Advanced Standing Application Overview

What is Advanced Standing?

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.

Exemption (Preclusion)

A term used when a student has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the relevant School or Course Co-ordinator, that the student has previously gained competence in the subject matter of a particular UNE unit, such that the student is not required to complete that unit. Exemption may be granted where the previous learning, which forms the basis of the application, would not attract advanced standing or where the rules of a particular award do not allow for advanced standing. Typically the student will select a different unit for study in lieu of the unit for which exemption has been granted.

Assessment of Advanced Standing

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

Once the applications for advanced standing have been assessed by the School, they are then validated to ensure that each unit assessed fits into your Program of Study. When this process is complete your outcome may be viewed through MyUNE, and an email with the outcome will be sent to your UNE email address. The outcome of Unsuccessful Advanced Standing Applications will be sent to your UNE email address.

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.

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 advanced standing may be unspecified and if you are still required to progress through prerequisites 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 by checking the UNE Course Handbook course rules for the year you commenced your Course.

Advanced Standing Processing and High-Demand Courses

In some high-demand courses (typically some teacher education programs and law degrees), advanced standing processing will not start until you have been accepted for enrolment (which is the second stage after admission).  Because the decision on your acceptance is after the application date, it is critical that your papers are complete - delays in obtaining unit descriptions from you may mean we cannot process your advanced standing to advise you before your enrolment starts.