Advanced Standing
After you receive a course offer you can apply to transfer any recognised prior learning credits by applying for Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).
Advanced standing is acknowledgement of prior study granted towards your current degree, based on prior study or work experience. If advanced standing is awarded the length of your degree may be reduced. There are two types of advanced standing you can be awarded – general advanced standing or exempt advanced standing.
*If you are experiencing issues with the advanced standing portal, please follow the troubleshooting steps here
General advanced standing, grants credit in relation to an unspecified discipline area, subject or group of subjects. You'll need to complete fewer subjects to satisfy the requirements of the course, and it doesn't prevent you from selecting subjects of your choice.
If you qualify, you'll be granted study credits towards your course, reducing the number of subjects you'll need to study to satisfy course requirements. It will also appear on your transcript as 'Advanced Standing'.
Exempt advanced standing grants credit in relation to successfully completing a subject, subjects, or studies, equivalent to the subject being waived. It can be awarded:
- With credit: granting an exempt credit for successfully completing a subject or group of subjects equivalent to a subject in your course. 'Exempt' will appear on your transcript and will reduce the number of course subjects you need to complete.
- Without credit: granting exemption for subjects you've completed already, such as a core subject. It doesn't reduce the number of subjects in your course load, but grants you the opportunity to choose another subject in its place.
Credit may be granted if any of the previous studies are comparable in content, equivalent in standard and suitable to be included as part of the course. Faculties specify the maximum credit allowable and publish guidelines.
Calculate your credit
To help you plan your studies, you can use our credit tool to calculate how much credit you may be eligible to receive when you apply for advanced standing. Credit decisions are subject to the University’s Advanced Standing and Accelerated Entry Policy.
How to apply for advanced standing
If you have received an undergraduate course offer you can start the application process following the steps outlined below (please note: the University does not assess advanced standing applications until an offer has been made). If you are applying for a graduate course, your advanced standing application will be assessed at the same time as your course application.
Once you have received a course offer, you can go to Get Started at Melbourne and create your student account.
Ensure you have all your documentation ready when you apply. You will need to provide an official and complete syllabus or subject description for each subject from your previous place of study, and a copy of your academic transcript.
Ensure you have all your documentation ready when you apply. You will need to provide an official and complete syllabus or subject description for each subject from your previous place of study, and a copy of your academic transcript.
Take some time to read through the course handbook and the course planning resource page for your degree and intended major to see how credit could potentially fit in to your study plan.
Please note that there are limits to how much advanced standing you can be awarded and policies around how credit is granted. Refer to the Advanced Standing policy for further details.
You can find out what advanced standing you may be eligible to receive using our credit database.
Apply online here. You'll need your University of Melbourne student username and password.
If you are applying for exempt advanced standing (credit for a subject that is deemed substantially equivalent to the one you have completed) you will need to note the University of Melbourne subject name and number in your advanced standing application.
If you cannot find a subject match, you may still be able to apply for general advanced standing provided it fits within the course rules. General advanced standing is credit granted in relation to an unspecified discipline area, subject, or group of subjects.
In your application you will need to provide an official and complete syllabus or subject descriptions from your previous place of study, and a copy of your academic transcript. Provide as much detail as possible so you can be assessed for the maximum amount of credit.
Please be mindful that as you can only submit one application, please ensure you provide all information, academic transcripts and documentation you would like to be assessed in your application.
You are encouraged to submit your application as soon as you receive your offer of admission. If you submit your application by the timely closing date, you should receive notification of an outcome by the start of semester. Ensure you check your new University of Melbourne student email account for any correspondence from our Admissions team.
If you receive advanced standing in your offer letter but it doesn't appear on you study plan, submit an enquiry. Select ‘credit for prior study’ and attach your offer letter. We will then update your study plan.
Late applications
Late applications may be accepted up until the end of the first week of semester and we aim to provide an outcome by the end of the second week of semester.
Applications received after this will be actioned, but it is possible that credit received may not be applied in the current semester.
You must apply for advanced standing on entry or in your first year of study.
An email will be sent to your new University of Melbourne email account with the outcome of your advanced standing application. If you need help planning your course with credit you can book an appointment with a Course Planning Advisor or submit an online enquiry.If you wish to appeal your outcome you will need to submit an enquiry. Please note that you must provide new information that has not already been considered and any relevant supporting documentation to be reassessed.
If you need to rescind or decline part or all of the credit you have received, you can submit an enquiry, and select the "Enrolment" category. Enter "Rescind credit" in the Subject field and the subject name/s and number/s that you wish to rescind in "Enquiry description".
FAQs
How do I know if I’m eligible for advanced standing if I transfer undergraduate degrees at the University of Melbourne?
Students may be granted a Credited Exemption or a Non-Credit Exemption for their Discovery Subject, depending on their prior study. As these are all assessed on a case-by-case basis, please submit your advanced standing application to confirm your eligibility.
When should I follow up to see that further advanced standing will be loaded?
The standard processing time for advanced standing applications is 5 business days. If you have not received your official advanced standing outcome or had any email updates regarding your application after this time, please submit an enquiry.
Students can only submit one advanced standing application per course. If you would like to apply for any additional advanced standing, please submit an online enquiry listing all the subjects you wish to be assessed for. If you are applying for credit for studies not completed at the University of Melbourne, please attach an official and complete syllabus or subject descriptions from your previous place of study as well as a copy of your academic transcript.