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.
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.
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.
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.
Perspective Squarecase by Erik Johansson ↬ Deviantart
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.
It’s always tricky coming to a new place and trying to figure out where everything is so we have compiled some very useful things to help you get a feel for what the campus is like and to make sure you don’t get lost during your first few weeks at Murdoch!
Uni campus’ are notorious for being impossible to navigate, Hogwarts is not the exception when it comes to hidden staircases, secret levels and winding passage ways. “How can I be on level 3?? I only went up 1 flight of stairs!” This is commonly heard in the Education building – be careful of that one, it is oddly shaped like an ‘H’ and you always come out with a complete loss of bearing. Can’t say we didn’t warn you!
People say we have a pretty nice campus, we tend to agree ;)
The Murdoch campus is large but filled with lots of awesome things. Our Bush court is the heart of it all and lends an Australian feel to the campus and you will always find students on the grass, enjoying the sun or the shade. We have a newly refurbished Tavern, a Japanese garden and a swimming pool!
For some of the more, shall we say peculiar, things you might find on campus, check out Student blogger Ben’s video.
Even if you think you can’t read them, take a map
OK, so reading maps isn’t everyone’s forte, but we do have a big campus and to get your bearings consult a map before you come! You can check out our online map here. If you have a smartphone then you can access our mobile map while you are on campus. Just access the Murdoch site on your phone and you will be directed to the mobile site automatically. Easy!
We like to give locations weird codes
So, you have a tute or lecture and you have been told to rock up to such and such, at X o’clock, in room SS2.05. Huh?
Let’s break it down:
SS stands for the name of the building, in this case it is Social Science.
2 is the level you need to be on in that building.
And .05 is the room number.
Download this First year Find it postcard and print it out - it is really useful for new people as it has all the building names on it; so you can know what BS, EH and PS all stand for.
Take a Tour
During O-week there will be campus tours leaving from the library at different times throughout the day.
