Turning what you love into your career

Think of something you enjoy doing. Have you considered this as a possible career path?

David Sheehy did, and now he's at Murdoch studying Games Art and Design.

Prompted by a YouTube series called Extra Credit, which focuses on the Games Design industry, David started to consider his interest in gaming as more than just a spare time hobby.

To help him choose his area of study, David wanted to find out more about the industry and what kind of career he could have after studying this course at uni.

This meant lots of asking, talking and listening.

David spoke to people in the industry and found it helped a lot to hear the opinions of someone who had been working in the Gaming industry for ages. When he was 15 he was lucky enough to get an insiders sneak peak into places like WETA in New Zealand and the Eve Headquarters in Iceland, which gave him an impression of what it would be like to work in places like these after he graduated.

He also attended course career days and exhibitions and spoke to lecturers and met people who helped him confirm his decision.

By listening, asking and exploring the industry and being open to other ideas, you could find yourself somewhere unexpected but equally rewarding. David suggests not ignoring the wider options that are available, be open to different avenues and not just the places you initially think of.

David strongly believes that finding the course that's right for you is about figuring out what you enjoy:

How David Explored

By attending Murdoch's Open Your Mind Day and speaking to lecturers.
		By talking to people in the industry.
By attending career expos and talking to reps from each uni and Tafe to see what they offered in Games Art.
		By visiting the uni to get a feel for the campus.
By watching and reading things online to get a feel for the industry.

David's Pathway to Murdoch Uni

If I did the same subject in year 12, do I have to repeat it in my degree??

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Another common question in our Advance Standing series is:

Q: I did chemistry in year 12 do I have to do it again in my degree? 

In some courses, there are prerequisite units in the first year that are similar in content as year 12 subjects, such as chemistry. These are usually put in the first year so students who did not study chemistry at high school can still do the course. If however you did do the subject at school and you achieved a mark of 60% or higher then you won’t have to do the prerequisite unit.

This will not make your degree shorter it just means you don’t have to do the prerequisite unit. You will then be able to complete the requirements of your degree as per your course structure. Take a look at your course structure in the handbook to find out what units you can choose from. 

Find out more about Advanced Standing, credits and exemptions.

I’ve changed my course can I get credits on my new course?

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Another common question we get asked about Advanced Standing is around what can be applied to a new course when a current Murdoch student changes their degree.

Q: I’m a Murdoch student and have changed my course, what can be applied to my new degree?

There isn’t really a set answer for current Murdoch students who want to do an internal course transfer as it varies depending on your situation, the course you are currently doing and the course that you wish to transfer to.

You will need to speak to an Accreditation Officer to see what is possible. It will usually need to be discussed with the Academic Chair for your course area to see what can be applied to your new course and what path is best to follow. 

Find out more about Advanced Standing, credits and exemptions.

I have studied abroad and at another uni, can I apply for Advanced Standing?

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For those who get the travel bug, here are some common questions we get asked around receiving credits and exemptions (aka Advanced Standing) when you study overseas or at another uni:

Q: I have studied abroad can I apply for Advanced Standing?

Q: I have done some study at another uni, can I apply for Advanced Standing? 

Q: I want to study some units at another uni and then accredit them back to my course at Murdoch? (yes, this is essentially the same question as both of the above) 

Some folk like to study the majority of their degree at one uni (their home uni) but attend another uni (the host uni) for some time during their degree. This often comes about when students travel abroad, for example, they may go and study one semester in the UK. This is referred to as study abroad and to apply to be hosted by Murdoch you must fill out the study abroad/exchange application form.

Some students don’t travel they just go and study at another uni in Australia for a semester or so. This is generally because there is a particular unit relevant to their degree that they are interested in that isn’t offered by their home uni. Prior approval is required for Murdoch students to undertake studies at another institution.

