Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

This Policy specifies the Australian Catholic University (ACU) requirements for the granting of credit to students for their prior learning, including the types of learning that may be recognised, the procedures for recognition and the types of credit that may be granted.

2.1 This policy applies to all ACU undergraduate and postgraduate award courses.

2.2 This policy will be applied subject to the Academic Regulations which specifies:

1. the types of credit which can be granted;
2. the maximum allowable credit;
3. the minimum level of studies required for an award of ACU; and
4. limits on credit for recognised prior learning.

3.1 Learning may be achieved through formal, non-formal or informal pathways, and may be recognised for purposes of entry to a course or obtaining credit towards an undergraduate or postgraduate award.

3.2 Within the context of recognising prior learning, ACU is responsible for ensuring:

1. the quality and integrity of ACU qualifications;
2. the applicants’ likely success in a course; and
3. that external accreditation/registration requirements are met.

3.3 Any assessment of prior learning will:

1. be evidence-based, equitable and transparent; and
2. facilitate students' movement between institutions and between courses.

Terms used in this policy and associated procedures are consistent with the ACU Glossary of Terms. The following specific definitions also apply:

Formal Learning: The learning that takes place through a structured program of learning undertaken at an accredited education provider that leads to the full or partial achievement of an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualification, or microcredentials and other officially accredited qualifications recognised by ACU.

Informal Learning: The learning gained through work, social, family, hobby or leisure activities and experiences. Unlike formal and non-formal learning, informal learning is not organised or externally structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support.

Learning or competency outcomes: A learning or competency outcome that a learner should be able to demonstrate as a result of being involved in a learning process. The learning should indicate a conceptual as well as a practical understanding of the knowledge or competency required and should be applicable outside the environment in which it was acquired.

Non-Formal learning: The learning that takes place though a structured program of learning but which does not lead to an officially accredited qualification.

5.1 RPL may be used for the purpose of:

1. gaining entry to an academic program at ACU; and/or
2. gaining credit for units in a course.

5.2 The authority for approving recognition of prior learning for coursework students are subject to the Delegations of Authority Policy and Register.

5.3 The relevant Course Coordinator will:

1. assist applicants to identify the learning or competency outcomes associated with their prior learning and identify areas where claims for credit might be made; and
2. make decisions on applications for credit consistent with the Procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning.

5.4 Any assessment for RPL will:

1. be evidence and outcome-based;
2. be equitable, transparent and accountable; and
3. be subject to quality assurance comparable to the relevant assessment practices and standards at ACU; and
4. ensure that discipline requirements are maintained, including the requirements of accreditation/registration bodies.

5.5 The processes for assessing RPL are designed to:

1. match an applicant's skills, knowledge and experiences to specific admissions requirements, professional requirements and/or unit or course learning and competency outcomes; and
2. assess an applicant's attainments against those requirements and outcomes.

6.1 Internal pathways are listed in Schedule 7 of the Admissions to Coursework Programs Policy. Completion of a pathway program may:

1. constitute one of the entry requirements for nominated course(s); or
2. provide guaranteed entry to nominated course(s); and
3. result in credit for students entering via the pathway where specified in the relevant course rules.

6.2 Microcredentials may be aggregated for credit against ACU units and/or award courses in accordance with the Structuring Coursework Programs Policy.

6.3 Any formal arrangement for recognising credit from an external institution towards an ACU course must be:

1. specified in an agreement in accordance with the Third Party and Educational Partnerships Policy; and
2. registered in the ACU Educational Partnership Register.

7.1 Where eligibility for entry to a course on the basis of RPL is approved, the approval will relate to that specific course only and will not automatically be transferable to any other course.

7.2 Eligibility for credit does not guarantee a place in any course for which credit may be granted.

8.1 Credit granted on the basis of RPL, will take the form of specified credit, block credit or unspecified credit, in accordance with the Academic Regulations.

8.2 Specified Credit:

is credit granted for one or more units of a program; and

may be granted where there is equivalence of learning outcomes and discipline content measured by the volume, depth and breadth of content and assessment approaches between the previous successfully completed unit and the unit(s) for which credit is sought and the unit can be used to meet pre-requisite requirements.

8.3 Block Credit: 

1. is credit granted for complete sections of the program, equivalent to at least one semester; 
2. will be applied automatically to students with the agreed completed qualification in an articulation pathway; 
3. may be granted where an applicant has completed whole semesters(s) of study in a similar program at a similar level of study; and
4. must be granted against a combination of specified and unspecified (elective) units of programs.

8.4 Unspecified Credit: 

1. is credit granted for elective components of programs where previous study does not correspond precisely with specified components of the program; and
2. cannot be granted in programs which do not contain electives.

8.5 The maximum credit limit which may be granted towards any course or program at ACU will be determined by Academic Board and be defined in the Academic Regulations.

8.6 Credit granted on the basis of formal, non-formal or informal learning will be subject to the time limit as defined in the Credit for previous study or learning section of the Academic Regulations.

8.7 Where credit towards a course on the basis of RPL is approved, the approval will relate to that specific course only and will not automatically be transferable to any other unit or course.

9.1 Any student wishing to apply for review of or to appeal a decision relating to RPL, or the granting of credit, must do so in accordance with the Student Appeals Policy.