Your previous work and study counts!
People learn in different ways throughout life.
Universities recognise that learning can happen through formal education, in the workplace, or during lived experience in everyday lives. When you’re getting started at uni, keep in mind that you might already have skills and knowledge that you don’t need to cover again.
Your wealth of knowledge might attract recognition of prior learning or credit:
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
If you’ve gained work and life knowledge that’s relevant to your course, you may be eligible for RPL.
Credit
If you've completed studies that are the same as subjects in your course, you might be eligible for credit.
The top 6 benefits of RPL and credit:
Save time by skipping what you already know
Focus on learning new skills and knowledge
Kick-start your new career much sooner
Reduce your study load and balance your life
Legitimise your learning outside of uni
Get qualified without completing an entire course
Ready to get going with RPL and credit?
Current students can visit the Student Hub for RPL and credit university contacts and more information.
Answers to your questions about RPL and credit
Is RPL and credit automatic?
No. There’s an assessment process to work through. Your uni will ask questions about your skills and knowledge. And you’ll need to supply documentation to support your answers.
How do I apply for RPL or credit?
You need to contact your university and follow their application process.
We have a list of university RPL and credit contacts in the Student Hub.
Can OUA help me apply for RPL or credit?
While our student advisors can’t help you with your actual application—you need to apply directly with your university—we’re here to guide you there:
- Point you in the right direction for uni application forms, policies, and contacts.
- Explain RPL and credit requirements for many of the courses on our website.
- Check your Open Universities Australia student record to make sure we’ve got the result of your application.
Is there a cost for applying for RPL or credit?
Sometimes, yes. It takes extra work for universities to match what you already know against the learning outcomes of your course. Because of that, they might charge an application fee. You might also still have to pay the tuition fees for the course.
Is there a limit on how much RPL and credit I can apply for?
Yes. Most universities have a cap on the number of subjects you can include in your application. Contact your university for their rules. We have a list of university RPL and credit contacts in the Student Hub.
Does my past study or prior experience have an expiry date?
Yes. Most universities will consider your last 10 years of study and experience. Anything older than that is usually considered out-of-date because course material and skills will have changed significantly since then.
Note that the expiry date can be even shorter if you’re applying for credit for a past professional accreditation—especially if it’s expired. Contact your university for their rules. We have a list of university RPL and credit contacts in the Student Hub.
Can I get on-campus credit for online study?
Probably, yes. If you’ve completed online subjects through Open Universities Australia, it’s most likely that your on-campus university will acknowledge them with credit. That’s because we offer nationally accredited courses from leading Australian universities.
Contact your university to find out about their credit transfer process. We have a list of university RPL and credit contacts in the Student Hub. They’ll need documentation, so for starters, download a copy of your record of results from your Student Hub.
Advice and insights to get you started
What is RPL? Recognition of prior learning explained
Discover how previous work or study experience can count towards your university degree, helping you graduate sooner.
University entry requirements explained
Learn more about how admission criteria works when you're applying for university—and what to do if you don’t meet the requirements.
Uni key dates and census dates explained
Worried about missing the all-important uni census date? Ensure you know when you can withdraw this year with these facts.
The OUA open-door policy explained
Studying through Open Universities Australia is for everyone. We have an open-door policy for most undergraduate subjects, meaning there are no entry barriers to uni.
We're here to guide you there
Our student advisors can assist you with enrolment, help you plan your studies, and answer questions about how studying through Open Universities Australia can get you from where you are today, to where you want to be tomorrow.
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How a student advisor can guide you
No matter your end goal, a student advisor’s assistance can go a long way. They’ll help you every step of the way—from exploring the endless possibilities of study, to narrowing down your own unique path and arriving at your career destination.
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If you're looking for an answer to a general question about studying through OUA, try our General FAQ.