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.

This policy applies to all ACU undergraduate and postgraduate award courses and should be read in conjunction with the Academic Regulations.

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 other officially accredited qualification 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 know and/or be able to do as a result of being involved in a learning process. The learning should indicate a conceptual as well as a practical grasp 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.

4.1 ACU supports an approach which values all learning through an open and transparent approach to the assessment of that learning. It acknowledges that learning may be achieved through formal, non-formal or informal pathways, and that provision should exist for recognition of these. Accordingly, this policy provides for:

1. opportunities for formal, non-formal and informal learning to be recognised for purposes of entry to a course or obtaining credit towards an undergraduate or postgraduate award;
2. recognition of diverse and inclusive pathways to lifelong learning;
3. assuring the quality, integrity and standing of ACU qualifications.

This policy will be applied subject to the Academic Regulations.

6.1 RPL may be used for the purpose of:

6.2 The authority for approving recognition of prior learning for coursework students are subject to the Delegations of Authority Policy and Register.  Faculties will appoint member(s) of academic staff, such as a Course Coordinator to be the RPL Advisor(s) to provide applicants with advice on RPL processes and the formulation of their application and the assessment and approval of applications for credit, consistent with the Procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning.

6.3 Principles for assessing applications for RPL

6.3.1 Assessing for RPL will:

6.3.2 The processes for assessing RPL are designed to:

6.4 The criteria employed when assessing prior non-formal or informal learning will ensure that:

1. consistent standards are maintained within courses across ACU; and
2. discipline requirements are maintained, including the requirements of accreditation/registration bodies.

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 If credit is granted on the basis of RPL, it may take the form of specified credit, block credit or unspecified credit, in accordance with the Academic Regulations.

8.1.1 Specified Credit:

8.1.2 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; and
3. must be granted against a combination of specified and unspecified (elective) units of programs.

8.1.3 Unspecified Credit:

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

8.2 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.

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

8.4 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.

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.