Undergraduate Credit for Prior Tertiary Study - FAQ

Applicants are advised to acquaint themselves with the requirements for the degree that they are transferring into before applying for credit.

It will not always be possible to be offered credit for all study previously undertaken due to the regulations governing the award of any particular degree. Requirements for the degrees administered by the Faculty of Science are available in the Faculty of Science Handbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I apply for credit?
2. Who needs to apply for credit?
3. If I tell you what i have already studied, can you tell me if I will get credit for it?
4. I have some questions about how to fill in the form…
   - What if I don’t have an SID number?
   - What if I have more credit points from previous study than I'm allowed to credit?
5. I have already completed more than 96 credit points in the degree that I am studying now – as I can only get 96 points of credit from my uncompleted degree does this mean I will have to retake the same units?
6. How will I be informed about my application?
7. How long until I hear the result of my application?
8. How can I submit my application?

When should I apply for credit?

New international applicants must finalise the amount of credit granted before accepting an offer for admission. Credit granted with this offer may be specified at the time of enrolment, if necessary.

View the credit application deadlines.

Applications received after the deadline will not be processed until the following semester.

Who needs to apply for credit?

You need to apply for credit if:

• You are transferring from another university through UAC
• You are transferring from another degree at Sydney through UAC
• You are transferring internally from another degree within the Faculty of Science
• You are starting a second degree and wish to have credit from courses completed in a previous degree.
• You are applying for credit for University of Sydney Summer/Winter school studies.

You will not need to apply for credit for second year entry into the Bachelor of Medical Science.

If I tell you what I have already studied, can you tell me if I will get credit for it?

Unfortunately the answer to this is no, we can't tell you over the phone or by email if you will get credit for any studies that you have previously undertaken. Credit applications must be submitted using the form below and will be professionally assessed.

You may be able to get an idea of credit you might receive by familiarising yourself with the degree requirements for your new degree. Requirements for the degrees administered by the Faculty of Science are available in the Faculty of Science Handbook. If the units of study you have completed are the same or very similar to those in the new degree you are likely to get credit for them.

Other units of study you have completed may count towards your new degree if it has elective units.

The total amount of credit granted may not be greater than 96 credit points for most degrees and may not include more than 48 credit points from a degree that has been conferred.

I have some questions about how to fill in the form…

Overview

The application form includes fields that must be completed by all applicants. This ensures that the application is processed and an outcome communicated to applicants in as short a time period as possible.

All applicants must provide:
their full name, mailing address, contact phone numbers, and the degree at the University of Sydney for which the applicant wishes credit to be added.

Applicants who have previously studied at the University of Sydney are also required to provide their Student Identification (SID) number.

Applicants should indicate on the form whether they are applying for credit for study undertaken at the University of Sydney or another Tertiary Institution.

What if I don’t have an SID number?

SID number – you will need to fill this in if you are a current student or if you have already enrolled and obtained a student number at the University of Sydney.

What if I have more credit points from previous study than I'm allowed to credit?

Selecting units for which credit is sought is necessary if you applying for credit from a completed Undergraduate degree – a maximum of 48 credit points of credit can be offered for a completed award course. Applicants should make themselves aware of the requirements for the degree for which they are applying for credit before lodging the application. Requirements for the degrees administered by the Faculty of Science are available in the Faculty of Science Handbook.

I have already completed more than 96 credit points in the degree that I am studying now – as I can only get 96 points of credit from my uncompleted degree does this mean I will have to retake the same units?

You will have to complete the degree requirements for the degree you are transferring into. This would not necessarily mean that you have to retake the same units though you may need to as a part of your requirements. You should note that in undergraduate courses, all students must complete at least the senior Science units of study required for a major, at the University of Sydney.

How will I be informed about my application?

Your application result will be sent via email to your university email address. We may also contact you by phone or email if we require you to supply further documentation.

How long until I hear the result of my application?

Credit offers are sent to students by the first week of classes in a semester, at the latest, to enable students to vary their enrolment by the deadline for that semester.

You should enrol in subjects as if you have not been granted credit from your previous studies and vary your enrolment after you hear if necessary.

How can I submit my application?

You may submit your application by post or in person, faxed applications are not accepted.

Applicants should download and read the Credit for Prior Tertiary Study information sheet and application form carefully before applying.