• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Matching Proposals with the University's Objectives
• Proposing an Articulation Pathway or Articulation Pathway Agreement
• Determining Advanced Standing/Guaranteed Entry
• Referral of a Formal Proposal for Approval
• After Approval
• Reviewing and Re-Accrediting Pathways
• Establishing Pathways with Australian VET Sector Providers
• Establishing Pathways with Overseas Providers
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) This Policy defines the objectives of providing students with clearly articulated pathways between a course or courses of the University and those of other educational institutions, by means of the award of advanced standing and/or guaranteed entry. It also outlines the processes to be followed in the development, approval and recording of pathways.

(2) The Policy applies to agreements with both higher education providers or vocational education and training providers, whether Australian or overseas providers, and whether public or private.

(3) This Policy is to be read in conjunction with the Advanced Standing Policy.

Section 2 - Definitions

(4) The following definitions apply for the purposes of this policy.

1. Advanced Standing - credit, expressed in the form of a specified number of credit points, towards an award course, granted on the basis of previous, successfully completed studies or prior learning. For definitions of types of advanced standing, refer to the Advanced Standing Policy.
2. Articulation Pathway - a formally agreed and approved admission route, for a graduate or enrolled student of another educational provider, into a course of study at the University, or, for a graduate or enrolled student of the University, into a course of study at another educational provider, with pre-determined advanced standing and/or with guaranteed entry.
3. Articulation Pathway Agreement - an agreement, between the University and another education provider that a student, who has successfully completed all, or a specified part, of a course in one of them and who gains admission to a related course offered by the other, will be granted specified advanced standing in the new course and/or be guaranteed enrolment in it.
4. Articulation Pathways Coordinator - one of the officers, as appropriate, identified in the "Procedures" section of this Policy, under the heading, "Proposing an articulation pathway or Articulation Pathway agreement".
5. Director, Engagement and International - the Director, Engagement and International, or Director, Engagement, or Director, International of the School, or their nominee, or another academic staff member of the School as nominated by the Dean.
6. Education providers, etc. - Australian universities and other Australian higher education providers (recognised as such by law), Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector providers and recognised overseas education providers, whose academic courses and units the University considers are of an equivalent quality to those delivered by the University.
7. Guaranteed entry - a guarantee of admission to a University course or to the course of another educational provider, referred to in the relevant Articulation Pathway Agreement, provided the student meets any other published requirements for admission current at the time of application, such as a required level of English proficiency.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(5) The University is committed to providing and expanding clear pathways to assist students, who have previously successfully completed some studies elsewhere and who otherwise qualify for admission, to enter an appropriate course of the University with the maximum amount of advanced standing warranted by their previous studies. The University is also committed, where practicable and by means of similar pathways, to assisting its own graduates and enrolled students, who wish to enrol in a course of another educational provider.

(6) The University will therefore enter into agreements with other selected education providers to define and publicise the advanced standing, together with any guarantee of entry to a course. The award of any advanced standing to a particular student entering the University will be subject to the provisions of the Advanced Standing Policy.

(7) Articulation arrangements shall conform with the University's strategic objectives and result in clear benefits to the University and its enrolled students and graduates.

(8) Consistent with the provisions of the Advanced Standing Policy, the University will endeavour to ensure that students granted advanced standing and/or guaranteed entry to a course of the University under this Policy, are academically equipped to undertake the relevant University course.

(9) In order to ensure that articulation pathways are publicly available to existing and intending students, the University will publish on its website the advanced standing determined under all articulation agreements.

(10) In order to assure the quality of the articulation pathways covered by agreements, the University will periodically monitor and evaluate their effectiveness and review their currency.

(11) The University will provide to students awarded advanced standing under this Policy towards a course of the University an appropriate schedule of study to be completed in the University.

Section 4 - Procedures

Matching Proposals with the University's Objectives

(12) When proposing or negotiating an articulation pathway or associated agreement with other education providers, staff of the University will ensure that the proposed agreement aligns with the University's objectives.

(13) Articulation agreements with other Australian education providers will generally be for a period of two years and will be reviewed during the second year to determine whether the arrangements remain current or require updating. Articulation agreements with education providers outside Australia will generally be for a period of three years and will be reviewed in the third year to determine whether the arrangements remain current or require updating.

