Credit Processes
1. The university will determine credit for previous types of learning (formal, informal and non-formal learning) where this is assessed as equivalent to Monash University study, or assessed as equivalent to the pre-requisite qualification for admission to a course, subject to the conditions and limits stated below.
2. Credit for previous learning may be obtained through the processes of articulation, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning or a combination of these processes.
3. Applications for credit may be made to the managing faculty. The managing faculty will arrange for credit assessment by the degree awarding faculty. (Where the degree awarding faculty is not the teaching faculty, the degree awarding faculty will obtain the credit assessment from the teaching faculty.) The managing faculty will then determine the credit granted for the course in consultation with the degree awarding faculty*.
*Note: The “managing faculty” and “degree awarding faculty” and “teaching faculty” will often be the same faculty. For a double degree, there are two degree awarding faculties. One of these will be nominated as “managing faculty” and be responsible for administering the course of study.
4. Eligibility for credit towards a course does not guarantee admission to that course.
Forms of credit
5. Credit outcomes are expressed as block credit, specified credit or unspecified credit, as appropriate.
5.1 Block credit is credit granted towards whole stages or components of a qualification. Block credit is normally considered to fulfil any progression requirements for a stage of a course.
5.2 Specified credit is credit granted towards core and/or specific components in a qualification. At Monash, credit is given for a specific Monash unit, as identified by its unit code. When making credit decisions, Monash will seek to allocate specified credit where possible.
5.3 An exemption is a type of specified credit where the student is waived the requirement to complete a core unit but is required to complete another unit of the same credit point value.
5.4 Unspecified credit is credit granted towards components in a qualification where the Monash unit is not specified. Only the credit point value and level of the unit are identified.
Credit Assessments
6. Credit is assessed on the basis of equivalence of content and learning outcomes between the previous learning and a Monash unit, subject to the limits on credit. In granting credit, the degree awarding faculty will ensure that all the requirements of the course are fulfilled and that other relevant matters, such as professional accreditation requirements are taken into account.
7. Equivalence of content and learning outcomes is measured by:
7.1 In the case of previous formal learning, the volume, depth and breadth of content and assessment requirements between the previous successfully completed component of study and the Monash unit and/or agreed relativities between a previously completed qualification and a Monash qualification.
7.2 In the case of previous informal and non-formal learning, an evidence-based assessment made by the teaching faculty (which will determine a variety of methods for the purpose) between the previous learning and the Monash unit.
8. A near pass grade or terminating pass at another institution (or where previously awarded by Monash) will not be considered successful completion.
9. For credit to be granted, the previous learning must be equivalent to at least 80% of the content, learning outcomes and weighting of the Monash unit.
10. Partial credit for Monash units will not be granted.
11. Credit granted by another provider is not transferable to Monash, therefore a new credit application must be made.
12. Credit will not be granted towards the research component of an honours degree or any graduate qualification.
13. To be eligible for credit, previous learning must have been completed within ten years prior to the year of application for credit.
14. The faculty board of the degree awarding faculty may set different recency requirements on previous learning where appropriate, including no time limit, depending on the state of change in discipline knowledge and practices.
15. Exceptions to the recency requirement for an individual applicant may be made with the approval of the dean or dean’s nominee.
Credit Limits
See University Regulation “Credit towards a Degree or Award Regulations”
16. There are limits on the maximum credit which will be granted in a Monash course of study.
16.1 Where a Monash course is 96 credit points or less, a student must complete at least half of these credit points at Monash.
16.2 Where a Monash course is greater than 96 credit points, a student must complete a minimum of 48 of these credit points at Monash.
17. The following table sets out the maximum credit which will be granted for Monash courses of study.
Monash Courses
| Length of Course(FTE) |
Credit points |
Maximum Credit Granted |
| 1 Semester |
24 credit points |
12 credit points |
| 1 year |
48 credit points |
24 credit points |
| 1.5 year |
72 credit points |
36 credit points |
| 2 year |
96 credit points |
48 credit points |
| 3 year |
144 credit points |
96 credit points |
| 4 year |
192 credit points |
144 credit points |
18. Where Monash offers a course of study in a collaborative arrangement with other institutions (ie, joint awards, double degrees, dual awards) at least half of the credit points of the course of study must be completed at Monash University.
18.1 Limits on maximum credit for these courses of study may be waived with the approval of Academic Board.
19. Faculties may nominate units or components of the degree structure (such as core or capstone units) for which credit will not be given.
20. The degree awarding faculty may specify where credit may be allocated within the course.
21. The faculty board may reduce the allowable maximum credit where this is necessary to fulfil professional accreditation requirements.
22. Limits on maximum credit may be waived at the discretion of the managing faculty dean or dean's nominee where a student is being transferred from one Monash course to another closely related course.
23. Limits on maximum credit do not apply to Monash nested programs.
