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Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning

Your previous study, work or professional work experience could count towards your ECU course, reducing the number of units you need to complete. Find out whether you could receive credit and how to apply.

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What is CRPL?

Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL) recognises the knowledge and skills you already have and may reduce the number of units you need to complete for your ECU qualification. CRPL can be awarded in one of two ways:

  1. A Credit Transfer which is a claim for recognition of a previous unit, module or qualification you've achieved through formal learning.
  2. Recognition of Prior Learning where we assess the skills and knowledge you've achieved outside the formal education and training system – through non-formal or informal learning. Non-formal learning can be in-house professional development or training you've received through an employer. Informal learning can relate to relevant life or work experience.

Am I eligible for Credit Transfer

Search the CRPL database to see whether ECU has assessed your previous study and identify potential credit for your course. If your institution or qualification is not listed, you may still be eligible and can apply for an individual assessment.

Search the CRPL database

  • Use the database to search by:

    • Previous institution
    • Previous qualification
    • ECU course

    If your previous studies were completed in Australia, try:

    • Selecting 'Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas (Australian Training Packages) Inc TAFE' as the institution, or
    • Selecting 'Country not Stated' as the country.

    If you can’t find your institution or qualification in the database, it may be because it has not yet been assessed or added. You may still be eligible for CRPL and your application can be assessed individually.

  • Examples of where credit will not be granted:

    • Study or professional work experience completed more than 10 years ago will not normally be considered for CRPL. For some courses, a shorter timeframe may apply where current knowledge and skills are required to meet professional accreditation or industry standards.
    • Enabling courses completed at another institution.
    • Certificate IV (VET) qualifications are not eligible for credit towards undergraduate or postgraduate degree courses.
    • Units of study for which a fail grade or conceded pass was awarded.
    • Units of study you've already attempted and received a finalised grade for at ECU.
    • If the credit exceeds the maximum allowed for your course (refer to maximum credit table)

When should I apply for CRPL?

If you're a new student or are commencing a new course at ECU, we recommend submitting your application for CRPL as soon as you have accepted your offer.

Applications submitted closer to the start of semester may take longer to assess due to increased demand.

The next step after accepting your offer is to enrol in course units. It's best to know if you're going to be awarded credit for a unit before you enrol.

If you have enrolled in one or more units and wish to apply for CRPL, you must submit your application no later than 14 days after the unit commences.

Read the guide to submitting a CRPL application.

Note

Applications submitted more than 14 days after the unit starts won't be considered for CRPL.

What supporting documents do I need?

Credit transfers (formal learning)

If you're applying for credit transfer based on formal learning, please include the following documents with your application:

  • Cover Letter and Unit Mapping
  • Official academic transcript (for study completed outside ECU)
  • Official completion certificate (for a completed qualification outside ECU)
  • Official unit outlines or syllabi (for study completed outside ECU, unless an exemption applies)

Recognition of prior learning (non-formal or informal learning)

If you're applying for recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on informal or non-formal learning, please include the following documents with your application:

  • Cover Letter and Unit Mapping
  • Resume (maximum 2 pages)
  • Learning Outcomes Statement
  • Letter from employer or client
  • Other supporting evidence

Note

For more detailed information for what each supporting document requires please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

How do I submit my application?

Complete the online CRPL application and upload your supporting documentation. Read the guide to submitting a CRPL application for step-by-step instructions .

Apply for CRPL

Once your application has been submitted, along with all required supporting documentation, it will be assessed by ECU. For information about assessment timeframes and appealing a decision, see the FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can help with my CRPL application?

Need technical support?

If you're having a technical issue, including accessing or completing the form, uploading or deleting documents, please contact the IT Services Desk via email at itservicedesk@ecu.edu.au or phone (08) 6304 6000.

How long does it take to process my CRPL application?

Complete applications generally take around 10 business days to assess. During peak periods, or for complex applications, assessment can take up to 25 business days.

  • Credit can be granted in three ways:

    1. Specified Credit awarded when your previous study or professional work experience has been assessed as equivalent to specific ECU units and credit is granted for specified units within your course.
    2. Unspecified Credit is where you're given general credit towards your course in the form of unspecified elective units, Unit Set, or Minor.
    3. Block Credit is awarded for a defined component of a course. For example, the first 60 credit points.