Anyway, we can offer Advanced Standing in these situations so you get credit for, or exemptions from the units you studied at your host uni (obviously it has to be related to your course at Murdoch). To apply you must fill out the special cross-institutional form. 

Find out more about Advanced Standing, credits and exemptions.

Can I use my Tafe qualification to get credits on my Murdoch degree?

We get lots of students asking us how they can get credits or exemptions on their uni course from their TAFE studies. Credits and exemptions equal what the uni world calls Advanced Standing. Below are two popular questions answered:

Q: I have a Certificate III or IV from TAFE, can I apply for Advanced Standing?

No. You must have at least an AQF (Australian Qualification Framework) level 5 Diploma or equivalent to apply for Advanced Standing. If you have done a Certificate IV or less it does not provide you with any credits or exemptions for your course at Murdoch.

Q: I have a Diploma from TAFE can I apply for Advanced Standing?

The successful completion of an AQF level 5 Diploma or equivalent means you may be able to receive a credit or exemption. Bear in mind that the Diploma must meet the criteria from the AFQ. Some overseas Diplomas are different and do not match the AQF, therefore they will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Murdoch has articulation arrangements with some external institutions so students who complete certain qualifications can apply straight into a related course at Murdoch and receive some credit or exemption.

Read how applying for study at Murdoch from TAFE helped one student reach his potential.

Find out more about Advanced Standing

VIDEO: What advice do you wish you had been given at the start of year 12?

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Breaking up with your ATAR and finding a new pathway into uni
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Preparing for WACE exams: tips for using old exam papers
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Be friends with us on Facebook for heaps of tips, advice and event updates.

The 10 most FAQs we get asked about Advanced Standing

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We get a lot of questions around Advanced Standing and the difference between credits and exemptions and we know it can seem a little confusing at first, deciphering what they all mean and how they apply to you. 

Below we cover some common questions we get asked. Advanced Standing is assessed on an individual basis and each student’s situation is slightly different. Students often aren’t aware of what gets covered in Advanced Standing or realise that they don’t have the right qualifications to apply so understanding the differences can save you time and the hassle of going through the process for no reason, so read on…

Q: What is Advanced Standing?

Advanced Standing is the collective term used by most universities to describe the ways students can use some of their previous learning experience and put it toward their degree. Often also called credit transfer, exemption or simply just credit. 

If you want to apply for credits or exemptions make sure you tick the Advanced Standing check box when you are filling out the application form. You will need to provide unit outlines from previous study. 

If you indicate on your uni application that you want to be assessed for Advanced Standing, our Accreditation Officers will review it once you have been offered and have accepted a place at Murdoch University. 

Q: What’s the difference between a credit and an exemption?

A credit is when the uni recognises that you have already completed some requirements of your course so it reduces the points you need to finish your degree.  So, instead of the usual 72 points required to complete most Bachelor degrees, you may only need to study enough units to gain 60 points, for example. Check the Course Structure of your course in the Handbook to see how many points each unit is worth.

You would still have to complete the required or core units in your course.

An exemption is when you have completed the equivalent of a unit in your previous studies so you don’t have to do this unit again in your Murdoch degree. An exemption can be awarded with or without credit.

The 8 remaining questions:

Q: I have a Certificate III or IV from TAFE, can I apply for Advanced Standing?

Q: I have a Diploma from TAFE can I apply for Advanced Standing?

Q: I have studied abroad can I apply for Advanced Standing?

Q: I have done some study at another uni, can I apply for Advanced Standing? 

Q: I want to study some units at another uni and then accredit them back to my course at Murdoch? 

Q: I’m a Murdoch student and have changed my course, what can be applied to my new degree?

Q: I have heaps of work experience can I get exemptions?

Q: I did chemistry in year 12 do I have to do it again in my degree? 

Need more info?

More information on Advanced Standing for Domestic students 

If you are a Domestic student, contact our Student Centre to speak to our Accreditation Officer

More information on Advanced Standing for International Students

Contact our International Accreditation Officer