Download the Cross Credit Application form  (Word Doc)

 If you have successfully completed a course at Open Polytechnic or another tertiary education institution that is a very close match (a minimum of 80%) with learning outcomes for a similar Open Polytechnic course, you can apply for Cross Credit. Your courses must have been successfully completed within the last ten years however some programmes have regulations that specify a different period.

If the date that you achieved your course is more than ten years ago but you have been using that knowledge recently, you should apply for RPL based on your recent demonstration of skills.

Unit standards completed more than 10 years ago will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 Contact Customer Services for a copy of the learning outcomes for the relevant Open Polytechnic course/s before you start completing your Cross Credit Application.

The Open Polytechnic maintains a Credit Recognition Schedule which has a list of courses with pre-approved cross credit arrangements. Any applications for courses listed on the Credit Recognition Schedule will move quickly through the approval process. You can check with Customer Services to see whether your application meets any of the pre-approved arrangements listed on the Credit Recognition Schedule.

If the course you wish to have cross credited is not on the Credit Recognition Schedule and your study was at another tertiary education institution, you must supply details of the learning outcomes of the course you successfully completed.

For Cross Credit application using evidence of previous study with Open Polytechnic, you do not need to provide an Academic Transcript.

For all Cross Credit applications using evidence of successful study at other institutions, you must supply an original or certified copy of your Academic Transcript with your application. All documentation supplied will be retained by Open Polytechnic. If your previous study contains unit standards, achievement standards or NC5121 New Zealand Diploma in Business courses, you only need to give us your NZQA National Student Number (NSN).

Download the Credit Transfer Application form  (Word Doc)

If you have successfully completed exactly the same course at Open Polytechnic or another tertiary education organisation, you can apply to have that credit transferred to the qualification you are enrolled into.

Download the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Application form  (Word Doc)

If you have work experience, life experience or have completed other education or training which may be relevant to your programme, you may qualify to gain credits towards a course/s using the Open Polytechnic RPL process. The charge for RPL is $15 per credit, plus NZQA reporting fees (if applicable). This is non-refundable, regardless of outcome.

Your application for RPL must include a portfolio of evidence which will show how your prior experience or learning meets each of the learning outcomes in each of the courses you wish to receive credit for. Customer Services can supply the learning outcomes for Open Polytechnic courses.

What evidence is needed for Recognition of Prior Learning applications?

It is your responsibility to provide sufficient and accurate evidence, but you can contact us for more information.

Forms of evidence for RPL

The Open Polytechnic does not award credit for work or life experience based solely on the experience itself. The credit that is awarded is based on your depth and quality of learning that is derived from that experience.

Your portfolio of evidence should include comprehensive evidence that clearly matches learning outcomes from the courses that credit is being requested for. If we cannot establish that you have met the learning outcomes from the evidence you provide, your application will not be approved.

• Examples of evidence that can be combined for your portfolio are:
• Samples of your work that reflects the learning outcome/s of the course
• Professional development - training and courses you have completed 
• Awards or certifications
• Details and evidence of relevant voluntary and community work

Up-to-date CV that reflects the skills, knowledge and attributes of the course you are hoping to achieve, but please note that this is not sufficient evidence by itself

You must include verification that this learning or work/life experience has occurred, in the form of attestation or letter of validation or confirmation from a credible and trustworthy source (cannot be from family, friends or co-workers). Examples of credible sources are:

• your previous or current employer
• community leader
• previous teacher
• local councillor
• church leader

What makes for a “good” letter or validation or confirmation?

To be of most value, the letter must be on organisational letterhead (if applicable) and be written by the person who has direct knowledge of the learning that you are claiming. It should contain:

• Your name 
• The dates of employment, or of the time person has known you
• The position you held; or the capacity in which the person knows you
• The writer’s relationship to you
• For each claim to knowledge, skill, or attribute, a statement of verification that you can, unsupervised, perform the skills to the level indicated; or that you have the attitudes for the knowledge claimed
• It will also be helpful if the writer includes comments on the quality of your performance in respect of each claim
• The letter must be signed by the writer, who should indicate the position he/she holds, or held, in relation to your claims

Show your evidence is relevant to the course

It is not enough to say that you know how to do something - you need to provide evidence of what you did and learned and show how it is relevant to the course you are seeking RPL for.  A template for this is part of the RPL application form. You must

• list each outcome of the course/s separately
• state the evidence you have which shows you meet each learning outcome
• describe clearly how this evidence meets the learning outcome.

