Recognition of prior learning and articulation
Advanced standing is the recognition of successful prior studies taken at other institutions that have equivalence to similar studies at UNE. This means that once advanced standing is given, you are not required to study those UNE units. Advanced standing may also be called Recognition of Prior Learning or Credit Transfer.
Recognition of Current Competency is different and is a process of assessing competency rather than knowledge. It can be applied to some specialist professional courses that use Competency Based Assessment Techniques, however, it cannot be normally proven except by a physical demonstration.
Few courses accept applications for advanced standing on the basis of work experience or professional experience. Additionally, when permissible within degree rules, applications require proof of achievement of the same learning outcomes equivalent to that of a UNE student. The application documentation (typically a portfolio of work) is extensive.
The assessment standard for advanced standing is:
- equivalency in level, content and rigour (the units are as demanding as UNE units);
- previous studies must be less than 10 years old (there are a few exceptions to this such as mathematics); and
- previous studies are equivalent to UNE units and are approved for your UNE degree.
Assessment Process
Applications for advanced standing are referred to the academic staff in the disciplines closest to the area of previous studies. Once the applications for advanced standing have been assessed by the Schools, they are then forwarded to Enrolment and Progression for validation to ensure that the unit/s assessed fit into your course structure. When this process is completed your outcome can be viewed on the Student Portal and then an outcome letter will be sent to you.
It is normal to sift the information sent to the academic staff to remove units that have no UNE equivalent or are obviously not allowable in the part UNE degree. For example, a completed TAFE course in photography would not be relevant for enrolment in a BSc degree because UNE does not teach photography nor is it part of the BSc. Such an application will not be processed.
Types of Advanced Standing
Advanced standing awarded is of two basic types:
- Specified Advanced Standing
Units which have a direct equivalence to UNE units. This advanced standing will be described in UNE unit terms (for example, “granted advanced standing for AFM322”). - Unspecified Advanced Standing
Units which are similar to UNE units in level and rigour but there is no direct equivalent at UNE. This advanced standing will be described in UNE degree terms (for example, “granted 12cp unspecified advanced standing in Group 2”).
Unspecified advanced standing cannot be given in some courses, especially those with professional accreditation requirements.
Applying for Advanced Standing for a Practicum
When applying for advanced standing for a Practicum unit applications are to be sent to the Advanced Standing Officer in the Student Centre at the University of New England. The advanced standing officer will then liaise with the Director of Professional Experience Office about the application.
Applications for advanced standing based on a practicum undertaken whilst enrolled at another higher education institution must be accompanied by a copy of the Professional Experience Report/s and a statement advising the number of days of practicum completed whilst enrolled at the other institution.
Applications for advanced standing based on current or past teaching experience or practicum must be accompanied by previous Professional Experience Reports including clear evidence of number of day’s completed and/or documentary evidence of teaching from the school/institution.
Advanced standing is rarely given for ED 901 – Practicum I.
Maximum Amount of Advanced Standing
The degree rules for your course, as well as UNE policy, will determine the maximum amount of advanced standing that you can receive. Your actual grant may be lower than the maximum if this is required to give space in your course to complete major and/or prerequisite requirements.
Advanced Standing and Periods of Candidature
Where a maximum period of candidature is specified for your course, this is reduced in proportion to your grant of advanced standing. For example, if you are studying part-time in a 10 years maximum part-time candidature course, a 72 credit points (50%) award of advanced standing will result in the maximum part-time period being reduced to 5 years.
Additionally, some full-time students will still take 3 years to complete a 3 year degree (or whatever the normal course's length). This is because the advance standing may be unspecified and you are still required to progress through prerequisites etc and this will take a three-year cycle to complete. You cannot always assume that your advanced standing will reduce your enrolled time in the degree. This may have an effect upon CentreLink benefits.
Specific Courses Policies
Some courses have specific policies about what you must do to complete your degree after the award of advanced standing (such as a minimum number of final year units). It is your responsibility to be aware of these policies.
Articulated Courses (Transfer Agreements)
Some degrees are specifically designed for a graduate of specific programs. In these cases the advanced standing is automatic and unit information is not required. However, the automatic advanced standing is based upon the completed program. Incomplete programs are assessed unit-by-unit for which unit information is required. For some courses, no admission is possible unless the specific program has been completed.
Further detailed information can be accessed within The Policy on Advanced Standing.
http://www.une.edu.au/policies/pdf/advancedstanding.pdf
