Related links
Skip to main content
Search the University of Sydney website
Current students
Credit for previous study
Related study or work experience can be credited to your degree as a form of recognition of prior learning. This means you won’t have to repeat similar units and could graduate sooner. Find out about types of credit and how to apply.
- Recognition of prior learning
- What you'll need to apply
- How to apply
- When to apply
- After you've applied
- Your credit outcome
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is when your previous studies or work experience are recognised and counted towards your current degree. We tend to use RPL and credit interchangeably, however RPL can also refer to reduced volume of learning as well as waivers, which are explained below.
If we approve your application, we’ll decide what you can be awarded based on your course, course rules, and the study or work experience you’ve completed. We’ll then make you an offer which you’ll need to accept or decline.
Impact of accepting credit or reduced volume of learning
Any credit or reduced volume of learning you accept may:
- reduce your course duration
- reduce your course fees
- change your study load
- affect your eligibility for government assistance (e.g. Austudy)
- affect your student visa if you’re an international study.
Credit
This is where you’re awarded credit points towards your course.
Specific credit is where you’ve previously undertaken an exact equivalent unit at another institution and won’t need to complete the unit here.
Non-specific credit is where we award you credit points towards a subject area at a particular level (e.g. 1000-level Biology) when there is no equivalent unit of study here.
Reduced volume of learning (RVL)
Some master’s courses use RVL to reduce the number of credit points needed to complete the course, where you have relevant other qualifications (e.g. a bachelor’s degree) or work experience. RVL is not available to students completing undergraduate courses.
Waiver
This an exemption from completing a particular unit of study, where the unit you’ve completed is substantially similar to a University of Sydney unit, but credit cannot be given. Unlike credit and RVL, waivers don’t reduce the duration of your award course and you’ll need to complete another unit in its place. After you submit your credit application, if you're eligible for a waiver, we'll contact you with instructions on what to do next.
Find out more about how the different types of credit or RVL can count towards your course requirements.
The rules for RPL are explained in part 11 of our Coursework Policy.
Many faculties, schools and courses have additional rules about RPL, which you can find in the faculty and course resolutions in your handbook.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you:
- are changing your degree here at Sydney and have completed units of study
- completed subjects or qualifications at another tertiary institution including:
- an Australian university
- an overseas university
- TAFE
- a private education provider
- through cross-institutional study
- through study abroad
- have relevant work experience related to certain postgraduate degrees.
When credit will not be granted
You can’t apply for:
- study completed more than 10 years ago (for some courses this time limit is reduced to three or five years)
- undergraduate units to be credited towards a postgraduate degree
- units where you received concessional pass grades
- units you attempted and did not pass
- studies completed at another tertiary institution that you were excluded from.
Some schools and faculties won't award credit for a unit that you previously failed at the University of Sydney. Check the faculty and course resolutions in your handbook to see if this applies to you.
Last updated: 10 June 2025
