VU partners with UAC on innovative academic credit project

Victoria University will be the first institution in Australia to offer a streamlined process to assess whether applicants’ prior learning is eligible for academic credit through an innovative new credit management system.

Later this year, VU will roll out the UAC Advance credit management system, developed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), to integrate VU higher education admissions, student management, and enquiry tools.

This means VU will lead the way in how tertiary institutions assess and award academic credit.

Report highlights need for better credit management

Credit management is one of the top admissions-related problems experienced by universities, according to a UAC-commissioned report by NOUS group, A credit management solution for the tertiary education sector.

It found that about one-third of Australian tertiary study applicants seek academic credit, also known as advanced standing, at some point in their student journey, either before admission or once enrolled. Reasons to do this include reducing a need to repeat already completed learning, or when moving from one institution to another.

However, assessing credit applications is commonly plagued by inconsistency of decision-making, poor integration, and limited tracking and reporting, costing the higher education sector about $36 million a year, according to the NOUS report.

Improved efficiency benefits students & staff

UAC Advance is a key stepping stone towards fully automated, instant credit assessments for applicants through high levels of automation, searchable databases of credit transfer for all Australian universities, and verification of prior learning direct from the source.

It ensures consistent results with an efficiency far greater than manual credit assessment.

Victoria University’s Interim Executive Director (Students) James Armit said VU was tremendously excited to be partnering with UAC on the project. 

“Our shared focus on technical innovation and user experience design will reduce the burden on students when applying for academic credit, decrease staff workload, and help our staff manage precedents more efficiently.”

UAC Managing Director Dr David Christie said UAC was pleased to work with VU on improving the academic credit landscape, since both partners share a history of innovation.

“In an era where so many of our tertiary institutions are focused on cutting costs, it is commendable that Victoria University is investing in the future.”