ANU Law School Credit Guidelines

Students who have undertaken previous study relevant to their current academic program can apply to have course credit or an exemption assessed based on prior learning. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the transfer of credit towards your program from another institution where the courses passed are deemed equivalent to those offered at ANU. Recognition of prior learning means your previous studies are recognised and counted towards your degree as credit.

Credit will not be approved for relevant work experience at the ANU Law School. Credit is not awarded for non-formal or informal learning at the Law School.

Further information including relevant definitions and links to ANU policies and procedures is available on the credit page. University rules, policy and procedure relating to the granting credit is set out in the Coursework Awards Rule, Policy: Recognition of prior and external learning and Procedure: Credit and exemptions.

Credit for Prior ANU study

Credit may be granted for prior study undertaken at the Australian National University (ANU), including coursework from completed ANU awards. In some circumstances, the Law School permits the transfer of credit from a previously completed ANU programs, such as the Graduate Certificate of Law, into a subsequent postgraduate award, such as the Master of Laws.

The ANU Law School permits students to receive credit for any number of relevant courses previously completed as part of a cognate ANU award, subject to program requirements and approval by the delegated authority.

Specifically, for the Master of Laws (LLM), credit is limited to a maximum of 12 units for cognate (non-law) courses completed within ANU, and up to 24 units for law-specific courses. This ensures that law courses carry appropriate weight toward the LLM, while recognising related fields of study as cognate.

For example, students who have completed a Graduate Certificate of Law or Graduate Certificate of New Technologies Law and later enrol in the Master of Laws may have those courses credited in full toward the new program, provided the courses are deemed equivalent and meet current program rules.

This credit will only be granted where the courses are deemed equivalent by the delegated authority and provided that no more than the maximum allowable credit (normally 24 units for the LLM) is applied. This arrangement reflects the relationship between specific programs within the College and is limited to approved nested programs.

Students should note that the same credit cannot be used toward multiple standalone awards, unless formally approved as part of an approved nested program structure. Such credit arrangements are only permitted where the programs are academically aligned and the application meets all other credit conditions, including limits based on AQF level and time since completion. In addition, double counting of units from one course across multiple awards is not permitted unless approved as part of a designated credit pathway.

Credit for Non-ANU study

The amount of credit for law courses completed at other institutions, whether in Australia or overseas, will be determined by the delegated authority based on information provided by the applicant and any other relevant sources. The quantum of credit awarded will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level of the program of prior study.

Credit for external institutions is limited to a maximum of 24 units of law courses only. Credit will not be granted for non-law or cognate discipline courses from external institutions, due to quality assurance and curriculum alignment limitations. Credit will not be granted for more than half of the program’s required units (i.e., 24 units), including cross-institutional study.

The AQF is the Commonwealth’s regulatory regime for accrediting educational programs. In the context of Law School programs, the AQF Framework covers AQF Level 8 programs (LLB(Hons) degrees, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas) and AQF Level 9 programs (JD and Masters’ degrees). Specific rules relating to AQF Levels in the ANU context are set out in the University’s Policy on Academic Programs and Courses Accreditation.

Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Decisions in relation to credit are made by the LLB Program Director of the ANU Law School. Credit will only be considered for courses completed within ten years before the first day of the first session that follows acceptance of the offer to the program. These limitations apply to both law and non-law courses.

To obtain an ANU Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB(Hons)) degree as a student transferring from another institution, at least 16 of the law courses with grades (0-100%) required for the degree (or 96 units of law courses) must be completed at the ANU. Transferring students whose prior program of study was at AQF Level 8 (LLB(Hons) level) may receive credit/status for up to 48 units of study (eight courses). Students transferring into the LLB(Hons) program from an AQF Level 7 LLB (as opposed to an LLB(Hons)) at another institution are subject to more specific requirements; credit can be given for up to eight compulsory law courses or for up to seven compulsory and one elective completed at AQF Level 7 (for a total, in either case, of 48 units of study). This limit is not negotiable as it reflects the AQF mandated degree requirements for a Level 8 program.

When making decisions in relation to credit, the delegate will only grant credit for courses that are assessed as comparable to Law School courses by reference to course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour (including compatibility with the embedded research skills taught and assessed in ANU law courses), volume of learning and other relevant measures. A relevant measure in relation to the ANU LLB(Hons) program is that law electives that a student completes must have sufficient emphasis on research to meet AQF Level 8 requirements. To meet this requirement, at least 50% of the final mark for the course must be apportioned to independent research tasks.

