(1) To establish the rules for admission of students to programs, and for the granting of credit for prior learning. (2) All programs and courses offered by RMIT University. The admission sections of the policy also apply to English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) training programs provided by RMIT Training, and to non-award courses offered by RMIT University, to which students are admitted via RMIT Training. (3) The credit sections of the policy do not apply to RMIT Training programs. (4) The University sets minimum age requirements, minimum academic entry requirements, and minimum English language entry requirements designed for students to have the academic preparation and proficiency in English required to complete their program. The University assesses students’ English skills throughout their studies and provides support. (5) University minimum entry requirements are approved as follows: (6) International Recruitment determines the equivalence of overseas qualifications to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications that satisfy university entry requirements for coursework programs. International Recruitment maintains a list of these qualifications. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education approves changes to this list. (7) The School of Graduate Research determines the equivalence of overseas qualifications to the AQF qualifications that satisfy university entry requirements for higher degree by research programs. (8) The University maintains equitable access schemes to facilitate access to tertiary education by under-represented groups. (9) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education may approve a higher English language entry requirement than the university minimum for a coursework program. (10) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation may approve a higher English language entry requirement than the university minimum for a higher degree by research program. (11) International Recruitment maintains an online list of qualifications that satisfy the minimum university English language entry requirements. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education approves changes to this list. (12) Admission standards comprise: (13) Program entry requirements may include: (14) Program entry requirements apply at all locations where the program is offered. (15) An applicant who satisfies admission standards is eligible for selection, but this is no guarantee that the applicant will be selected. (16) For rules regarding approval of program entry requirements, see the program and course processes. (17) Each program must have a documented selection methodology for each location and for each fund source. (18) Where selection of applicants for a program is competitive, the selection methodology must include ranking methodology. (19) A summary of the program selection methodology must be published to applicants. (20) The following officers are accountable for the selection of applicants and may delegate responsibility for selection to selection officers or to a central admission team: (21) Applicants must not be pooled (held for competitive selection at a later time) unless this has been approved by: (22) All information for applicants must accurately reflect the approved program entry requirements. For award programs, the authoritative source of these requirements is the program guide. (23) Internal applicants must satisfy the same entry requirements as external applicants for the program. (24) Selection officers may give preference to an internal applicant where the selection methodology provides for this: for details, see the admission and credit process manual for the relevant RMIT institution. (25) RMIT Foundation Studies students are guaranteed entry into an RMIT program if they achieve the scores required for admission as published at the time of their enrolment in the Foundation Studies program. Education Innovation and Quality Committee approves these scores for publication. (26) Selection outcomes may only be decided by: (27) Offers can be conditional on the applicant providing proof that they have met entry requirements or on other conditions detailed in the offer. (28) The University may place a time limit on an offer or conditional offer of admission, after which the offer will lapse. (29) Once a student has been offered a place, it will be honoured if the entry requirements change between the offer and the date that the student commences in the program. (30) The University may refuse admission to applicants who would otherwise be eligible if: (31) The University may impose additional requirements on applicants who will require Australian student visas to commence study. Applicants who do not meet these requirements at the time of application or acceptance will be refused admission. (32) The University may withdraw an offer of admission and/or cancel the enrolment of a student where such an offer: (33) The University may withdraw an offer of admission where it has been made through administrative error and the applicant does not meet the program entry requirements. If the offer was made to an international applicant and the applicant has accepted the offer, alternatives must be provided that do not involve greater cost to the applicant. (34) College Admission Managers may seek approval from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education to close a program that is not viable due to insufficient applications, and to withdraw offers already made. (35) The following officers decide whether deferment is available in program offerings at specific locations: (36) Where deferment is available in coursework programs: (37) Applicants for higher degree by research programs may defer for six or 12 months if: (38) Where an applicant defers but does not take up the deferred place by the end of the deferment period, and no extension of the deferment has been approved, the offer will lapse and, if the applicant later wishes to be admitted to the program, they must submit a new application for admission. (39) Students whose enrolment lapses may apply for readmission. (40) Applicants for readmission to a program are subject to the same requirements and selection