AIS offer credits for prior studies to new students.

Credit Recognition for Prior Studies

AIS offers credit recognition for relevant prior studies completed at New Zealand and overseas institutions, enabling new students to “top-up” their qualifications.

Recognition of formal learning can take the form of cross-credits and/or advanced standing credit, or if you have skills and knowledge gained through non-formal learning, as recognition of prior learning.

There is no provision for credit recognition in graduate diploma programmes, or for pre-BA or pre-IT studies.

Apply Now

Cross-Credits

You may apply to credit courses which have been completed at other institutions towards your current programme.  Application fees apply except where a formal cross-credit transfer (articulation) agreement is in place with a local or international partner institution. Further information is available from Student Services.

A cross-credit (CC) application will only be considered for credit towards a programme in which you are currently enrolled and must be submitted within four weeks of that programme's official start date.  Where an articulation agreement is in place, and for all New Zealand institutions, attach a copy of your official transcript only.  When applying for credit from all other institutions, you must supply detailed, authorised course outlines and results records, as well as information about the qualification and the awarding institution.

The CC application form is available on the AIS Learning Management System (Moodle) and from reception.  After completing the form, attach all supporting documentation and discuss with your head of programme, then submit the form and attachments to the Accounts Department with payment where necessary.

A formal assessment of your application will then be made based on level, credit value and content mapping with AIS courses.  After your application has been approved by the Board of Studies, you will be notified of the result by email.

Cross-Credit Limitations

Normally the number of cross-credits available is subject to the following limitations:

Where an approved articulation agreement exists, this limit may be increased to:

If you are awarded CCs towards a qualification and then transfer to a lower-level qualification (for instance, from a bachelor’s degree to a Level 5 diploma), you will only be able to utilise the CCs applicable to the lower-level qualification.

Note that these arrangements are for students being admitted to AIS for the first time.  Existing AIS students seeking to study a course at another institution with the intention of seeking a future CC must seek prior approval from their head of programme.  Failure to do so may result in the CC application being rejected.

Advanced Standing Credit

If you are entering a bachelor’s degree programme and have completed a relevant New Zealand certificate or diploma programme at Levels 5 to 6, you may be entitled to receive advanced standing credit (ASC) for up to 240 credits.  An entitlement for ASC will be identified when you apply to enter AIS.  No application or fees apply.  ASC must be approved by the Board of Studies before being shown on your academic transcript.  Further information is available from Student Services.

Note that if you have an incomplete Level 5 or 6 qualification relevant to your degree programme, or have completed extra relevant courses, you may apply to have these courses cross-credited as above.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have skills and knowledge acquired outside of a formal learning situation that you believe match the outcomes of a course in your programme of study, you may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).  Application fees apply.  The RPL application form is available on the AIS Learning Management System (Moodle) and from reception, and should be discussed with your head of programme before submission.  Evidence of the acquired skills and knowledge must accompany your application, and an assessment undertaken by an academic member of staff may be required.