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Apply for Credit for Previous Study

Applying for credit for formal learning (previous study) or informal/non-formal learning (e.g. work experience) can help you complete your course in a shorter timeframe and save on overall course fees.

With the exception of those applicants listed below, you can apply for a credit assessment at any time. We recommend you do so before the closing due date of your first study period at JCU.  If we don’t receive your application by the closing due date your application will be assessed for the following study period:

  • Future international students who do not have an Offer at JCU need to submit a course application. Once you have done this you can submit an application for credit.
  • Applicants in Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, cannot apply for credit until you have received an Offer into the respective course.

Please see our Course and Subject Handbook which will provide you with details on how much credit you may be eligible to receive and any other rules.

Formal Learning is part of a structured program that leads to the full or partial achievement of an officially accredited qualification undertaken at a tertiary institution (e.g., a university, TAFE, or private college).

In most cases credit for formal study can only be assessed if the courses/subjects were completed in the last 10 years.   In some cases this time limit is less and you should check the Course and Subject Handbook to ensure your prior study was within the appropriate time limit.

Some formal study is pre-approved and you can use our credit calculator to view current articulation agreements and precedents.  If you can’t find any credit listed in the calculator, still apply as we will assess your circumstances individually.

Credit Calculator

If transferring credit from another institution, you must provide:

  • a completed Credit Transfer Subject Equivalence Form supported by:
  • a Statement of Results or Academic Transcript including details of the grading system; and
  • a detailed course/qualification outline showing the sequence of units studied in terms of core (compulsory) and any optional (elective, major or specialisation) units; and
  • detailed unit/subject outlines that include learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and performance/assessment criteria).If providing a link to outlines, please ensure it doesn’t require a login.

Sometimes JCU may need further information and will contact you if this is the case. You may also want to provide other information you consider relevant.  Supporting documents must be an exact copy of originals in English.

Informal Learning is gained through work, social, family, hobby or leisure activities and experiences. Informal Learning is not organised or externally structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support.

Non-formal Learning takes place through a structured program of learning but does not lead to an officially accredited qualification

If applying for credit based on informal/non-formal learning you will need to provide:

  • a completed Informal/Non-Formal Learning Profile Form supported by:
    • Personal Information
      • Certificates / qualifications/licenses / tickets;
      • Statements of Attainment, Attendance or Participation;
      • Schedules, clinical or service hours log;
      • Industry awards / prizes / certificates;
      • Professional or trade memberships/registrations.
      • Resume, or curriculum vitae (with associated statutory declaration);
    • Workplace Information
      • A portfolio of documents used/developed in the workplace;
      • Samples of work presentations, designs, correspondence, reports, or projects;
      • Workplace records, forms, websites, blogs or wikis;
      • Photographs or videos of work.
    • .Third Party Information
      • Statement of professional or voluntary service from current or previous employers, supervisors, trainers or qualified colleagues. It must be on company letterhead, contain organisational contact details, display the date of issue, detail duties, responsibilities and length of service in full or part-time capacity and identify the name or qualifications and signature of the authorised person.
  • Bachelor of Social Work / Master of Social Work for your first placement

Please note that if it is not clear with the informal/non-formal supporting documentation provided that learning outcomes have been achieved, completion of assessment requirements (or equivalent) may be specified by the coordinator of the subject for which credit is sought.

Sometimes JCU may need further information and will contact you if this is the case. You may also want to provide other information you consider relevant.  Supporting documents must be an exact copy of originals in English.

Closing dates outlined in Important Dates are set to allow for sufficient time to process your application and if necessary give you enough time to modify your subject selection. We strongly recommend you lodge your application at least four weeks before the start of the study period which includes the subject you are seeking credit for.

If we don’t receive your application by the closing due date listed in the Important Dates your application will be assessed for the following study period.

Complete the Application for Credit and attach the appropriate supporting documents including the Credit Transfer Subject Equivalence Form and/or Informal/Non Formal Learning Profile Form.

When will you hear back

We will email your JCU student account with an outcome within 20 University working days of receipt of a complete application.

Further information

For further information, visit Ask Us – there are more than 1,000 commonly asked questions and answers available 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions

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