Recognition of prior learning

For UTS Science courses, recognition of prior learning may be granted on the basis of previous studies in recognised educational institution in the form of subject exemptions.

Subject exemptions could be in two forms, namely:

A specific subject

  • Recognition of prior learning will only be granted for subjects deemed equivalent to UTS subjects in time, content, treatment and conceptual development.

An unspecified elective

  • Recognition of prior learning for unspecified electives* have to be equivalent to a session-long UTS subject.

The maximum amount of credit allowed by UTS Science for recognition of prior learning is one half (50%) of the total course credit point requirement for a course.

Recognition of prior learning will not be granted for subjects taken more than five years prior to your first session of study in the relevant UTS Science’s course, unless there is evidence through work experience that the knowledge has remained current.

You are to apply for recognition of prior learning at enrolment in your first session of study. recognition of prior learning will only be granted in exceptional circumstances after this time.

Previously acquired credentialed of learning may only be counted once as approved recognition of prior learning for any course offered by UTS. Therefore, you should take note that recognition of prior learning given in one course at UTS, will not necessarily be transferred to another course at UTS after a successful internal course transfer.

*Note: Electives are courses you can choose outside of your core or compulsory subjects for your degree.

Rules governing recognition of prior learning for UTS Science courses are published in the undergraduate and postgraduate course information sections of the UTS: Handbook.

UTS College

If you have successfully completed the UTS College Diploma of Science, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning depending on your chosen UTS Science course. Please refer to the below list.

You will be granted 48 credit points of recognition of prior learning in the courses listed below:

Bachelor of Advanced Science with major in:

  • Advanced Materials and Data Science, or
  • Environmental Biotechnology, or
  • Infection and Immunity, or
  • Pre-Medicine
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences

Bachelor of Biomedical Physics

Bachelor of Biotechnology with major in:

  • Biosensor Technology, or
  • Environmental Biotechnology, or
  • Medical Biotechnology

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Bachelor of Environmental Biology

Bachelor of Forensic Science (including combined degrees with Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation, and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies) with major in:

  • Biology, or
  • Chemistry, or
  • Crime Scene Investigation

Bachelor of Marine Biology

Bachelor of Medical Science

Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry

Bachelor of Science with major in:

  • Applied Chemistry, or
  • Applied Physics, or
  • Biomedical Science, or
  • Biotechnology, or
  • Chemical Sciences, or
  • Environmental Sciences, or
  • General (Life and Environmental Sciences), or
  • General (Physical Sciences), or
  • Medical and Molecular Biosciences, or
  • Medical Science, or
  • Nanotechnology, or
  • Physics and Advanced Materials

If your chosen course is listed below, you will be granted up to the specified credit points of recognition of prior learning:

Bachelor of Biotechnology with major in

  •  Computational Biotechnology (36 credit points)

Bachelor of Science in Analytics (24 credit points)

Bachelor of Science with major in:

  • Mathematics (24 credit points), or
  • Statistics (24 credit points)

Postgraduate courses

Students may be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 24 credit points within C04241 Master of Science,C04267 Master of Science (Honours) and C04373 Master of Quantitative Finance and up to 36 credit points within C04265 Master of Science (Extension). Recognition of prior learning is not granted in Graduate Certificates.

To be considered for recognition of prior learning, subjects must normally have been completed no more than five years prior to the commencement of this course.

I have completed a TAFE Diploma. Am I eligible for recognition of prior learning?

If you have completed a TAFE Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40122) or a Diploma in Laboratory Technologies (MSL50122) then you will be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Up to 24cp will be automatically credited towards the Faculty of Science Bachelor’s degrees as shown below. 

Please note that for other courses not included in this document Recognition of prior learning is granted on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll need to apply. 

Please note that RPL does not always result in a reduction in the length of the degree. Students may be required to undertake a reduced study load in some sessions. Program schedules will vary depending on student commencement date and other subject selection. 

Students enrolling in UTS Faculty of Science Bachelor’s degrees who have previously completed a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40122) or a Diploma in Laboratory Technologies (MSL50122) are eligible for 18cp or 24 credit points of recognition of prior learning (RPL). The following subjects will be automatically credited towards the Bachelor’s degrees shown below. 

Please note that for all other courses not included in this document students will be assessed on an individual basis. SAU will contact Program Director for assessment. 