    Note

    Where credit is given, no numerical mark from the prior learning will be transferred or awarded, nor will it be included when determining a Weighted Average Mark.

  • If you're applying for credit transfer based on successful completion of units, modules or qualifications achieved through formal learning, please provide the following documents with your application:

    • Cover Letter and Unit Mapping: All applications for credit should be supported with ECU’s Cover Letter and Unit Mapping PDF document. Please review for more information on how to put together the table.
      Before completing a unit mapping table, we recommend you search the online CRPL database to see if any precedents exist for your prior study and the ECU course or unit for which you are seeking credit. If a precedent exists for your prior study, please reference the Precedent number in the mapping table.
    • Official academic transcript: Required for study completed outside of ECU. Copy of your official academic transcript, that includes all units/modules completed, results and a grading or marking key. Academic e-records or web-based printouts are not accepted. If the transcript requires verification through the My eQuals please upload it to your CRPL application as a separate document and ensure you share the official copy with ECU using the Organisation Share process via the My eQuals Platform. For more information refer to the My eQuals website.
    • Official completion certificate: Required for completed study outside of ECU. If you're applying for CRPL based on a completed qualification, such as a Diploma, you'll need to provide a copy of your official completion certificate. Academic e-records or web-based print outs are not accepted. If the certificate requires verification through the My eQuals please upload it to your CRPL application as a separate document and ensure you share the official copy with ECU using the Organisation Share process via the My eQuals Platform. For more information refer to the My eQuals website .
    • Official unit-outlines/syllabi: Required for study completed outside of ECU. A copy of official unit outlines which should be specific to the year or intake the unit was completed and include key details such as learning outcomes, weekly tutorial and lecture topics, reading lists, and assessment advice. Web summaries or general handbook entries are usually not sufficient.
      If you're applying for credit based on an existing credit precedent from our CRPL database or an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma, you won't be required to submit your unit outlines, unless we request these from you.

    Note

    All supporting documents should be uploaded as PDF documents.

  • If you're applying for recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on work experience and informal or non-formal learning, e.g. professional development or in-house training, you'll need to supply these documents with your application:

    • Cover Letter and Unit Mapping: Include ECU's Cover Letter and Unit Mapping PDF with your credit application. Find out how to complete the unit mapping table.
    • Resume (maximum 2 pages): include detailed work experience, position title and length of service, and referee name and contact number of supervisor/manager.
    • Learning Outcomes Statement: this document should address the individual Learning Outcomes of the ECU unit. These can be found in the ECU's handbook.
      Format your statement so the Learning Outcomes are presented under separate headings. For each Outcome explain how your experience, in combination with any prior formal learning if applicable, demonstrates your achievement of that outcome, simply describing your role is not sufficient.
    • Letter from employer or client:
      • Employer letters must be on company letterhead.
      • All letters must be signed, contain contact details and state that they have read your RPL statement and can verify the content.
    • Other supporting evidence: Other evidence such as publications, portfolios, testimonies, letters from employers or clients can also be included with your application.

    Note

    If you intend to apply for RPL for Social Work Field Placement units, there are specific supporting document requirements and application submission dates.

    All supporting documents should be uploaded as PDF documents.

  • It can generally take around 10 business days to process your application and provide an outcome.

    However, during peak periods and for complex applications that require review by one or more academics, applications can take longer to process, and in some instances, it can take up to 25 business days.

    Therefore, applicants should submit their CRPL forms as soon as they accept their offer.

    Note

    If we need further information, you'll receive an email notification to your ECU student email account. This account will also be used to notify you of the outcome of your CRPL application.

  • If you believe your credit determination is incorrect you can request an informal review of the assessment and decision. This must be made within 14 days of the credit decision notification.

    You can contact us to initiate an informal review. We'll provide information on who will undertake the review and facilitate the referral to an appropriate reviewer on your behalf, if required.

    If you're not satisfied with the outcome, you can request a formal review.

    You'll need to write a statement presenting the grounds on which you're seeking the review and provide any documents you'd like to be considered. Once you've prepared your formal review statement and documents, you can submit these through our online enquiry form.

    A request for a formal review can only be made on one or more of the following grounds:

    1. the decision was affected by discrimination, prejudice, or bias
    2. a process was not duly carried out in accordance with the Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy or Procedures
    3. the Credit Determination was made contrary to the evidence provided.

    For more information about review grounds, please read the Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Procedures.

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.