methodology as any other applicant. (41) A person may apply for credit as part of the admission process or following enrolment. (42) The course coordinator is responsible for assessing applications for credit for a course. (43) The program manager or (in vocational education programs) program coordinator is responsible for coordinating assessment of a credit application by a student enrolled in the program. (44) Credit may be granted on the basis of: (45) Credit may be granted for previous learning undertaken in any language that satisfies the current learning outcomes or competency outcomes of the course. (46) Credit does not contribute to a student’s GPA in their program, except in the circumstances stated in clauses 56 to 57. (47) In higher education programs, credit is only available towards courses that meet the requirements of the approved program structure. (48) If credit for previous learning is available towards an RMIT program offered at one location, it is available at all other locations where the program is offered. (49) Credit is only available for a course or competency as a whole, not for individual assessment tasks or elements. (50) Credit is not available on the basis of: (51) Students may, however, be eligible for credit on the basis of a course for which credit was granted under the following circumstances: (52) Students entering a program on the basis of a credit agreement or credit arrangement may in some cases have been permitted to complete the pathway program with a non-standard enrolment. In these cases, students may be required to complete specific courses for which they would otherwise receive credit transfer under the agreement or arrangement if their enrolment in the previous program has not included content equivalent to these courses. (53) The RMIT institution may refuse to grant credit towards the final or capstone courses in a program where these are considered essential to demonstrate the student’s achievement of the program learning outcomes. (54) A student wishing to enrol in courses offered by another institution for the purpose of seeking credit towards their RMIT program, must obtain prior approval in writing from the program manager. (55) Credit is only available in active programs. For exceptions to this rule, see the admission and credit process manual for the relevant RMIT institution. (56) Students who receive credit towards an RMIT accredited program must normally complete 96 credit points or 50% of the program, whichever is less, through study in the program. (57) This requirement does not apply where: (58) In these circumstances, RMIT internal students will be permitted to complete less than 96 credit points or 50% of the program (i.e. they can get more than normal the maximum amount of credit). (59) Where a student receives more than the normal maximum credit under the circumstances described above, their grades (including fail grades) in the previous RMIT courses that are the basis of the credit will contribute to their program GPA and award level. (60) However where a student has: (61) Where a student has been transitioned to a new program that replaces their previous program, the transition arrangements must specify/map courses in program guides, including electives. (62) These provisions as set out in section 14, above only apply to higher education programs and courses (63) A student must have passed the course on the basis of which they are applying for credit. Students are not required to score any higher result than a pass to be eligible for credit. (64) Non-AQF qualifications must be assessed as equivalent to one of the AQF qualifications for which credit transfer may be available before they can be considered as a basis for credit transfer. (65) Where a qualification is an AQF qualification, or assessed as equivalent to an AQF qualification, credit transfer can be granted for elective courses in the RMIT program without further assessment: the level of the qualification is sufficient. (66) Different types of award programs may include content at the same AQF level. Accordingly credit transfer towards core and option courses may be available between: (67) Credit may be granted for elective courses in an undergraduate degree, on the basis of a relevant certificate III qualification, with the approval of the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching of the College that manages the degree program. (68) Credit transfer is only available for learning that is deemed current by the credit assessor, and will not be granted for courses completed more than 10 years before the application for credit is submitted. For exceptions, see the admission and credit process manual for the relevant RMIT institution. (69) Where knowledge in a discipline changes more rapidly, the program may propose a shorter recency limit than 10 years for approval by the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching. Where the original learning was completed earlier than the recency limit for credit transfer, and there is evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the discipline of the award, the student may apply for recognition of prior learning. (70) Credit transfer between vocational education units is limited to cases where there is evidence that the student has completed or received credit transfer or RPL for the same version of the same unit for which credit is sought. Where this evidence is not produced, or ASQA has classified the new version of the unit as not equivalent to the old, an RPL process should be considered. (71) Credit transfer may be granted in the form of specified or unspecified credit. (72) When negotiating credit agreements with other institutions, or assessing possible credit arrangements, the University will: (73) Where the other institution’s program is in a different national qualification system, it will be assessed for equivalence to one of these AQF qualifications: for details, see the admission and credit process manual for the relevant RMIT institution. (74) The following officers or committees may approve credit agreements made within the RMIT Group or between RMIT University and another Australian tertiary institution: (75) The maximum amounts of credit for previous