Credit for previous study
If you have already completed some study units at a different tertiary institution, you may be eligible to gain credit towards a course through OUA.
Students who are enrolled in a unit and are subsequently exempted from it because of previous study are ineligible to receive a refund. Similarly, students who enrol in an OUA unit without relevant credit confirmed in writing from their faculty advisor are also ineligible to receive a refund.
To request credit you must apply to the provider that offers the qualification you want to enrol in. Refer to the Courses and Units page for more information.
If you are planning to undertake an OUA TAFE course and believe you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL), contact the relevant course coordinator. RPL evaluates the skills and competencies you have gained through education, work and life experience.
Can I get credit on-campus for Open Universities Australia study
On-campus students wanting to use OUA units towards an on-campus degree will need written approval from their home university. You don't need to send a copy of the approval to OUA, but do get it before finalising your enrolment as we don't give refunds after Census Date should you not receive credit from your home university.
Off-campus students wishing to transfer to an on-campus place from studying through OUA must apply through their state Tertiary Admissions Centre or through any other admission arrangement that the university advises.
While we can make no guarantees, if you have successfully completed study through OUA then your chances of receiving an on-campus offer from a university are greatly improved. We will provide a copy of your OUA academic transcript to the Tertiary Admissions Centre upon their request. You can also download a copy of your Record of Results from My OUA.
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for TAFE courses
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are processes that assess evidence of a student's achievement of competencies or learning outcomes. They are processes that allow students to have their previous learning - both formal and informal - count towards an award or qualification.
Credit transfer applies to relevant, successfully completed formal studies - achieved at TAFE colleges, accredited private providers, professional organisations or enterprises and universities.
Recognition of prior learning acknowledges skills and knowledge gained outside the formal university or TAFE systems. It can cover skills and knowledge gained through paid or volunteer work, informal or employer-based training or other non-accredited training.
For TAFE students, national recognition means they automatically receive credit at any other registered training organisation in Australia for TAFE units they have completed through OUA.
