPL.The authority to approve advanced standing is exercised within limits designated by the Heads of Faculties and the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

6. Responsibilities

The Faculties will:

establish procedures for timely consideration of applications,
receive and assess applications for advanced standing transfer,
record the advanced standing transfer on the student's file,
ensure compliance with the operational definition for Articulation and Credit Transfer Standards from the Off-Shore Subject Equivalence policy,
provide an annual report to Academic Board that lists advanced standing approvals which do not comply with this policy and an explanation for that non-compliance, and
consult with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University Services & Registrar, as necessary, to consider the standing of non-Australian institutions and qualifications.

The appropriate staff at JCU Brisbane and JCU Singapore will:

receive and assess applications for advanced standing transfer,
establish procedures for timely consideration of applications for advanced standing,
forward appropriate documentation to the respective Faculty Officers, and
keep adequate records of applications and decisions.

This is done within the limits designated by the relevant Head ofFaculty.

Policy sponsor:	Director, Student & Academic Services
Approval authority:	Academic Board
Version no:	10 - 1
Date for next review:	15/08/2015

Version no.	Approval date	Implementation date	Details
10 - 1	30/08/2010	31/08/2010	Amendments to section 4, and text added under ‘Definitions’.
07 - 1	23/07/2007	24/07/2007	Consequential amendments made to advanced standing details for postgraduate coursework awards on 16/11/09, following approval of Framework for Postgraduate Courses Policy on 20/08/09.