• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Principles
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Establishing a non-award course for credit purposes
• Using a pre-existing non-award course for credit purposes
• Maintenance of records
• Section 5 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 6 - Legislation
• Section 7 - Supporting Information
• Section 8 -  Procedures
• Section 9 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy provides principles and processes for establishing and recognising non-award courses as the basis for specified credit in a University of Canberra (University) unit.

(2) Arrangements developed under this Policy will contribute to the achievement of the University’s strategic objectives, for example, by helping professionals upgrade skills or by encouraging collaboration with a strategic partner.

Section 2 - Scope

(3) This Policy applies when a faculty wishes to:

1. establish a non-award short course for which specified credit can then be granted in a unit; or
2. arrange for an existing non-award course to be recognised as the basis for specified credit in a unit.

(4) In either of these cases, the faculty may collaborate with another organisation.

(5) If the non-award studies are offered by an organisation other than the University, this Policy only applies where the University has determined equivalence between the learning outcomes of the non-award studies, and those of the unit/s for which specified credit is sought.

(6) This Policy relates to formal arrangements where students who have successfully completed the required non-award studies will be granted credit towards the relevant unit in the University award course(s) specified in the arrangement.

(7) Individual applicants may be able to apply for recognition of non-formal learning through Recognition of Prior Learning as set out under the Credit Policy.

Section 3 - Principles

(8) Proposals for provisions for credit based on non-award studies need to take into consideration the requirement that applicants must also meet the admission requirements of the course of which the award unit is or will be a part.

(9) The development of non-award studies for credit will be for the purpose of pre-defined credit in one or more units.

(10) Credit for non-award studies will normally be specific credit in a specific unit (that is, specified credit). If block credit (that is, unspecified credit) is sought, a case must be made to Academic Board through the course approval process.

(11) Learning acquired in the non-award studies must be equivalent to the learning outcomes of the award unit. To ensure this, the following quality assurance measures will apply:

1. The non-award studies must include assessment to enable students to demonstrate mastery of the learning described in the learning outcomes of the award unit. Any student wishing to be granted credit in a University unit must undertake the required assessment.
2. The Unit Convener will determine and document the following in relation to the non-award studies and the unit for which it is proposed that credit be granted:
   1. the amount of congruent content
   2. level of content, and
   3. assessment against the learning outcomes – as set out in the Determination of Unit Particulars of the University unit(s).
3. Credit can only be granted in an award unit on the basis of non-award studies if the learning outcomes of the non-award studies are equivalent to those of a whole unit. Credit may not be granted for part of a unit (for example, credit may not be granted for one or two credit points in a three credit point unit).
4. For example, if the learning outcomes of a series of three short courses are equivalent to those of a three credit point unit, then a student may receive credit in the unit only if the student has successfully completed the series of three short courses. On the other hand, if the learning outcomes of a single short course are equivalent to those of a three credit point unit, then the student may receive credit in that unit.

(12) The amount of credit granted to a student on the basis of non-award studies in conjunction with any other credit must comply with the limits for credit set out in the Credit Policy.

(13) The level of fees for non-award studies developed within the University will be in line with the requirements of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.

(14) The non-award studies for credit must be approved for that purpose before being advertised as having that purpose.

Section 4 - Procedures

Establishing a non-award course for credit purposes

(15) The Unit Convener of the unit in which credit is sought develops the proposal in conjunction with the relevant Course Convener(s) of the course(s) in which the unit is or will be a part and any other relevant stakeholders (see format in Application form for approval of non-award studies proposed for credit in a University award unit). The proposal must adhere to the principles outlined in this Policy.

(16) The Unit Convener obtains the approval of the Dean for the proposal.

(17) The proposal is forwarded to Student Connect for checking compliance with the Policy and submitted to the University Education Committee for approval.

(18) The approved proposal is submitted to Academic Board for noting.

(19) Once Academic Board has noted the proposal, the Secretary of Academic Board forwards advice of the approval to:

1. Secretary, University Education Committee
2. Course Manager, Academic Policy and Review
3. Unit Convener
4. Student Connect
5. Marketing and International

Using a pre-existing non-award course for credit purposes

(20) The Unit Convener in which credit is sought, in consultation with the relevant Course Convener(s) of the course(s) in which the unit is or will be a part, liaises with the University convener or external provider, as applicable, of the pre-existing non-award course and develops the proposal (see format in Application form for approval of non-award studies proposed for credit in a University award unit). The proposal must adhere to the principles in this Policy.

(21) The Unit Convener obtains the Dean's approval for the proposal.

(22) The proposal is forwarded to Student Connect for checking compliance with the Policy and submitted to the University Education Committee for approval.

(23) The approved proposal is submitted to Academic Board for noting.

(24) Once Academic Board has noted the proposal, the Secretary of Academic Board forwards advice of the approval to:

1. Secretary, University Education Committee
2. Unit Convener
3. Course Manager, Academic Policy and Review
4. Student Connect
5. Marketing and International

Maintenance of records

(25) Student Connect maintains records of all instances of non-award studies which the University Education Committee has approved and Academic Board has noted as the basis for credit in an award unit.

Section 5 - Roles and Responsibilities

Section 6 - Legislation

(26) This Policy is governed by the Granting of Status Statute 1995 and the Granting of Status Rules 1995. The University of Canberra Admission Statute 1995 and the University of Canberra (Admission) Rules 2022 are also relevant.

Section 7 - Supporting Information

(27) This Policy was developed, at the request of Academic Board, to enable pre-defined credit based on non-award courses to be granted towards specified award units at the University. The Policy was revised in 2011 to reflect changes in responsibilities and administrative processes at the University.

Section 8 -  Procedures

(28) Refer to the Credit Procedures.

Section 9 - Definitions