• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Application
• Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards
• Section 5 - Applications for Advanced Standing
• Section 6 - Advanced Standing Precedents
• Section 7 - Guidelines for Assessing Advanced Standing
• Section 8 - Minimum Volume of Learning
• Section 9 - Review of Ruling on Advanced Standing
• Section 10 - Delegations
• Section 11 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

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

Section 2 - Application

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

Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities

Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards

(3) This Policy assists the University satisfy the provision of standards within 1.2 Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning, specifically Standard 1.2.1 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, that the assessment of prior learning “is conducted according to institutional policies”.

Section 5 - Applications for Advanced Standing

(4) A student seeking advanced standing in an award course must submit an application with the required evidence, unless:

1. the student is transferring from one QUT course to another; or 
2. an institutional articulation agreement exists.

(5) Where a student is not required to submit an application, QUT will generally identify and process the applicable advanced standing at the point of admission to the award course.

Section 6 - Advanced Standing Precedents

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

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

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

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

Section 7 - Guidelines for Assessing Advanced Standing

(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.

(11) Advanced standing for QUT You is considered in conjunction with the QUT Award Courses Policy.

(12) 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.

(13) Further information is provided in the Advanced Standing Protocols (QUT staff access only).

Section 8 - Minimum Volume of Learning

(14) The maximum amount of advanced standing granted for a course must be considered in conjunction with the QUT Award Courses Policy and 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.

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

(16) 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.

(17) 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.

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

(19) 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.

Section 9 - Review of Ruling on Advanced Standing

(20) A student who is dissatisfied with an advanced standing decision is able to request a review in accordance with the Review of Academic Rulings Policy.

Section 10 - Delegations

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

Section 11 - Definitions