Apply for credit

Apply for credit

If you have undertaken relevant prior study or learning, you can apply for this to count towards your current RMIT program.

What is credit?

Credit (also known as Recognition of Prior Learning) is the recognition of previous study or learning that can be counted towards a current program. This can reduce the number of units (courses) needed to complete your RMIT program, which means the length and cost of your studies are reduced and you don’t need to spend time learning things you already know.

Am I eligible?

If you have completed relevant study or have relevant work or life experiences in the area of your current study at RMIT, you should consider applying for credit.

You can apply for credit for:

  • Formal learning – Accredited study undertaken at a university or TAFE (e.g. a bachelor’s degree or courses at another institution).
  • Non-accredited learning outside of a qualification – Professional development, training, workshops, short courses or seminars.
  • Work or life experience – Skills obtained through work, employment, an internship, volunteering or social activities.
  • Professional accreditation – You have an accreditation but you haven't practised recently or it has expired.

All applications must be supported by documented evidence of your prior learning or experience unless your previous study was completed at RMIT University.

When should I apply?

Applications for credit should be submitted after you have enrolled, but before your program commences and classes start. If you submit your application late, there is no guarantee that it will be assessed before census date, which means you may still need to complete the course you are seeking credit for or be liable for tuition and other fees.

If you are undertaking a Higher Degree by Research program, you should submit your credit transfer application at least 20 working days before the first teaching day of the course for which you are seeking credit.

How to apply

To apply for credit, you must:

  1. Download and complete the relevant credit transfer form/s depending on the type of credit you are applying for (see below).
  2. Gather any supporting documentation required (listed in the relevant form).
  3. Complete a Credit Transfer Request via the Student Connect Online Portal and attach your completed form/s and supporting documentation.

It generally takes up to 20 working days for your credit request to be assessed. Longer periods may apply during peak admissions and enrolment times. You will receive an email about the outcome of your application to your RMIT student email account. It may take 5-10 days from the date of your approval email for your credit to appear in your academic record in Enrolment Online.
 

Credit transfer forms

If you are applying for credit for... Use this form

Formal learning undertaken in the last ten years

Use this form if you completed part, or all, of an accredited qualification at RMIT or another university or TAFE in the past 10 years (e.g. a bachelor’s degree or courses at another institution).

Credit Transfer – Higher Education and Vocational Education Application Form (PDF, 312KB)

Non-accredited learning or work or life experience

Use these forms if your learning was not part of an accredited qualification (e.g. professional development, training, workshops, short courses or seminars) or work or life experience (e.g. skills obtained through work, employment, an internship, volunteering or social activities).

Higher education students*

Vocational education students**

Accreditation obtained from a professional body

If you completed an accredited qualification but have not been practising recently or your accreditation has expired.

 Contact the RMIT School that runs programs/courses in the relevant interest area

* For Bachelor Degrees, Associate Degrees and Postgraduate qualifications

** For Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas

FAQs about credit transfer

Expand all sections

Higher education programs

The amount of credit you can apply for is based on your program. To be eligible to graduate, you must successfully complete at least 96 credit points or 50% of your program, whichever is less.

Vocational education programs

There is no maximum limit on the amount of credit you can receive as a vocational education student. 

Research programs

Only the coursework aspects of research programs are eligible for credit. There is no limit to the number of courses for which you can receive credit.

OUA students

Credit will only be applied once you're registered for your RMIT program.

To be eligible to graduate with a qualification from RMIT, you must complete a minimum of 96 credit points or 50% of your program, whichever is less, at RMIT.

Domestic students

Where RMIT can identify students who are eligible for credit that has already been approved (e.g. through an approved credit arrangement or advanced standing), this credit may be applied when you receive your offer. Applicants who receive credit at offer may also apply for further credit after enrolment.

International students

If you are an international student, you should request to be assessed for credit when you submit your application, and prior to accepting an offer. This will ensure that you have the correct duration on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

If you are applying from an approved partner institution, you are not required to submit a syllabus unless otherwise advised.

If assessed as eligible, applicants will receive an offer outlining the credit available and the process for accepting.

Higher education

There is no cost when applying for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning.

Vocational education

There is no cost when applying for a credit transfer. The cost for recognition of prior learning is the standard tuition fee for the course where credit is granted.

No, if you are granted credit for a course before the course census date, RMIT will withdraw your enrolment for the relevant course/s you have been granted credit for. If you are granted credit after the course census date and withdraw from a course, you may still be liable for fees or possible academic penalty.

There are different types of grades which may appear on your transcript for credit transfer. See Grades for more information.

If you receive credit for previous study undertaken at RMIT, in some circumstances the grades you obtained in your previous course will be transferred to the new course and appear on your academic transcript. This includes fail grades.

If you are granted credit transfer this could shorten your expected program duration which could affect your student visa expiry date. It is very important that you contact your RMIT Program Coordinator or Manager if you think the time you need to complete your program will change.

If you are receiving a benefit from Centrelink this could be affected if your study load changes due to an approved credit application.

Yes, however you must first get approval from your Program Coordinator or Manager before you enrol at the other institution, including Global Experience Study Abroad programs.

All applications are assessed in line with the Credit Process and Admission and Credit Policy to determine whether you can be granted either credit transfer or recognition of prior learning based on the details provided in your application.

Yes, if you're dissatisfied with the outcome of your credit transfer application you may seek a review of the decision by replying to the outcome email within five working days of the outcome email being sent.

If you're still dissatisfied, you can appeal the decision by completing the Appeal against recognition of prior learning, recognition of current competency and credit transfer application form. This must be submitted within 20 working days from when you received the outcome of your credit application.

As stated in the Admission and Credit Policy/Credit Process document, masters advanced standing exemptions may be available in masters by coursework programs. This will be assessed at the time of program application, and the credit form does not need to be completed.

Need help?

Contact Student Connect.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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