RMIT study that can be granted under a credit agreement or credit arrangement are as follows: (76) The above standard amounts of credit will be granted regardless of the duration (volume of learning) of the lower program. (77) A standard amount of credit will be granted to students who complete a two-year RMIT associate degree or a two-year RMIT advanced diploma and are then admitted to a bachelor degree in the same area of study. The credit arrangements are as follows: (78) The relevant Dean/Head of School is responsible for ensuring that RPL assessments are validated and moderated in the same way as other types of assessment. (79) Assessment of an application for RPL in vocational education courses will meet the requirements of the relevant training package or accredited course. (80) Credit on the basis of RPL must be in the form of specified credit. (81) Masters exemptions are granted on the basis of qualifications at AQF level 7 or above, where applicants have a degree specialisation or major in the same discipline as the masters program in which the applicant has been offered a place. (82) Exemptions may be available for qualifications completed outside Australia that are assessed as equivalent to an AQF qualification at AQF level 7 or above. (83) Students may be granted exemptions in a masters program for only one previous qualification. (84) Students may not receive exemptions and credit transfer for the same previous qualification. (85) Where a student has been granted masters exemptions for a qualification, these exemptions cannot be transferred to a graduate diploma or graduate certificate even if it is an exit award from the same masters program. (86) Exemptions are available for a postgraduate qualification at the stated AQF level or higher. (87) For an applicant to be granted exemptions, their same-discipline qualification must have been completed within 10 years before the start of their enrolment in the RMIT masters program. (88) Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellors (Learning and Teaching) may approve exceptions to this recency requirement for specific programs (either the removal of the recency requirement, or a requirement of a shorter period of recency). Such exceptions are stated in the program guide. (89) An unsuccessful applicant may seek a review of a selection decision according to the process in the admission and credit process manual for the relevant RMIT institution. (90) A student, may seek a review of a credit decision by the College or School, by the process set out in the admission and credit process manual for the relevant RMIT institution. If the student is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review and they meet the grounds specified at 92 below, they may appeal the decision to the College Appeals Committee. (91) The student must appeal a credit decision within 20 working days of the date on which the notification of the credit decision was sent to the student. (92) For the appeal to be considered, the student must provide evidence that the following grounds exist: (93) Some individual applicants for admission may not meet the standard university entry requirements or program entry requirements, but demonstrate by other means that they are capable of success in the program. In these cases, the following officers may waive entry requirements: (94) Education Innovation and Quality Committee may waive university entry requirements and/or program entry requirements for a program or specific cohorts of applicants to a program. The relevant College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) may request such waivers. (95) The Academic Registrar maintains admission and credit processes for coursework programs and courses at RMIT Australia. (96) The Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development maintains admission and credit processes for applicants to higher degree by research programs. (97) The Executive Director, Vocational Education, maintains the processes specific to vocational education compliance. (98) The Executive Director, Students maintains the admission and credit processes for study abroad and exchange students. (99) Refer to the following documents which are established in accordance with this policy:Admission and Credit Policy
Section 1 - Purpose
Section 2 - Scope
Section 3 - Policy
Part A - Admission
University Entry Requirements
General Rules Regarding Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
General Rules Regarding English Language Requirements
Admission standards
Program Entry Requirements
Selection Methodology
Information for Applicants
Internal Applicants
Offer
Withdrawal or Refusal of Admission
Deferment
Readmission
Part B - Credit
General Rules
Minimum Amount of Study Required to be Eligible for an RMIT Award
their grades (including fail grades) in the previous RMIT courses that are the basis of the credit will contribute to their program GPA and award level, irrespective of the amount of credit transferred.Eligibility for Credit Transfer
Outcomes of Credit Transfer
Credit Agreements and Credit Arrangements
Maximum Credit for Previous RMIT Study in Credit Agreements or Credit Arrangements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Masters Exemptions
Part C - Review and Appeal
Review of Selection Decisions
Review of and Appeal Against credit Decisions
Part D - Exceptions and Waivers
Exceptions and Waivers
Part E - Processes
Admission and Credit Processes
Section 4 - Procedures and Resources
Section 5 - Definitions
Academic entry requirement
A requirement that an applicant must hold a minimum level of qualification, with or without a specified score in the qualification.
Admission
The process by which an applicant is offered (or denied) a place in a program or course of the University, comprising application, assessment of the application, offer, and acceptance of the offer.
Admission standards
The set of entry requirements for a specific program, and the methodology by which applicants are selected against these requirements.
Age requirement for entry
A minimum age below which an applicant may not be offered a place unless an exception is approved.
Block credit
Credit granted in place of one or more full-time semesters of a program.
