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E/4.2 Advanced standing |
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4.2.1 Policy statement 4.2.1 Policy statementQUT's advanced standing policy aims to optimise student progression through award courses by recognising prior learning outcomes as the basis for satisfying some course requirements. Advanced standing may be based on formal and/or informal learning. Key objectives of the policy are to:
QUT’s policy on advanced standing is made under Student Rule 17(1), and should be read in conjunction with procedural information on the Student Services website. 4.2.2 Definition of advanced standingAdvanced standing is the term used to specify what is granted to a student on the basis of prior learning. Advanced standing is expressed in terms of the unit(s) and number of credit points that the student is not required to undertake in their QUT course because of the prior learning. Advanced standing is categorised as specified advanced standing or unspecified advanced standing.
In cases where a QUT student is transferring between courses and has already completed a particular unit in another QUT course, no advanced standing application is necessary where the unit in the new course has the same unit code and version as that undertaken in the original course. Under these conditions the unit is automatically added into the student's new study plan, together with the grade achieved. The original grade is included in any GPA calculation for the new course. The number of units that are transferred in this manner is not limited by rules relating to maximum advanced standing that is available on the basis of the length of the award course. In cases where a QUT student is transferring between courses and has already completed a particular unit in another QUT course, an advanced standing application is required where the unit in the new course is a different version from that undertaken in the original course. However, the number of units that are transferred in this manner is not limited by rules relating to maximum advanced standing that is available on the basis of the length of the award course. The status recorded is ‘Exempt’; this does not contribute to any GPA calculation. Advanced standing granted to a student is considered to be provisional until the student meets all prescribed administrative requirements such as the submission of relevant documentation. In the case of cross-institutional enrolment, this includes evidence of satisfactory completion of any pre-approved units undertaken. 4.2.3 Applications for advanced standingStudents can apply for advanced standing either with their application for admission to the University or at any later time during their studies. An application for advanced standing will not be accepted prior to an application for admission. Any advanced standing that is granted must be considered in conjunction with an identified study plan. Where a study plan is based on a student’s nominated major and that major is subsequently varied by the student, advanced standing applied in relation to the first major proposed may no longer be applicable to the study plan for the new major. 4.2.4 Advanced standing precedent listA comprehensive and student-friendly advanced standing precedent list (ASPL) will enable prospective students to assess in a reliable manner the amount of advanced standing they are likely to receive on admission to a QUT award course. The QUT ASPL ensures consistency and efficiency of decision-making. A precedent records an advanced standing decision with the aim of applying that decision to subsequent comparable cases. Precedent decisions include those of non-equivalent as well as those of equivalent learning outcomes. The database of precedents, together with other advanced standing determinations, constitutes the QUT ASPL. The following decisions on advanced standing must be recorded in the ASPL:
The ASPL database must be consulted in relation to any advanced standing application being considered. To ensure that the use of the ASPL remains soundly based academically, ASPL entries should include a designated time limit, and must be monitored regularly by the relevant academic coordinator. The Director, Student Business Services, is the data custodian for the ASPL. 4.2.5 Principles in the determination of advanced standingApplications for advanced standing are assessed in the first instance against the ASPL. Where no precedent exists such that a new assessment must be made, with the outcome subsequently added to the ASPL, the following principles will apply. (a) Determinations on advanced standing are made at the most appropriate academic level (b) Maximum advanced standing available is based on the length of the award course to which the advanced standing will be applied A student may be granted advanced standing up to a designated maximum limit, dependent on the length of the University award course to which the advanced standing will be applied and the nature of the prior learning.
Note that, in the case of a student transferring between a QUT double degree and one of the component degrees, transfer of any relevant units that have been successfully completed will occur automatically. (c) Currency of prior formal learning must be taken into account The granting of advanced standing normally relies on currency of a student's knowledge. Consideration in any advanced standing decision should be given to whether knowledge in the field is suitably current or has become dated, for example by changes in practice or technology. (d) Advanced standing for credentialled prior learning requires original evidence Where the basis for advanced standing is formal learning from an approved institution, the advanced standing is granted only on the basis of original evidence of successful completion. Approved domestic institutions are those listed with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Register of Recognised Education Institutions and Authorised Accreditation Authorities Australia. International institutions and qualifications are assessed on a case by case basis using recognised resources for the assessment of international qualifications. Subject to this section, previous non-award studies at QUT or another institution may be the basis for an application for advanced standing. (e) Advanced standing is dependent on the award level of prior formal learning Advanced standing for formal learning is normally granted at the same award level. Advanced standing for prior learning at bachelor level, for example, would be granted towards a bachelor level award course at QUT. Advanced standing will normally be granted for prior studies undertaken at a lower award level only where a formal advanced standing arrangement exists, or where the different level courses are part of a nested suite or approved articulating set of courses and a higher award level in the suite has not already been completed. (f) Advanced standing for credentialled learning is to be based on grades equivalent to QUT grades of 4 or higher Advanced standing will not be granted on the basis of failed studies or on the basis of advanced standing or exemptions obtained in prior formal learning. To maintain academic standards, advanced standing based on non-QUT study must be equivalent to a QUT grade of 4 or higher. In the case of overseas qualifications, an appropriate assessment should be made to meet the intent of this requirement. (g) Advanced standing for uncredentialled learning requires appropriate evidence Advanced standing may be granted on the basis of informal or uncredentialled learning, such as professional work or life experience, provided that appropriate evidence is provided. Advanced standing applications must be considered on a case by case basis, taking into account the individual student's circumstances, award course and the documentary evidence provided. Due to the unstructured and highly variable nature of uncredentialled learning, this type of advanced standing cannot be the subject of any precedents; care nevertheless must be taken by course coordinators to maintain consistency over student/course cohorts. 4.2.6 Advanced standing arrangements - ATN universitiesIt is intended that, as far as possible, ATN students admitted to related courses at an ATN partner university will experience minimal disruption to normal progression in their studies. However, the credit received will be subject to course structures and to QUT's advanced standing policies and procedures. 4.2.7 Advanced standing arrangements - Vocational and Technical Educational (VET) sectorThe University is committed to working with the VET sector to establish a range of pathways through which QUT's courses are linked with VET courses. Pathways that have been developed range from advanced standing arrangements through to combined award courses with merged curricula and a single point of entry. For further details, refer to C/3.2. 4.2.8 Review of ruling on advanced standingA student who is dissatisfied with the outcome of an application for advanced standing may appeal the decision. Refer to Student Rule 46. 4.2.9 ProceduresUnder Student Rule 17(2), the Registrar determines procedural requirements for applications for advanced standing. Procedural requirements are available from the Student Services website. The Student Business Services Department is responsible for managing advanced standing processes. Related DocumentsMOPP C/3.1 Courses and awards MOPP C/3.2 Award classifications Modification History
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