Handbook

UNSW Students may be granted Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) which may or may not reduce the amount of learning required to achieve a degree at UNSW. Generally, RPL is only granted based on the completion of tertiary-level studies, but in exceptional circumstances may also include non-formal or informal learning such as professional experience. RPL will not be granted based on partly completed tertiary courses. All applications for RPL at UNSW are subject to UNSW Recognition of Prior Learning (Coursework Programs) Policy and Procedures. Students seeking credit for courses completed at another university are required to submit documentary evidence (course outlines, academic transcripts) to support their application, and to nominate the course(s) for which they seek credit. In addition, the following conditions apply for all UNSW Science programs (including the Science component of dual award programs): Specified course credit, i.e. credit granted for an exact or near exact equivalence to a course at UNSW, will not be granted when more than 7 years has elapsed from the successful completion of the course (or other learning) and the student’s commencement in the Science program. Where this time period is shorter it will be stipulated in the individual rules for the relevant program. Unspecified course credit (e.g. General Education or free electives) will not be granted when more than 10 years has elapsed from the successful completion of the course (or other learning) and the student’s commencement in the Science program. Students may only receive credit of up to a maximum of 50% of the coursework component of their Science program, excluding Honours. For most undergraduate programs this will be 72 UOC. For dual award programs that include a Science component, it will be a maximum of 50% of the Science component of the dual degree, excluding Honours. Credit for the other program will be assessed by the Faculty that administers that program. Applications for RPL will only be assessed for students who have accepted a place to study in a UNSW Science program. Students must formally apply for RPL unless they become a UNSW student as part of a formal Articulation Agreement. Applications for RPL should be made as early as possible in the student’s program. Students who are readmitted into a Science program after a period of unapproved absence or deferment, or after exclusion, will not necessarily retain credit for all units completed at UNSW prior to the absence if the date of completion of the units of study is greater than the 7 and 10-year rules outlined in points 1 and 2 above. In these cases, the credit retained will be decided by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) in consultation (when necessary) with the Program and/or Course Authority.

Progression to stages 2,3 and 4 is subject to satisfactory progress. Students who do not meet a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 at the end of stage 2 will be required to transfer to program 3970 Bachelor of Science. Students who are otherwise deemed ineligible to proceed on exchange will also be required to transfer to program 3970 Bachelor of Science.

Overseas Exchange

Students must complete an international exchange of 24-48 units of credit (one or two semesters) at an approved UNSW overseas partner university. Click for a list of partner universities. The exchange is governed by the following rules:

To proceed on exchange students must have achieved satisfactory academic progress in their first and second years of study, typically with no more than one fail on their transcript, and must fulfil the requirements of the University's exchange program.

Students must complete 120 units of credit before they can go on exchange, i.e. the exchange program is completed in Year 3 semester 2, and Year 4 semester 1.

A Faculty of Science Travel Bursary will be available for students who undertake the international exchange as part of this program. This bursary will represent a small contribution from the Faculty towards the cost of undertaking the exchange. Students can only apply for the Scholarship once and scholarship applications must be submitted prior to the commencement of the UNSW Exchange program. Applications submitted upon completion of the exchange program will not be accepted.

Students must apply to go on exchange through the Study Abroad and Exchange Office, 9 months in advanced of their intended exchange. Click for details on how to apply for Student Exchange.

There are no restrictions on a student's selection of courses while on exchange, however, students should be enrolled full-time and all courses taken must count towards meeting the degree requirements such that the degree can be completed in the minimum time. Students should note that it can sometimes be difficult finding exact matches to core courses for a major at foreign universities, and it may be easier to take elective courses ('Science' electives Free Electives or Directed Electives) while on exchange. Therefore students should plan their enrolment over the four years of the Bachelor of Science (International) degree accordingly.Students who do not satisfy the criteria for exchange will normally be required to transfer to another program for which they are eligible, for example the Bachelor of Science (program 3970).

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Positions in global scientific organisations and companies, international government and non-government agencies, scientific research.