Proposing an Articulation Pathway or Articulation Pathway Agreement

(14) Any person wishing to propose an articulation pathway or an articulation pathway agreement between the University and another education provider must first consult with one of the following Articulation Pathways Coordinators, as appropriate:

1. in the case of an intended pathway from, or to, another Australian education provider, the Deputy Dean of the relevant School of the University;
2. in the case of an intended pathway from, or to, an Australian VET sector education provider, the Manager, Tertiary Education Pathways and Partnerships, who will notify and consult with the Deputy Dean of the relevant School of the University; or
3. in the case of an intended pathway from, or to, a recognised overseas education provider, the Director, International, who will notify and consult with the Director, Engagement and International and Deputy Dean of the relevant School of the University.

(15) The Articulation Pathways Coordinator will then submit the proposal for approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic.

Determining Advanced Standing/Guaranteed Entry

(16) The advanced standing, if any, to be given to students and any guarantee of entry in an articulation pathway to a course of the University will be determined by the relevantAcademic Course Advisor or Director, Academic Program and by the relevant Deputy Dean in accordance with arrangements and standards approved by the Academic Senate, and in consultation with the relevant Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education). They will also advise in any negotiations of advanced standing or guaranteed entry to be awarded to graduates or enrolled students of the University in an articulation pathway into a course of another educational provider. In determining or providing advice about those matters, they will consult with the content specialist of the other education provider.

(17) Advanced standing in an articulation pathway will be determined in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Qualifications Pathways Policy, taking into account the comparability and equivalence of the learning outcomes; volume of learning; program of study, including content; and learning and assessment approaches.

(18) As specified in the AQF Qualifications Pathway Policy, credit agreements should use the following as the basis for negotiations. These will be the normal amounts of advanced standing for articulation to a University award, and any variations will have to be justified on academic grounds, including the integrity of qualification outcomes and discipline requirements, and the students' likely successful completion of the qualification.

1. 50% credit for an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree linked to a 3 year Bachelor Degree;
2. 37.5% credit for an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree linked to a 4 year Bachelor Degree;
3. 33% credit for a Diploma linked to a 3 year Bachelor Degree;
4. 25% credit for a Diploma linked to a 4 year Bachelor Degree.

Referral of a Formal Proposal for Approval

(19) Once the proposed advanced standing and any guarantee of entry for an articulation pathway have been endorsed by the relevant Dean or Deans, the proposers of a pathway, or a pathway agreement, will, in consultation with the relevant Articulation Pathways Coordinator, prepare a formal proposal, using a standard template.

(20) The formal proposal will be transmitted by the appropriate Articulation Pathways Coordinator to the relevant School Academic Committee. If the Committee supports the proposal, it will recommend it to the relevant Curriculum Quality Committee and then the Academic Planning and Courses Approvals Committee (APCAC).

(21) The final proposal and form of articulation pathway agreement including international agreements must be in a standard or other form approved by the University Secretary and General Counsel. Under the Delegations (Administrative) Policy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic has delegation to enter into an articulation agreement with another educational institution. It is the University's standard business practice that the final proposal must be forwarded to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic for final approval and signature.

After Approval

(22) The Executive Officer to APCAC will notify the Schools, other relevant officers, and Western Sydney International or the Manager, Tertiary Education Pathways and Partnerships, as appropriate, when the articulation agreement has been approved by Academic Senate. The Articulation Pathways Coordinator is responsible for notifying providers of the final approval and for recording the notification in TRIM.

(23) Final approved articulation agreements will be noted in the relevant course documentation in TRIM and recorded in accordance with the Records and Archives Management Policy.

(24) The appropriate Articulation Pathways Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that articulation arrangements are published on the website.

Reviewing and Re-Accrediting Pathways

(25) Before the term of an articulation pathway and any associated agreement has expired, or whenever the University's or other education provider's course changes significantly, the pathway and the agreement will be reviewed to ensure that the contents remain current and that the articulation agreement remains aligned with the University's strategic objectives and current standards as approved by Academic Senate. If the agreement does not require amendment, it is submitted for re-approval to the relevant Deputy Dean for renewal. Agreements with overseas providers also require the approval of the relevant Director, Engagement and International.

(26) If the relevant Deputy Dean decides that the agreement should be amended or re-negotiated, he or she will refer it to the appropriate Articulation Pathways Coordinator who will commence the re-negotiation process and refer any draft agreement for review by University Secretary and General Counsel.

(27) In cases where the University decides not to continue with an agreement it will advise the provider in writing that the agreement will not continue beyond the period of the existing agreement. In cases where the University has serious concerns about the quality of the provider's program it may place the provider on notice that the agreement will not continue for the full term and a report will be sent to the appropriate accrediting authority.