Download the Advanced Standing Application Form  (Word Doc)

This is a pre-approved pathway to accept learners into the higher levels of study in a programme, recognising that your prior learning cannot be credited directly against specific courses in the programme.

There is no charge if you are using a qualification gained at Open Polytechnic as the basis for your Advanced Standing application.
If you are using a qualification gained at another institution as the basis for your Advanced Standing application, the application fee is $100. This is non-refundable, regardless of outcome.

For further information contact Customer Services.

Contact us

The current Advanced Standing pre-approved pathways are available for:

OP7031 Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) – New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) NZ2851 version 1 Advanced Standing Pathway

Option A NZ2851 version 1:

 Graduates of the Open Polytechnic NZ2851 New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) version 1 will be eligible for Advanced Standing of 105 credits into OP7031 Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and be exempt from: • EDU512 Tō Tātou Tiriti 1• EDU513 Teacher Research and Inquiry 1• EDU514 Learning and Development 1• EDU515 Curriculum Studies 1• EDU516 Identity, Language and Culture 1• EDU517 Inclusive Practice 1• EDU518 Professional Practice 1

Option B NZ2851 version 2:

Graduates of the Open Polytechnic NZ2851 New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) version 2 will be eligible for Advanced Standing of 120 credits at Level 5.

Option C. Other providers NZ2851 version 1 or 2:

Graduates of NZ2851 New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) version 1 or 2, from other providers will have their credit recognition applications assessed on a case-by-case basis.

OP7040 Bachelor of Library and Information Studies Advanced Standing pathway for graduates of OP5205 Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 5)

Option A

Graduates of OP5205 Diploma in Information and Library Studies who have completed 80 credits at Level 5 and 40 credits at Level 6 will be eligible for Advance Standing entry of 80 credits at Level 5 and 40 credits at Level 6 into OP7040 Bachelor of Library and Information Studies.

Applicants must complete the following courses:

• LIS503 and LIS504 (total 120 credits at Level 5)
• LIS602, LIS604, 73213 plus two Level 6 electives from Elective Group 2 (total 140 credits at Level 6)
• All Level 7 compulsory courses (total 100 credits at Level 7)

Option B

Graduates of OP5205 Diploma in Information and Library Studies who have completed 60 credits at Level 5 and 60 credits at Level 6 will be eligible for Advance Standing entry of 60 credits at Level 5 and 60 credits at Level 6 into OP7040 Bachelor of Library and Information Studies.

Applicants must complete the following courses:

• LIS503, LIS504, LIS505 (total 120 credits at Level 5)
• LIS602, LIS604, 73213 plus one Level 6 elective (not LIS606) from Elective Group 2 (total 140 credits at Level 6)
• All Level 7 compulsory courses (total 100 credits at Level 7)

OP7040 Bachelor of Library and Information Studies Advanced Standing pathway for graduates of OP5205 Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 5) andOP6208 Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 6)

Option A

Graduates of OP5205 Diploma in Information and Library Studies who have completed 80 credits at Level 5 and 40 credits at Level 6 and OP6208 Diploma in Information and Library Studies are eligible for Advanced Standing entry of 80 credits at Level 5, 120 credits at Level 6 and 40 credits at Level 7 into OP7040 Bachelor of Library and Information Studies.

Applicants must complete the following courses:

• LIS503 and LIS504 (total 120 credits at Level 5)
• 73213 plus one Level 6 Elective from Group 2, or if 73213 has been completed, two Level 6 Electives from Group 2 (total 140 credits at Level 6)
• LIS703, LIS704 and LIS705 (total 100 credits at Level 7)

If the applicant enrolled in OP6208 prior to 2013, credit recognition will be decided on a case by case basis.

Option B

Graduates of OP5205 Diploma in Information and Library Studies who have completed 60 credits at Level 5 and 60 credits at Level 6 and OP6208 Diploma in Information and Library Studies are eligible for Advanced Standing entry of 60 credits at Level 5, 120 credits at Level 6 and 40 credits at Level 7 into OP7040 Bachelor of Library and Information Studies.

Applicants must complete the following courses:

• LIS503, LIS504 and LIS505 (total 120 credits at Level 5)
• 73213, or if 73213 has been completed one Elective from Group 2 (total 140 credits at Level 6)
• LIS703, LIS704 and LIS705 (total 100 credits at Level 7)

If the applicant enrolled in OP6208 prior to 2013, credit recognition will be decided on a case by case basis.

