
If you're considering applying for recognition of prior learning or looking at study load, cross-institutional study, timetable clash or course substitution, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with these important rules.
Details on UNSW academic policies are available at UNSW Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.
You can contact the The Nucleus: Student Hub for further assistance
*This is also referred to as credit transfer or advanced standing.
All applications for RPL at UNSW are subject to UNSW recognition of prior learning (coursework programs) policy and procedures.
In addition, the following conditions apply for all UNSW Science programs (including the science component of dual award programs):
1. Time limit
Defined as time elapsed from completion of course to commencement of science program.
2. Maximum recognition of prior learning permitted
3. Re-admission
Students who are readmitted into a science program after a period of unapproved absence or deferment or after exclusion will not necessarily retain RPL that was previously approved. The time limits above may be re-applied at time of re-admission.
Applications for RPL will only be assessed for students who have accepted a place to study in a UNSW Science program.
Students who wish to enrol in more than 18 units of credit (UOC) in a standard term must obtain approval from their Program Authority before enrolment.
For science students, this permission will only be given to students who meet the following criteria:
These criteria may be waived by the Director of Academic Programs (or delegate) if a student:
If approved, students will only be allowed to enrol into an additional 6 UOC per term.
Approval to overload DOES NOT also constitute approval to enrol in timetable clashes, full classes or courses without meeting the pre-requisites.
Postgrad online students following the Hexamester calendar
Students who wish to enrol in more than 6 UoC per Hexamester (up to a max of 12 UOC) must seek approval.
For data science students, this permission will only be given to students who meet the following criteria:
Postgraduate Online Psychology programs do not allow an enrolment over 6 UOC per hexamester.
Students may apply to complete courses at another institution subject to the following eligibility criteria:
The following limitations on cross-institutional study will apply:
Approved international exchange is considered separately to cross-institutional study. However, when students have undertaken approved international exchange, additional cross-institutional study will only be permitted under exceptional circumstances.
Science students may apply to enrol in a timetable clash subject to the following eligibility criteria:
a clash where a non-science course will be missed has approval from the non-science faculty.
Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis where the clash is unavoidable, and the course is required for the student’s major or program.
In applying for a timetable clash, students acknowledge the following:
Students may apply for a course substitution or variation to the rules of their program or major for the following reasons:
In applying for a course substitution, students acknowledge the following:
Non-Science 6 UOC Level 1 | SCIF0106 |
Non-Science 12 UOC Level 1 | SCIF0112 |
Non-Science 18 UOC Level 1 | SCIF0118 |
Non-Science 24 UOC Level 1 | SCIF0124 |
Non-Science 6 UOC Level 2 | SCIF0206 |
Non-Science 12 UOC Level 2 | SCIF0212 |
6 UOC General Education | GENZ2000 |
12 UOC General Education | GENZ3500 |
Science 6 UOC Level 1 | SCIF6106 |
Science 12 UOC Level 1 | SCIF6112 |
Science 18 UOC Level 1 | SCIF6118 |
Science 24 UOC Level 1 | SCIF6124 |
Science 6 UOC Level 2 | SCIF6206 |
Science 12 UOC Level 2 | SCIF6212 |
Science 18 UOC Level 2 | SCIF6218 |
Science 6 UOC Level 3 | SCIF6306 |
Science 12 UOC Level 3 | SCIF6312 |
The deadline to enrol or add a new course is the Sunday of Week 1 for Term 1, 2 or 3. Only in exceptional circumstances will science students be permitted to enrol in a course late and applications must be submitted via the webform before midday Friday of Week 2.
In Science we have many equivalent courses ( MATH1131/MATH1141, for example), where students can enrol in the higher or advanced version of a course for an extra challenge. If you’ve made the wrong choice, switching between equivalent courses will normally be permitted up until census date with approval from the course convenor. If after Week 2, please use the Late Enrolment Request Higher/Lower Course Variation webform to request the change.