(1) The granting of Advanced Standing for prior learning is an acknowledgement by the University that students have gained the knowledge, understanding and skills equivalent to the stated learning outcomes of programs and units of study offered by the University of Western Sydney. (2) The University accepts that learning takes place in a broad range of contexts - formal study, in the workplace and from life experience. The granting of Advanced Standing for prior learning ensures that students commence study at a level that appropriately recognises their previous learning experiences, and are not required to repeat equivalent successful learning activities undertaken in another context. (3) The University wishes to ensure that students gain an award in the least time possible while adhering to the requirements for the conferring of that award. (4) The University supports the Universities Australia Credit Transfer Guidelines and has developed this policy in line with those guidelines. (5) Applicants to the University may request that their prior learning be assessed for Advanced Standing towards an undergraduate or postgraduate award. Advanced Standing will be granted after an applicant has demonstrated that they have achieved a thorough understanding of the theoretical underpinnings as well as the skills and experiential aspects of the program and unit of study for which they have requested Advanced Standing. (6) The University will undertake assessment procedures that ensure prior learning has been of a comparable standard to that which would allow a student to pass the units of study in a particular award. (7) This policy excludes research higher degrees. (8) Eligibility for Advanced Standing does not guarantee a place in the program. (9) In line with the policy of the Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools, applications for Advanced Standing towards the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery course will only be considered in very exceptional circumstances, by the Dean of Medicine. Those exceptional circumstances are where a student in another Australian Medical Council (AMC) accredited medical course, in a State other than New South Wales, can present compelling compassionate grounds for a transfer to a medical school in New South Wales and can provide the written consent of the Dean of the School from which the student is wishing to transfer. (10) The following definitions apply for the purpose of this policy. (11) For further information on HESA and related definitions / explanations go to the Going to Uni web site. (12) The University may give specified Advanced Standing where prior learning is regarded as having satisfied both the objectives and the assessment requirements of the particular unit taught in the University. (13) This specified Advanced Standing will be granted as units and will be given the value of the equivalent credit points. Such prior learning will normally have been gained through previous study, which has already been assessed by an educational establishment. (14) The University may give unspecified Advanced Standing where prior learning is regarded to be broadly consistent with the outcomes of the program being undertaken without it being directly equivalent to the learning activities and outcomes of specific units taught by the University. The unspecified Advanced Standing will be granted as the equivalent credit points of those unspecified units. Such prior learning may have been gained through work-based experience, life experience, self-tuition, non-accredited professional development programs, TAFE or higher education provider programs. (15) Advanced Standing in a particular course means, in effect, that a student is exempted from some of the units otherwise required for the award. (16) Advanced Standing will be awarded for whole units only. (17) The maximum Advanced Standing that can be granted for awards: (18) Where an award is less than three years full time duration, the student must complete half the total number of credit points for the award as an enrolled student of UWS. (19) The requirement may vary for nested awards or articulated awards where identified and agreed at the time the award is approved for offer by Academic Senate. (20) Under normal circumstances, applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree may receive Advanced Standing up to a maximum of 120 credit points for a three year degree qualification and a maximum of 160 credit points for a four year degree qualification and a maximum of 200 credit points for a five year degree qualification. However, the University may award greater credit (up to the maximum limits as stated above) where a formal articulation agreement exists and where the award that is the subject of the articulation agreement is a completed award. (21) Students will not consume SLE (Student Learning Entitlement) for any units for which they are granted Advanced Standing that counts toward their award course. (22) Students will not be given Advanced Standing for units previously undertaken to meet undergraduate award requirements. An exception will be made for students entering certain professional postgraduate programs, who may be given Advanced Standing if a case is approved by the Education Committee of Academic Senate. (23) Advanced Standing will not be given for mandatory units within a course unless the student has completed clearly comparable units at an equivalent tertiary institution. Where a student has not completed clearly comparable units, Advanced Standing can only be given for non-mandatory units (if any) in the program. (24) At least 50% of the credit points required to gain a postgraduate award must be achieved through formal study at UWS. (25) Applicants for Advanced Standing to be applied to combined or double degrees will be awarded Advanced Standing within the limits of the "Maximum Advanced Standing Available" for undergraduate degrees in this policy. Applicants should be aware that the structure of the combined and double degrees may limit the amount of Advanced Standing that could be applied to the award. (26) At least 50% of the credit points required to gain a Bachelor Honours award must be achieved through formal study at UWS. Advanced Standing or Recognition of Prior Learning will not normally include the thesis component. Applications will be assessed on a case by case basis. (27) The constituent units in nested courses may be given Advanced Standing in accordance with the "Maximum Advanced Standing Available" limits of this policy. (28) Articulation agreements would generally comply with the Policy for Maximum Advanced Standing to be granted for