OP7001 Bachelor of Business (unspecified major) - New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Diploma (Level 6) Advanced Standing Pathway

Applicants who have successfully completed New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Diploma (Level 6) (120 credits) will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Business (unspecified major) with advanced standing, and credited with:

• 71110 Introduction to Commercial Law
• 20 credits advanced standing at Level 5, and
• 80 credits advanced standing at Level 6

OP7001 Bachelor of Business (unspecified major) - New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies (Level 6) Advanced Standing Pathway

Applicants who have successfully completed New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies (Level 6) (120 credits) will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Business (unspecified major) with advanced standing, and credited with:

• 71110 Introduction to Commercial Law
• 20 credits advanced standing at Level 5, and
• 80 credits advanced standing at Level 6

OP7001 Bachelor of Business - New Zealand Diploma in Business Advanced Standing Pathway

Applicants who have successfully completed NC5121 New Zealand Diploma in Business (240 credits) plus two years of relevant work experience, will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Business with Advanced Standing. The amount of credit will depend on which major the applicant elects to study, and the specific courses completed in their New Zealand Diploma in Business.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Business through an Advanced Standing pathways programme, learners must complete their programme in no more than 5 years for a single major and 6 years for a double major, from first enrolment on the pathways programme, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

NZ3508 New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies (Level 6) - Law Society Advanced Standing Pathway

Pathway A:

Applicants who have certification from the New Zealand Law Society granting exemption from the course Introduction to the Legal System, will be eligible for admission to the New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies (Level 6) with advanced standing, and credited with 20 credits at Level 5, and be exempted from LES501 Introduction to the Legal System.

Pathway B:

Applicants who have certification from the New Zealand Law Society granting exemption from the course Introduction to Law Office Practice, will be eligible for admission to the New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies (Level 6) with advanced standing, and credited with 20 credits at Level 5, and be exempted from LES502 Introduction to Law Office Practice.

OP7080 Bachelor of Applied Management – NZ2459 New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (versions 1, 2 or 3) Advanced Standing Pathway

Administration and Technology, Human Resource Management, Leadership and Management, Marketing and Sales, and Project Management strands

Applicants who have successfully completed NZ2459 New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5)Administration and Technology, Human Resource Management, Leadership and Management, Marketing and Sales, and Project Management strands, qualification version 1, 2 or 3,  will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Management with advanced standing and credited with 120 credits advanced standing at Level 5.

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Management:

• 78101 Finance for Managers
• 78102 Management in Context
• 71234 Applied Management
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74347 Practicum
• Plus 100 elective credits at Level 6
• Plus 40 elective credits at Level 7

Accounting strand

Applicants who have successfully completed NZ2459 New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) Accounting strand qualification version 1, 2 or 3 will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Management with advanced standing and credited with 120 credits advanced standing at Level 5.

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Management:

• 78102 Management in Context
• 71234 Applied Management
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74347 Practicum
• Plus 20 elective credits at Level 5 (not 71135 Organisational and Personal Learning)
• Plus 100 elective credits at Level 6
• Plus 40 elective credits at Level 7

OP7080 Bachelor of Applied Management - NZIS Advanced Standing Pathway

Pathway A

Graduates from New Zealand Institute of Sport with the following qualifications:

PC3175 NZIS Diploma in Sport Management and Exercise Prescription (Level 5) (120 credits),

plus

PC3107 NZIS Diploma of Sport (Advanced Sport Management) (Level 6) (120 credits)

will be credited with 240 credits comprising:

• 71130 Organisations and Management
• 72140 Business Communication
• 78102 Management in Context
• 80 Credits (advanced standing) at Level 5, and
• 100 Credits (advanced standing) at Level 6;

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Management:

• 78101 Finance for Managers
• 71234 Applied Management
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74347 Practicum
• two Level 7 electives

No further credit recognition or transfer will be granted for any work done either at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or elsewhere.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Management through an advanced standing pathways programme, learners must complete their programme in no more than 5 years from first enrolment on the pathways programme, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Pathway B

Graduates from New Zealand Institute of Sport with the following qualifications:

New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Level 5) (120 credits) [Ref: 3627]

Plus

New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Level 6) (120 credits) [Ref: 3628]

will be credited with 200 credits comprising:

• 72140 Business Communication
• 80 Credits (advanced standing) at Level 5, and
• 100 Credits (advanced standing) at Level 6

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Management:

• 71130 Organisations and Management
• 78101 Finance for Managers
• 78102 Management in Context
• 71234 Applied Management
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74347 Practicum
• two Level 7 electives

No further credit recognition or transfer will be granted for any work done either at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or elsewhere.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Management through this Advanced Standing (NZIS) Pathway Programme, learners must complete their programme in no more than 5 years from first enrolment on the pathways programme, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Pathway C

