Recognition of prior learning

If you’ve already completed some relevant study, you may be eligible to apply for credit that may count towards the requirements for the degree you are applying for.

If you have previously completed study at another institution or in a different course at the University of Tasmania (UTAS), it may be eligible to count towards the requirements of the degree you are applying for. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Advanced Standing.

Advanced Standing (credit) may be granted as either specific credit for a particular unit, or non-specific credit where prior learning meets the required level but does not align to a specific unit. The type of credit determines how it is applied and recorded in your study plan and academic transcript. To receive credit, you must apply and provide evidence of your prior learning.

Domestic Students

You must have received an offer for your course, accepted it, and be admitted before applying for credit. If you have not yet applied to study, you do so via this link. If you have completed previous study with UTAS within the last 10 years and are applying for a new course, your previously completed units will automatically be assessed for credit towards your new course. This process usually takes place within 2 weeks of admission.

International Students

You may apply for credit at the time of your course application or, if you are already admitted, by completing the online form using the steps outlined below.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted with all required documentation by the Friday prior to Week 1 of the commencing intake. Applications received after this deadline, or submitted without the necessary documentation, will result in students remaining financially and academically liable for any units in which they are enrolled for that intake, including units for which credit is not granted.

This deadline does not apply to units in future study periods that have not yet commenced. Where a student applies before the start of a future study period, any eligible credit can still be awarded, and no liability will be incurred for those units.

Credit applications may take up to four weeks to be assessed. Applicants are therefore advised to submit their applications well in advance of the commencement of the study period and prior to the relevant deadline. If an application is unsuccessful and enrolment in the unit(s) has not been completed, there is a risk of missing the enrolment deadline.

What to provide for a credit assessment

  • Nominate your intended major within the undergraduate degree, or your specialisation within the postgraduate degree, for which you are applying.
  • a copy of your academic transcript.
  • complete unit outlines corresponding to the year in which your study was undertaken (e.g. if your study was completed in 2018, unit outlines must be from 2018). Unit outlines include:
    • Full unit description
    • Learning outcomes
    • Teaching outline of weekly topics covered
    • Textbook list
    • Teaching hours
    • Assessment details
    • Prerequisites for entry

Unit outlines are typically made available upon commencement of the unit. If you do not have access to these documents, please contact your previous institution to obtain them.

  • If you have indicated that you have completed your previous course, but this is not reflected on your academic transcript, you must provide evidence of completion in the form of a copy of your testamur (i.e. an official certificate confirming completion of an award course of study).
  • If you are seeking credit based on work experience, please provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) detailing the duration and nature of your experience. In addition, you must submit a statement outlining your experience and demonstrating how it meets the Intended Learning Outcomes of the unit(s) for which you are seeking credit, along with any relevant supporting documentation.

If you seeking credit towards 53X Bachelor of Paramedicine or Z1K Diploma of Sustainable Living you will need to match up your previously completed units with the units you are seeking credit for at UTAS.

Please have a look at your unit outlines and try to identify from your course and unit handbook which units they are equivalent to.


It may be helpful to match up units if you are admitted into any other course.