Credit Transfer Process (Recognition of Prior Learning Policy)

Revised – June 2013

 

 

 

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Credit Transfer Process (Recognition of Prior Learning) Policy

1. Purpose

1.1 This policy establishes the grounds on which credit would be considered for transfer and the process for doing so. Recognition of Prior Learning refers to:

• Formal study undertaken in recognised institutions in New Zealand, including universities, colleges, polytechnics and other post-secondary education institutions;

• Formal study undertaken in overseas institutions will be recognised to the extent to which they are considered to be equivalent to particular types of New Zealand institutions;

• Formal study undertaken within UCIC, in cases where a student chooses to articulate into another programme at UCIC.

And may extend, under certain conditions, to:

• Programmes provided by recognised professional bodies, employers and other authorities, where appropriate certification is available; and

• Demonstrable expertise and relevant experience.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to prospective and current students of UCIC.

3. Definitions

Term or Acronym Definition

Appeals Committee The committee which determines appeals from students. This is the final avenue of appeal available to students at UCIC.

Applicant Prospective student applying for a place at UCIC.

Course The term course is used to mean a single subject. See Programme.

Credit

A unit of measurement that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course.

 

 

 

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Credit transfer The granting of credit as recognition for prior learning.

Programme The term programme is used to mean a study programme consisting of several (usually four or five) courses (per trimester, full time). See Course.

Student

UCIC only enrols international students. Therefore, for the purpose of this policy a student is assumed as an international student who is not a New Zealand or Australian citizen or holder of a permanent residency visa.

Trimester A defined and formal period of study within a programme. UCIC runs three formal study periods annually.

4. Policy Statement

4.1 UCIC will maintain the integrity of its programmes and protect the academic standards and reputation of its programmes. Credit for prior learning will be granted only within the constraints of this principle.

4.2 The aim of the recognition of prior learning is to:

• Assist students to progress through award programmes with maximum efficiency by recognising that students may attain the objectives of components of a programme by means other than assessment in the programme and formal study; and

• Facilitate the movement of students between institutions and between programmes of various types and levels; and

• Assist in the efficient use of educational resources.

4.3 Admission to UCIC is based on Academic and English language entry requirements as published in UCIC’s prospectus and UCIC’s website. Also see Entry Requirements Policy. Applicants will only be granted credit towards the award programme at UCIC once they have gained admission to the relevant programme of study. Applicants may also seek specific advice from UCIC prior to admission in relation to possible credit transfer.

5. Type of Credit

5.1 Internal – credit awarded on articulation between UCIC programmes

UCIC awards credit for certain courses which are common to more than one UCIC programme, when a student moves from one programme to another.

5.2 External – credit awarded on articulation into a UCIC programme

 

 

 

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Applicants, or students of UCIC, may be awarded specified credit towards programmes where the credit granted relates to the specific courses or components in a programme, exempting students from those courses or components, and awarding the appropriate credit points in their place. Specified credit may be given where applicants have met the objectives, attained the knowledge or developed the skills required by a particular course or course components.

5.3 External – credit awarded on articulation out of a UCIC programme

UCIC works in partnership with the University of Canterbury. When students successfully complete their UCIC programme, they are generally offered entrance into the second year of the relevant University of Canterbury degree programme. All approvals of specified credit at UCIC will also be approved by the University of Canterbury so that this specified credit will also be awarded towards the University of Canterbury programme upon articulation. Some exceptions apply here, so individual cases should be discussed with UCIC staff.

6. Amount of Credit

6.1 Applicants, or students of UCIC, may be awarded credit for a maximum of half (50%) of the courses to be undertaken within a programme of study offered at UCIC.

6.2 This limit for credit does not apply to applicants undertaking formalised reverse articulation arrangements from the University of Canterbury.

7. Application for Credit

7.1 UCIC strongly encourages students to apply for credit at least one month prior to the commencement of their studies. After students arrive at UCIC, before they enrol they will be required to attend an interview with either the Academic Advisor or Programme Coordinator to obtain advice on their progression.