Competitive selection (pooling)
A method of selection whereby applications are held and then ranked before offers are made.
Credit
A reduction in the number of courses a student is required to complete for a program, in recognition of their previous learning.
Credit agreement
A formal agreement between schools, colleges, centres or campuses of RMIT University and RMIT campuses outside Australia, or between these and another tertiary institution or industry partner, by which eligible students are granted defined amounts of credit towards a program.
Credit arrangement
An approved assessment of an RMIT program or another tertiary institution's program, by which graduates of the program are granted defined amounts of credit towards a RMIT University program.
Credit pathway
A pathway by which a student receives a standard grant of credit towards a program.
Credit precedent
An assessment of an application which is used as a precedent for subsequent decisions on whether to grant credit to subsequent applicants with the same qualifications.
Credit transfer
The process by which students receive credit for courses on the basis of previous formal study with equivalent content and learning outcomes; for credit transfer between vocational education units of competency, the previous unit must be the same version or classified as equivalent to the unit for which credit transfer is granted.
Deferment
Where an applicant who has been offered a place in a program is permitted to take up the place in a specified later teaching period.
English entry requirement
A requirement that an applicant must evidence a minimum level of English skills.
Entry
An outcome of selection, where an applicant is offered a place in a program.
Entry requirement
A requirement an applicant must meet to gain entry.
Equity admission consideration
The process whereby applicants from equity groups and/or who have been disadvantaged in some way receive extra consideration in admission; this may include the application of a notional bonus to their scores in qualifications considered for entry.
Equity admission scheme
An approved scheme for consistent application of equitable admission consideration to specific equity groups.
Equity group
A group recognised by the Commonwealth Government or by the University as under-represented in tertiary education because of disadvantage.
Exemption
A reduction in the volume of learning of a masters by coursework program, where the student has completed a previous qualification at the appropriate level in the same discipline.
Formal learning
Study comprising credit-bearing courses, subjects or units offered by an accredited tertiary education institution.
Fund source
The type of place in terms of funding (e.g. full fee, Commonwealth supported, international full fee) that a student may hold in a program.
Informal learning
Learning gained other than through study with an education provider; may include work or life experience.
Inherent requirements
The set of functional abilities (physical, sensory, literacy and behavioural) that a student will need in order to meet the academic and professional experience requirements of a program.
Non-formal learning
Learning gained through study with an education provider that is not an accredited tertiary institution, or which is not credit bearing: for example, short courses, professional development workshops.
Internal applicant
An applicant who is already a student in another RMIT program or who has recently completed another RMIT program.
Offer
The offer to an applicant of a place in a program.
Pathway
A program of study at RMIT or another institution, from which a student may enter an RMIT program, with or without a standard grant of credit.
Prerequisite
In admission, a specific subject or course the applicant must have completed to be considered for entry; may require a minimum score.
Program entry requirement
An entry requirement specific to a program.
Readmission
Where a person has previously been admitted to a program, but their enrolment has lapsed or been cancelled, or they have been excluded from the program, and they apply for admission again.
Recognition of current competency
A process of assessing that an individual who has previously achieved competency in a unit of competency or module, has maintained that competency.
Recognition of prior learning
(Higher Education) a process of assessing an individual's relevant prior informal and non-formal learning to determine whether they have met the learning outcomes of courses and can receive credit for them; (Vocational Education) a process of assessing evidence that an individual has achieved units of competency through prior formal, informal and/or non-formal learning and can receive credit for them.
RMIT Group
Includes RMIT Vietnam, RMIT Europe, RMIT Training, and other controlled entities (RMIT Foundation and Spatial Vision Innovations).
Selection
Process of assessing applicants and deciding which will be offered a place in a program, and which will be denied a place.
Selection methodology
Approved methodology for selecting applicants against all entry requirements for a program and, where relevant, ranking them.
Selection task
A program entry requirement whereby applicants are required to complete a specific task(s) such as undergo an interview, submit a folio of creative work, complete a form, etc.
Sequenced programs
Where students undertake more than one program, and the programs are closely related, so that students must complete the lower program(s) before they can enter and/or complete the higher program(s).
Specified credit
Credit granted towards a specific RMIT course or courses.
Unspecified credit
Credit that is not granted towards a specific course or courses, but in the form of credit points to fulfil elective course requirements.
University entry requirement
A minimum requirement for entry that applies to all programs of a particular type across the University.
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