To receive credit for ANU compulsory law courses, only courses delivered by another Australian University will be considered as the courses must be delivered in English and meet the admission to practice requirements. For elective courses, the delegate will generally only approve credit if the course is comparable and delivered in English. In exceptional circumstances, elective courses delivered in a language other than English may be approved provided the course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour and volume of learning are comparable, and a class summary/course outline is provided in English to the delegate. Any translation costs must be borne by the applicant.

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Students should submit all required supporting documentation at the time of application. Once all required documents are received, decisions will normally be communicated within 20 working days.

Juris Doctor

Decisions in relation to credit are made by the Delegated Authority of the ANU Law School. Credit will only be considered for courses completed within ten years before the first day of the first session that follows acceptance of the offer to the program.

A student who enrols in the ANU Juris Doctor (JD) degree after transferring from another institution may be eligible for credit/status for the law courses they have undertaken at the other institution. However, an ANU JD can only be awarded if at least 12 JD courses (or 72 units of study) are completed at the ANU.

When making decisions in relation to credit, the delegate will only grant credit for courses that are assessed as comparable to the Law School course by reference to course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour, volume of learning and other relevant measures. A relevant measure in relation to the JD program is the requirement that no more than 25% of courses making up a Level 9 program can originate in Level 7 or Level 8 programs. Accordingly, no more than four courses (24 units) In total taken at LLB or LLB(Hons) level can be credited to a JD program, including a maximum of 4 courses (24 units) of LAWS 4000 level.

Where a student was enrolled in a combined program of law and another discipline, whether at ANU or at another institution, no credit will be given for any law courses that were included in (or counted towards) the completion of the award of the other discipline. A student may not repeat in the JD program a course which is substantially similar to that of a subject passed for the award of another degree or diploma.

Where a course is a compulsory part of the ANU JD program, an exemption (which does not carry credit or reduce the total program unit requirements) will normally be granted. Students must complete an alternative elective in place of the exempted course to meet the program unit requirements.

To receive credit for ANU compulsory law courses, only courses delivered by another Australian University will be considered as the courses must be delivered in English and meet the admission to practice requirements. For elective courses, the delegate will generally only approve credit if the course is comparable and delivered in English. In exceptional circumstances, elective courses delivered in a language other than English may be approved provided the course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour and volume of learning are comparable, and a class summary/course outline is provided in English to the delegate. Any translation costs must be borne by the applicant.

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Students should submit all required supporting documentation at the time of application. Once all required documents are received, decisions will normally be communicated within 20 working days.

Master of Laws

Decisions in relation to credit and exemption are made by the delegated authority of the ANU Law School. Where credit is granted, the duration of the program may be adjusted accordingly.

Credit and exemption are only granted for graduate level courses deemed equivalent by the delegate and will only be granted for courses completed within ten years before the first day of the first session that follows acceptance of the offer to the program.

Credit is limited to a maximum of 12 units for cognate (non-law) courses completed within ANU, and up to 24 units for law-specific courses. This ensures that law courses carry appropriate weight toward the LLM, while recognising related fields of study as cognate.

Credit for external institutions is limited to a maximum of 24 units of law courses only. Credit will not be granted for non-law or cognate discipline courses from external institutions. Additionally, credit will not be granted for more than half of the program’s required units (i.e., 24 units), including cross-institutional study.

Credit will not be granted for internships or work experience.

Applicants who have completed an Australian undergraduate law degree or Juris Doctor from common law countries/regions listed below are exempted from Law and Legal Institutions (LAWS8586) and are required to complete an additional 6 units from the course list.

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Ireland
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Canada

For the purposes of admission, ‘cognate’ is to be defined as any of the following: Accounting, Business And Management, Sales And Marketing, Tourism, Office Studies, Banking, Finance And Related Fields, Management And Commerce, Political Science And Policy Studies, Studies In Human Society, Human Welfare Studies And Services, Behavioural Science, Law, Justice And Law Enforcement, Librarianship, Information Management And Curatorial Studies, Language And Literature, Philosophy And Religious Studies, Economics And Econometrics, Sport And Recreation, Society And Culture.

Please note, the delegate will generally only approve credit if the course is comparable and delivered in English. In exceptional circumstances, elective courses delivered in a language other than English may be approved provided the course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour and volume of learning are comparable, and a class summary/course outline is provided in English to the delegate. Any translation costs must be borne by the applicant.