Please note that RPL does not always result in a reduction in the length of the degree. Students may be required to undertake a reduced study load in some sessions. Program schedules will vary depending on student commencement date and other subject selection.

UTS CourseNameMajor
C10223Bachelor of Environmental BiologyEnvironmental Biology
C10228Bachelor of Marine Biology and Climate ChangeMarine Biology and Climate Change
C10172Bachelor of Molecular BiotechnologyMAJ01173  Environmental Biotechnology
  MAJ01174  Medical Biotechnology
C10184Bachelor of Medical ScienceMAJ01178  Medical and Health-related Sciences
  MAJ06255  Pathology
C10242Bachelor of ScienceMAJ01126  Environmental Sciences
  MAJ01103  Biotechnology
  MAJ01105  Medical Science
  STM90694  No specified major (Life and Environmental Sciences)
C10387Bachelor of Forensic ScienceMAJ01149  Biology
  MAJ01150  Crime Scene Investigation
RPLCertificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40122)Diploma in Laboratory Technologies(MSL50122)
PathologyChemistryFood
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics6cp6cpn/a6cp
33116 Design, Data, and Decisions 6cp6cp6cp
65111 Chemistry 16cp6cp6cp6cp
Free electives6cp6cp12cp6cp
Total Credit Points18cp24cp24cp24cp
   
UTS CourseNameMajor
C10242Bachelor of ScienceMAJ01101  Physics
  MAJ01110  Mathematics
  MAJ01100  Chemistry
  STM90697 No specified major (Physical Sciences)
C10387Bachelor of Forensic ScienceMAJ01148  Chemistry
RPLCertificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40122)Diploma in Laboratory Technologies(MSL50122)
PathologyChemistryFood
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics6cp6cpn/a6cp
65111 Chemistry 16cp6cp6cp6cp
Free electives6cp12cp18cp12cp
Total Credit Points18cp24cp24cp24cp
   
UTS CourseNameMajor
C10387Bachelor of Forensic ScienceMAJ01151  Digital Forensics
RPLCertificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40122)Diploma in Laboratory Technologies (MSL50122)
PathologyChemistryFood
33116 Design, Data, and Decisions6cp6cp6cp6cp
Free electives12cp18cp18cp18cp
Total Credit Points18cp24cp24cp24cp
   
UTS CourseName 
C10457Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences 
C10347Bachelor of Advanced Science 
 Post graduate degrees 
RPLCertificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40122)Diploma in Laboratory Technologies (MSL50122)
 n/an/a
UTS CourseNameMajor
C10482Bachelor of Food Science and Technology 
RPLCertificate IV in Laboratory Techniques(MSL40122)Diploma in Laboratory Technologies (MSL50122)
PathologyChemistryFood
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics6cp6cpn/a6cp
33116 Design, Data, and Decisions 6cp6cp6cp
65111 Chemistry 16cp6cp6cp6cp
91251 Foundations of Food Sciencen/an/an/a6cp
Free electives6cp6cp12cpn/a
Total Credit Points18cp24cp24cp24cp

 

How do I apply for recognition of prior learning?

  1. All applications for recognition of prior learning for UTS Science courses can be made online. Please visit this page: recognition of prior learning.
  2. You should lodge your recognition of prior learning application when accepting your offer, and prior to your enrolment. Make sure you include complete and appropriate documentation, such as subject outline (translated if they are not in English) and your official academic transcripts for the subject.
  3. If your recognition of prior learning is not approved and recorded on your study plan, you will encounter delays with enrolment.
  4. Faculty’s evaluation and decision on recognition of prior learning application is final.

In person

UTS Student Centre

Building 5 - Haymarket
Block C, Level 1
Cnr Quay Street and Ultimo Road
Haymarket, NSW 2000
Normal hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm
First week of formal classes for Autumn/Spring Sessions: Monday to Friday from 8:30am - 6:30pm

Building 10 - Broadway
Level 2, 235 Jones Street
Ultimo, NSW 2007
Normal hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm
First week of formal classes for Autumn/Spring Sessions: Monday to Friday from 8:30am - 6:30pm

Online enquiries

You can submit online enquiries and eRequests to your Student Centre via Ask UTS.

Telephone enquiries

1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887) (from within Australia)
+61 2 9514 1222 (International)

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.