Advanced standing

Credit transfer is awarded based on previous relevant studies completed successfully within the past seven years.

To apply for credit transfer, you must complete and submit the advanced standing electronic form, together with relevant supporting documents:

• Official Academic Record
• Unit outlines* 
• Certificates/diplomas

Please note: if you're seeking credit for units completed at CDU, you don't need to supply the above supporting documents.

If you're seeking credit for study completed more than seven years ago, but have relevant professional experience, you should consider applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

*Unit outlines must be specific to the teaching period in which the unit was undertaken and must include: aims/objectives, learning outcomes, assessment items, resources required and institutional identifiers (web links are not accepted, these must be converted to PDF before submission).

Credit transfer available in higher education for completed awards in the same field or discipline

RPL is a process of advanced standing where credit is granted based upon the assessment of a student's prior formal, non-formal and informal learning (or a combination thereof) to determine the extent to which the student has achieved the required learning outcomes of a specified unit. 

How to apply

1. Check your course structure in the Course Catalogue
2. Check the unit content and learning outcomes for each unit to determine formal, non-formal and informal learning meets each learning outcome.  
3. To apply for RPL, you must complete and submit the advanced standing electronic form, together with relevant supporting documents*:
   • a statement addressing the unit content and learning outcomes
   • recent resume
   • letter of support from your employer.

*Additional evidence may be requested after the initial assessment by your Course Coordinator.

For further information, contact Student Central.

For incomplete study at this institution

The University will grant full credit for units completed within the past 7 years or if professional practice and personal development has been undertaken within the field this could be extended to 10 years.

For all study completed at another institution, or completed study at CDU

To receive a Charles Darwin University award, a student must complete a minimum of one third of the award, or a minimum of one year full-time equivalent, whichever is the lesser, provided that the relevant course rules are met.

* Award requirements for the new course must still be met by students in relation to core and specialist units for the award.

Other considerations for credit transfer from completed Higher Education awards

• Credit can only be counted from one completed award to one Higher Education program.
• Credit transfer is mapped at the unit level.
• Professional and para-professional experience, subsequent training and other experience may be taken into account. Students enrol in the unit and are assessed and given a PA grade.
• The previous study must be considered to be relevant to the course and of a similar standard and duration.
• Higher Education credit older than 7 years normally is not eligible for Credit Transfer. In exceptional circumstances,  credit older than 7 years may be approved, where the learning is still deemed relevant
• Credit for courses should only be granted for qualifications obtained within the past 7 years. If you're seeking credit for study completed more than seven years ago, but have relevant professional experience, you should consider applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• All students are exempted from the two Common Units even if they have not completed any Common Units previously (a completed advanced standing electionic form is required).
• Students who have completed awards must apply for the new award via SATAC.