Apply now

Students should submit all required supporting documentation at the time of application. Once all required documents are received, decisions will normally be communicated within 20 working days.

Graduate Certificate of Law

Decisions in relation to credit and exemption are made by the delegated authority of the ANU Law School. Where credit is granted, the duration of the program may be adjusted accordingly.

Credit is only granted for graduate level law courses deemed equivalent by the delegate and will only be granted for courses completed within ten years before the first day of the first session that follows acceptance of the offer to the program. Credit will not be granted for more than half of the program’s required units (i.e. 12 units), including cross institutional study. Credit will not be granted for internships or work experience.

Applicants who have completed an Australian undergraduate law degree or Juris Doctor from common law countries/regions listed below are exempted from Law and Legal Institutions (LAWS8586) and are required to complete an additional 6 units from the course list.

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Ireland
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Canada

Please note, the delegate will generally only approve credit if the course is comparable and delivered in English. In exceptional circumstances, elective courses delivered in a language other than English may be approved provided the course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour and volume of learning are comparable, and a class summary/course outline is provided in English to the delegate. Any translation costs must be borne by the applicant.

Apply now

Students should submit all required supporting documentation at the time of application. Once all required documents are received, decisions will normally be communicated within 20 working days.

Master of International Law and Diplomacy

Decisions in relation to credit are made by the Law School for the Law component and the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs for the Diplomacy component. Where credit is granted, the duration of the program may be adjusted accordingly.

Credit will only be considered for courses completed within seven years before the first day of the first session that follows acceptance of the offer to the program. These limitations apply to both law and non-law courses. A student who enrols in the ANU Master of International Law and Diplomacy after transferring from another institution may be eligible for credit/status for the courses they have undertaken at the other institution.

Students are automatically assessed for credit upon application to the Master of International Law and Diplomacy program so there is no need to submit a separate credit application unless directed to. Applications and enquiries for credit towards the Law component should be directed to enquiries.clgp@anu.edu.au and enquiries for credit towards the Diplomacy component should be directed to bell.postgrad@anu.edu.au

Applicants who have completed an Australian undergraduate law degree or Juris Doctor from common law countries/regions listed below are exempted from Law and Legal Institutions (LAWS8586) and are required to complete an additional 6 units from the course list.

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Ireland
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Canada

Please note, for law credit, the delegate will generally only approve credit if the course is comparable and delivered in English. In exceptional circumstances, elective courses delivered in a language other than English may be approved provided the course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour and volume of learning are comparable, and a class summary/course outline is provided in English to the delegate. Any translation costs must be borne by the applicant.

Apply now

Students should submit all required supporting documentation at the time of application. Once all required documents are received, decisions will normally be communicated within 20 working days.

Master of Financial Management and Law

Decisions in relation to credit are made by the Law School for the Law component and the ANU College of Business and Economics for the Financial Management component. Where credit is granted, the duration of the program may be adjusted accordingly.

Credit will only be considered for courses completed within seven years before the first day of the first session that follows acceptance of the offer to the program. These limitations apply to both law and non-law courses. A student who enrols in the ANU Master of Financial Management and Law after transferring from another institution may be eligible for credit/status for the courses they have undertaken at the other institution.

Applicants who have completed an Australian undergraduate law degree or Juris Doctor from common law countries/regions listed below are exempted from Law and Legal Institutions (LAWS8586) and are required to complete an additional 6 units from the course list.

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Ireland
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Canada

Please note, for law credit, the delegate will generally only approve credit if the course is comparable and delivered in English. In exceptional circumstances, elective courses delivered in a language other than English may be approved provided the course content, mode of delivery, assessment rigour and volume of learning are comparable, and a class summary/course outline is provided in English to the delegate. Any translation costs must be borne by the applicant.

Apply now

Students should submit all required supporting documentation at the time of application. Once all required documents are received, decisions will normally be communicated within 20 working days.

Appeals and Credit Cancellation

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your credit application, you may request a review by the appropriate Delegated Authority within the Law School within 20 working days of notification.

Where a student seeks to cancel previously approved credit for academic reasons (e.g. to complete additional elective courses), a formal request must be submitted to the Education Director (Law) with justification. Requests will be assessed within 20 working days.

Approved credit will appear on your transcript as “Specified Credit” or “Unspecified Credit”, depending on the nature of the learning. Internal credit is recorded with the notation STI/EXI; external credit is recorded as STE/EXE.

All enquiries should be made to enquiries.clgp@anu.edu.au