7.2 Applications for credit will not be considered where a course of previous study for which the credit is sought was awarded a low pass grade or equivalent.

7.3 Students applying for credit towards the University Transfer Programme must meet with either the Academic Advisor or Programme Coordinator when they submit their applications. All applications must be submitted in the students first trimester of study by the dates indicated below using the Credit Transfer Application Form by the:

• End of week 1 for first trimester courses;

• End of week 8 for second trimester courses.

7.4 The Credit Transfer Application Form must be accompanied by a certified official academic record (e.g. Academic Transcript, Statement of Attainment, or Statement of Results) except in the case of previous study at UCIC or the University of Canterbury, and must include detailed course outlines or other documentation

 

 

 

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giving sufficient details, including content, assessment schedule and duration, of the studies completed to enable assessment of the application.

7.5 Where credit is being sought for prior learning on the basis of programmes completed with recognised professional bodies, employers and other authorities, or for demonstrable expertise and relevant experience, appropriate certified samples of work must be submitted. Supporting documentation may include references, samples of work, project briefs, reports, publications, employment history and employment position descriptions.

7.6 Credit Transfer Application Forms will be sent to the University of Canterbury for assessment.

8. Approval of Credit

8.1 In order to obtain recognition of prior learning applicants must have gained knowledge and skills which help them to meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the qualification for which they are seeking credit.

8.2 It should be noted that credit may not be awarded for passing grades where the marks obtained are below 50 percent. For example, where a Pass Conceded (PC) grade has been awarded for the course.

8.3 UCIC will notify students in writing of the outcome of their credit application where possible prior to commencement of the trimester.

8.3.1 Internal – UCIC

The UCIC Academic Coordinator responsible for the relevant programme will be responsible for determining the credit to be granted, in response to applications for credit from students enrolled in any UCIC programme.

8.3.2 External

The University of Canterbury Admissions Office will be responsible for determining the credit to be granted, within the provisions of the University's policy, in response to applications for credit from students enrolled in the University Transfer Programme at UCIC. The University of Canterbury Admissions Office may seek the advice of the University of Canterbury Programme Convenor or Head of School for the purpose of advising on credit.

9. Appeals

9.1 External

9.1.1 Applicants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of a credit application may request a review of the decision. Such a review request must be accompanied by a full statement concerning the basis for the review.

9.1.2 A request for a review of a credit decision is lodged with the University of Canterbury Admissions Office who will review the initial decision in terms of the University's credit policy. Where the basis of the review request relates to the academic judgment of the equivalence of prior study or experience to a

 

 

 

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programme or course, the Admissions Office will refer the credit review request, together with supporting information and advice, to the Programme Convenor who makes a recommendation to the Dean.

9.1.3 A student who is dissatisfied with the outcome of a review of a credit decision may appeal to the University of Canterbury’s Appeals Committee under the provisions of the University's policies on student grievances and appeals.

10. Related Forms

Credit Transfer Application Form

Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form

 

 

 

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Policy  Title     Credit  Transfer  Process  and  Recognition  of  Prior  Learning  Policy  

Policy  Owners   Admissions  and  Selections  Committee  

Contact  Persons   Director  of  Marketing  and  Admissions    

Key  Stakeholders     UCIC  Staff,  UCIC  future  and  current  students,  University  of  Canterbury  

Approval  Body   Admissions  and  Selections  Committee   Agenda  item  and  

meeting  date  approved  

[Agenda  item  and  meeting  date  approved]  

Relevant  Legislation     The  Code  of  Practice  for  the  Pastoral  Care  of  International  Students  -­‐  Tertiary  (revised  2010),  and  the  Private  Training  Establishment  Registration  Rules  2013  under  section  253  of  the  Education  Act  1989  

Related  Policies    Entry Requirements Policy

Student Grievance Policy

Related  Guidelines   N/A  

File  information  

 

File  number  

N/A  

Version  number  

V1.0  -­‐  24/06/2013  

Date  Effective  

 

[Date  Effective]  

 

Next  Review  Date  

29/06/2014  

Version  1.0  Approved  By:    

 

  CEO,  University  Programs  Division