undergraduate (see Clauses 17-21) and postgraduate (see Clauses 22-24) awards. (29) Where an applicant has completed a bachelor degree in an unrelated area, then Advanced Standing will be granted for the open electives in the second bachelor degree. Where an applicant for a post-graduate course has completed an equivalent postgraduate award in an unrelated area, Advanced Standing may be granted. This Advanced Standing will not exceed 50% of the total credit points required for completion of the award. (30) Where a current UWS student has transferred from one degree program to another, the applicant will be eligible to gain full Advanced Standing for units undertaken in their first degree studies, except where the structure of the degree to which they have transferred might limit the amount of Advanced Standing that could be applied to the award. (31) Non-award units, successfully completed at UWS, will be granted equivalent Advanced Standing for these units when the student's enrolment in an award program is confirmed. UWS non-award students will also have the grades achieved for these units transferred to their award enrolment. Other applicants who have successfully completed non-award subjects at other higher education providers will be granted equivalent Advanced Standing. (32) All applicants for Advanced Standing based on non-award studies must comply with the 'Maximum Advanced Standing Available" limits for undergraduate degrees in this policy. (33) The University may require an assessment of the currency of an applicant's knowledge in cases where Advanced Standing is being sought for studies completed ten years or more prior to application. The University will determine the method of assessment. Advanced Standing will not be granted in cases where currency is not proven. (34) In general Advanced Standing will be allocated the following grades for administrative purposes - Specified (K) and Unspecified (L). Non-award units, successfully completed at UWS, will be granted equivalent Advanced Standing for these units and the grades will be transferred when the student's enrolment in an award program is confirmed. (35) An applicant for advanced standing, who wishes to challenge the decision about their advanced standing, must first consult the Head of Program for the course in which he or she is studying, to discuss the matter, so that the Head of Program can determine whether any variation to the decision is appropriate. (36) If, following consultation with the Head of Program, the student remains dissatisfied with the decision and considers he or she has evidence that meets the grounds specified below to lodge an appeal, he or she may appeal, in writing, to the Chair of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee. (The relevant college is the college which offers the course in which the student is studying and to which the Head of Program for the course belongs). (37) The student must ensure that any appeal, together with supporting evidence, is received by the Chair within 15 working days of the date of the letter advising the decision regarding advanced standing. Late appeals will not be considered. (38) An appeal can only be made on one of the following grounds, which must be specified and addressed in the appeal letter: (39) The Chair may determine that no valid grounds for appeal have been stated by the student and that the appeal will therefore not be heard. (40) Otherwise, the Chair will convene a panel to hear the appeal, in accordance with the provisions for the operation of College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee, as detailed in the Academic Senate Standing Committees Policy. (41) The student will not have an automatic right to appear in person before a committee. Appeals should therefore include appropriate documentation (previous academic transcripts, work resume if relevant, etc.) to substantiate the student's grounds for appeal. (42) The Panel may, after seeking information from relevant organisational units regarding reasons for the decision, determine to: (43) The determination of the Panel will be final, except that a student who considers: (44) As Chair of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee, the Chair, Academic Senate, or the Deputy Chair Academic Senate, as his or her nominee, may determine no valid grounds for appeal have been stated by the student and that the appeal will therefore not be heard. (45) Otherwise, the Chair, or Deputy Chair of Academic Senate, as nominee, will convene a meeting of the Committee to hear the further appeal in accordance with the provisions for the operation of the Committee, as detailed in the Academic Senate Standing Committees Policy. (46) Any member of the Committee who has previously been involved with the assessment of a particular case before the Committee must excuse themselves from the Committee for the duration of that case. (47) The Committee must contain at least one member of each gender. (48) A quorum of the Committee will be the Chair and two members, one of whom must be an academic member of staff. (49) Following consideration of the further appeal, the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee may make any determination available to a panel of a College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee under this Policy. (50) A determination by the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee under the provisions of this Policy will be final. (51) The student will not normally have the right to be present when the Committee convenes. A fee for the lodgement of an appeal may apply. This fee will be refunded in the case of a successful appeal. The student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the appeal within twenty working days of the date of lodgement of the appeal. (52) A student may request in writing that Advanced Standing that has been granted not be counted, to allow them to complete a unit or units at UWS. (53) Applicants for Advanced Standing should refer to the Advanced Standing Information Sheet . The University may grant Advanced Standing on the basis of: (54) Where Advanced Standing is being sought on the grounds of study undertaken at an Australian higher education provider or TAFE, or a recognised international institution, the applicant must provide certified documentation (academic transcripts). Applicants will be notified if any additional documentation is required. Where Advanced Standing is being sought on the grounds of study undertaken at a recognised international institution, the applicant must provide official translations of academic transcripts where the language of the conferring institution is other than English. Applicants