Establishing Pathways with Australian VET Sector Providers

(28) All prospective articulation pathway initiatives must be discussed with the appropriate Articulation Pathways Coordinator in the first instance. For VET sector pathways this is the Manager, Tertiary Education Pathways and Partnerships (referred to as 'TEPP Manager ' in these Guidelines).

(29) Where a private VET provider seeks a partnership with the University for the purpose of establishing an articulation pathway, the provider will be required to complete a 'Request for Partnership' application Part A and meet the eligibility criteria stated therein.

(30) Private VET providers will also need to complete a Part B of the application for each VET course for which a pathway is being sought.

(31) The TEPP Manager will make contact with key stakeholders from the VET provider and the University to discuss the general pathway opportunity and to confirm mutual interest and feasibility.

(32) The TEPP Manager will arrange a panel of university stakeholders to assess private VET provider applications for partnership twice per calendar year including content specialists from the University and the VET provider. Where possible, negotiations and credit assessment to determine the advanced standing to be given are finalised at this meeting. Credit assessment which affects more than one School will need careful consideration and appropriate consultation.

(33) The TEPP Manager manages the credit assessment process to ensure consistency and equity across Articulation Pathways Agreements and will invite key stakeholders and content specialists from VET and the University to participate in negotiations for determining advanced standing to be awarded. This process will be consistent with the provisions in Section 4 for determining advanced standing/guaranteed entry, and in accordance with the AQF.

(34) Academic staff and the VET provider negotiate the advanced standing to be given under the terms of the agreement and determine any other conditions. The information will be incorporated into an electronic proposal by the TEPP Manager and circulated to stakeholders for comment. Key stakeholders include the relevant Academic Course Advisor or Director, Academic Program, Dean, Deputy Dean, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) and the VET provider contact.

(35) The TEPP Manager will arrange for endorsement or approval, as appropriate, by the relevant School Academic Committee, the Curriculum Quality Committee and Academic Planning and Courses Approvals Committee (APCAC) and Academic Senate.

(36) If APCAC endorses the proposal it will be forwarded to Academic Senate for final academic approval.

(37) The TEPP Manager will advise all stakeholders that an agreement has been approved. The TEPP Manager will prepare and send a formal communication as required by the local provider. The TEPP Manager will prepare information for the website.

(38) The TEPP Manager will update all necessary data sites such as the Callista Pathways and e-forms database and will liaise with key managers in Student Administration in the Student Experience Office to ensure that the new Pathway is understood and included in appropriate automated processes.

(39) The TEPP Manager will arrange for information to be published on the University Pathways website and will advise stakeholders that the information has been published.

Establishing Pathways with Overseas Providers

(40) All prospective articulation pathway initiatives with overseas providers must be discussed with the Director, International or nominee in the first instance.

(41) The Director, Engagement and International of the relevant School will ensure that a standard template is completed (containing information listed in the Western Sydney International checklist), in consultation with the appropriate Western Sydney International staff member.

(42) The draft agreement must be submitted for endorsement by the Director, International.

(43) The Director, Engagement and International manages the credit assessment process in consultation with Western Sydney International who provides advice to ensure consistency and equity across Articulation Agreements. Credit assessment which affects more than one School will need careful consideration and appropriate consultation.

(44) Once the assessment is complete the formal proposal is transmitted by Western Sydney International to the relevant School Academic Committee and Curriculum Quality Committee.

(45) Following endorsement by the School and Curriculum Quality Committee, the Director, Engagement and International or Western Sydney International forwards the proposal to the Executive Officer to the Academic Planning and Courses Approvals Committee (APCAC) for inclusion in the agenda for the following meeting.

(46) If APCAC endorses the proposal it is forwarded to Academic Senate for final academic approval. If amendments are required the proposal is amended accordingly and re-submitted to a subsequent APCAC meeting.

(47) Western Sydney International advises all stakeholders of the approved agreement. Western Sydney International prepares a formal agreement for approval by the Office of General Counsel and sends a formal communication as required by the overseas provider. Western Sydney International files the final approved articulation agreement in TRIM and prepares information for the website entry.

(48) Western Sydney International arranges for information to be published on the Western Sydney International website and advises stakeholders that information has been published.

(49) Western Sydney International is responsible for ensuring that students given guaranteed entry to, and advanced standing in, a course of the University are aware of the English language requirements of the particular course.

(50) Western Sydney International is responsible for ensuring that students entering the University by an articulation pathway accept, in writing, the advanced standing granted, as mandated in the ESOS requirements.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(51) Nil