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Advanced Standing Policy

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Section 1 - Purpose

(1) The purpose of this Policy is to provide a framework to enable students to gain credit for prior learning experiences.

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Section 2 - Application

(2) This Policy applies to staff, students and prospective students.

(3) This Policy should be read in conjunction with the Credit for prior learning information on the HiQ website (QUT staff and student access only).

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Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities

Position Responsibility
University Academic Board Determines the amount and type of recognition for prior studies that may be granted in award courses, and may specify different amounts of advanced standing for different categories of award courses or students.
Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar Approves procedural requirements for applications for advanced standing.
Course Coordinator or equivalent delegate
In collaboration with the relevant study area coordinator and/or unit coordinator, determines the amount and type of credit to be granted in accordance with university academic board determinations (where no precedent exists and auto credit is not applied).
May revoke any advanced standing previously granted.
Director, Student Administration Manages advanced standing processes under the delegation of the Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar including the processing of student advanced standing applications in accordance with the advanced standing precedent list (ASPL).
Applicant Gathers and presents evidence to substantiate an advanced standing application submitted in accordance with published procedures and deadlines.
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Section 4 - Applications for Advanced Standing

(4) Where a student is transferring from one QUT course to another; or in cases where an institutional articulation agreement exists, QUT will generally identify the applicable advanced standing at the point of admission without the need for an advanced standing application. Otherwise an advanced standing application is required.

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Section 5 - Advanced Standing Precedents

(5) Advanced standing decisions are recorded on QUT's Advanced Standing Precedent List(ASPL).

(6) All advanced standing decisions based on formal studies undertaken at another provider will be recorded in the Advanced Standing Precedent List.

(7) Advanced standing agreements between institutions at the qualification level will be recorded in the Advanced Standing Precedent List.

(8) Formal advanced standing arrangements generally referred to as articulation agreements will be recorded in the Advanced Standing Precedent List.

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Section 6 - Guidelines for Assessing Advanced Standing

(9) Advanced standing applications are considered in conjunction with an identified student study plan. Where that study plan is subsequently varied, the advanced standing granted may no longer be applicable.

(10) Advanced standing is assessed in accordance with Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 and the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, taking into consideration the following guidelines:

  1. advanced standing must be assessed on the original prior learning;
  2. currency of prior learning must be considered;
  3. advanced standing will not be granted based on failed studies;
  4. advanced standing will be based upon successful completion;
  5. advanced standing must take account of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award level of prior learning;
  6. advanced standing must comply with any external course accreditation requirements;
  7. advanced standing granted cannot exceed the equivalent volume of prior learning on which it is based.
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Section 7 - Minimum Volume of Learning

(11) The maximum amount of advanced standing granted for a course may be restricted due to the following minimum volume of learning requirements:

  1. For courses having a volume of learning of two years of equivalent full-time study or greater, students must complete at least the equivalent of one year of full-time study at QUT in the course.
  2. For courses having a volume of learning of less than two years of equivalent full-time study, students must complete at least one-half of the total credit points at QUT in the course.
  3. Students may be required to complete at least one-half of a study area’s total credit points at QUT.

(12) For double degrees the minimum volume of learning rules will be applied to the component awards.

(13) In cases where a student’s recognised prior cognate studies has resulted in a cognate exemption, the reduced course duration will be used to calculate the minimum volume of learning requirements.

(14) Auto-credited units of advanced standing are not included in the calculation of total maximum advanced standing for exit awards, nested suites and, for component awards previously undertaken in a double degree.

(15) The minimum volume of learning may be increased based on specific course requirements such as work placements; or professional accreditation standards.

(16) The minimum volume of learning may not apply where QUT students are:

  1. entering or exiting pathways as identified in QUT Award Courses Policy, Entry and Exit Pathways;
  2. returning to study as identified in QUT Admission of Students Policy, Return to Study; or
  3. transitioning between courses or course versions due to curriculum change.
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Section 8 - Review of Ruling on Advanced Standing

(17) A student who is dissatisfied with an advanced standing decision is able to request a review in accordance with the Review of Final Unit Grades Policy .

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Section 9 - Definitions

Term Definition
Advanced Standing Means credit for prior learning which contributes towards the volume of learning required to complete a course at QUT. Advanced standing at QUT may be granted as auto-credit, specified advanced standing or general advanced standing.
Advanced Standing Precedent Is an approved advanced standing decision that is available for reuse in subsequent, comparable advanced standing applications.
Auto-Credit Is granted when the student has passed the same QUT unit within a specified timeframe. When granted auto-credit, the grade from the unit is given.
Cognate Exemption Is advanced standing granted upon admission that reduces the course duration in  recognition of prior cognate studies.
General Advanced Standing Is granted where a student's prior learning is assessed as contributing towards course learning outcomes and is recorded as a number of credit points towards a component of a QUT course.
Specified Advanced Standing Is granted where a student's prior learning is assessed as satisfying the learning outcomes of a specific unit or units.
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Section 10 - Delegations

(18) Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (C107, C108, C109) (QUT staff access only).