will be notified if any additional documentation is required. (55) Where Advanced Standing is being sought on the grounds of study undertaken at an approved tertiary institution or other registered training provider, applicants must provide official certification confirming the completion of study and a course outline. Applicants will be notified if any additional documentation is required. Where an articulation agreement exists between the University and the institution where the applicant's study was undertaken, course outlines may not be required. Applicants will be notified if any additional documentation is required. (56) Where Advanced Standing is being sought on the grounds of work-related and/or life experience, the University requires appropriate evidence that the relevant learning outcomes for the units and/or key learning areas have been achieved. The applicant may be required to supply statements from employers, present a portfolio, attend an interview or demonstrate through an appropriate form of assessment, their competence. The evidentiary needs will be established by the Head of Program, in consultation with the Unit Coordinator where applicable. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation for assessment at the time of assessment, in consultation with the Head of Program (or Unit Coordinator where applicable). The University may require an assessment of the currency of an applicant's knowledge in cases where Advanced Standing is being sought for studies completed ten years or more prior to the application. The University will determine the method of assessment. Advanced Standing will not be granted in cases where currency is not proven. (57) Irrespective of whether an applicant has applied for admission to the University through UAC or by direct application, the application for Advanced Standing must be made in writing to the University through the Admissions Unit. Overseas applicants should refer to Clause 62, Overseas Students: Procedures for applying for Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning for additional information on application procedures. (58) If applying through UAC for admission to the University, applications for Advanced Standing must be made to the University at the same time a UAC offer is accepted. All applications should be lodged no later than four weeks prior to the start of the teaching session. Applications after this date will be accepted at the discretion of the Head of Program. The University will not grant Advanced Standing where an application has been made after the approved census date for a unit being studied in that teaching session. (59) Applications for Advanced Standing must be made at the time of the application for admission. All applications should be lodged no later than four weeks prior to the start of a teaching session. Applications after this date will be accepted at the discretion of the Head of Program. The University will not grant Advanced Standing where an application has been made after the approved census date for a unit being studied in that teaching session. (60) Applications for Advanced Standing based on Un-credentialed Learning should be made to the Admissions Unit in the same way as Credit Transfer and Credentialed Learning, however, the assessment of the application will be managed by the relevant Head of Program. Applicants should be aware that the assessment process may take longer and that the applicant may be required to provide further evidence or undertake an appropriate assessment. Applicants will be contacted directly if further evidence is required. Applicants will be notified of the results of their application in writing. This will normally occur within five weeks of the application being received for applications based on Credit Transfer and Credentialed Learning, but may take longer for Advanced Standing based on Un-credentialed Learning. In the case of admissions applications lodged through UAC, applicants may be informed at the time of enrolment. Any application not lodged with the Admissions Unit by the times indicated above will be held over until the next teaching session. (61) The University does not charge an administrative fee for Advanced Standing applications. (62) Applications for Advanced Standing should be lodged with UWS International at the time of applying for admission to the University. In general, applicants will be informed of the amount of Advanced Standing granted in their letter of offer for course admission. However, in some cases the assessment process may take longer than the period necessary to send the offer of admission. Also, the applicant may be required to provide further evidence or undertake an appropriate assessment. Applicants will be contacted directly if further evidence or other action is required. (63) Nil.Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Advanced Standing towards the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery
Section 2 - Definitions
Section 3 - Policy Statement
Specified and Unspecified Advanced Standing
Maximum Advanced Standing
Maximum Advanced Standing to be granted when applying for Undergraduate Awards
Maximum Advanced Standing to be granted when applying for Postgraduate Awards
Maximum Advanced Standing to be granted when applying for Combined and Double Degrees
Maximum Advanced Standing to be granted when applying for Honours Awards
Maximum Advanced Standing to be granted when applying for a course within a group of Nested Courses
Maximum Advanced Standing given for Articulation
Maximum Advanced Standing given for Completed Qualifications
Maximum Advanced Standing given for Current UWS Students who Transfer to another UWS Degree Program either through Internal Transfer or through UAC Entry
Maximum Advanced Standing given for Non-award Units
Time Limits
Grades Issued to Advanced Standing Given
Appeals Against Decisions on Advanced Standing
Relinquishing Advanced Standing
Section 4 - Procedures
Applying for Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit Transfer
Credentialed Learning
Un-credentialed Learning
When to apply for Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning
For Credit Transfer and Credentialed Learning
If applying directly to the University for Admission:
For Un-credentialed Learning
Overseas Students: Procedures for applying for Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning
Section 5 - Guidelines
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may make a further appeal, in writing, to the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee on one, or both, of those grounds. The grounds for appeal must be specified in the student's letter of appeal.