 Graduates from New Zealand Institute of Sport with the following qualifications:

PC3175 NZIS Diploma in Sports Management and Exercise Prescription (Level 5)

Plus

New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-sector) (Level 6) [Ref: 3628]

will be credited with 200 Credits comprising:

• 72140 Business Communication
• 80 credits (advanced standing) at Level 5
• 100 credits (advanced standing) at Level 6

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Management:

• 71130 Organisations and Management
• 78101 Finance for Managers
• 78102 Management in Context
• 71234 Applied Management
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74347 Practicum
• two Level 7 electives

No further credit recognition or transfer will be granted for any work done either at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or elsewhere.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Management through this Advanced Standing (NZIS) Pathway Programme, learners must complete their programme in no more than 5 years from first enrolment on the pathways programme, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

OP7080 Bachelor of Applied Management – New Zealand Defence Force Joint Warrant Officers Advanced Course Advanced Standing Pathway

Applicants who have successfully completed the New Zealand Defence Force Joint Warrant Officers Advanced Course will be eligible for admission to OP7080 Bachelor of Applied Management, with advanced standing. Applicants will be credited with 240 credits comprising:

• 120 credits at Level 5
• 120 credits at Level 6

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Management:

• 78101 Finance for Managers
• 78102 Management in Context
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74347 Practicum
• 2 courses from the Level 7 electives

OP7006 Bachelor of Engineering Technology- Advanced Standing Pathway for graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering

Applicants who have successfully completed the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering [NZQF Ref:2612] will be eligible for Advanced Standing entry to the OP7006 Bachelor of Engineering Technology programme.

This arrangement is strand/major specific i.e. Civil/Civil, Electrical/Electrical, Mechanical/Mechanical.

OP7010 Bachelor of Applied Science (unspecified major) - NZIS Advanced Standing Pathways

Pathway A

Graduates of the following New Zealand Institute of Sport qualifications:

PC3175 NZIS Diploma in Sport Management and Exercise Prescription (Level 5) (120 credits),

Plus either

PC3107 NZIS Diploma of Sport (Advanced Sport Management) (Level 6) (120 credits)

Or

PC3106 NZIS Diploma of Sport (Exercise Prescription)

will be credited with 200 credits comprising:

• 72140 Business Communication
• 72142 Accessing Information
• 100 Credits (advanced standing) at Level 5, and
• 60 Credits (advanced standing) at Level 6

 Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science (unspecified major):

• 72160 Statistical Analysis
• 73213 Research Methods and Interpretation
• 72280 Plain English for Professional Purposes
• 72251 Intercultural Communication
• 71353 Project Management
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74342 Research Paper
• 74347 Practicum

No further credit recognition or transfer will be granted for any work done either at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or elsewhere.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science through this Advanced Standing (NZIS) Pathway Programme, learners must complete their programme in no more than 5 years from first enrolment on the pathways programme, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

 Pathway B

Graduates from New Zealand Institute of Sport with the following qualifications:

New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-sector) (Level 5) [Ref: 3627]

Plus

New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-sector) (Level 6) [Ref: 3628]

will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (unspecified major) with advanced standing and credited with 220 credits comprising:

• 72140 Business Communication
• 72142 Accessing Information
• 100 credits (advanced standing) at Level 5
• 80 credits (advanced standing) at Level 6

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Unspecified major):

• 72160 Statistical Analysis
• 73213 Research Methods and Interpretation
• 72280 Plain English for Professional Purposes
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74342 Research Paper
• 71353 Project Management
• 74347 Practicum

No further credit recognition or transfer will be granted for any work done either at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or elsewhere.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science (Unspecified major). through this Advanced Standing (NZIS) Pathway Programme, learners must complete their programme in no more than 5 years from first enrolment on the pathways programme, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Pathway C

Graduates from New Zealand Institute of Sport with the following qualifications:

PC3175 NZIS Diploma in Sports Management and Exercise Prescription (Level 5)

Plus

New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-sector) (Level 6)

will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (unspecified major) with advanced standing and credited with 200 credits comprising:

• 72140 Business Communication
• 72142 Accessing Information
• 100 credits (advanced standing) at Level 5
• 60 credits (advanced standing) at Level 6

Applicants will then be required to complete the following courses to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Unspecified major):

• 72160 Statistical Analysis
• 73213 Research Methods and Interpretation
• 72251 Intercultural Communication
• 72280 Plain English for Professional Purposes
• 71340 Strategic Management
• 74342 Research Paper
• 71353 Project Management
• 74347 Practicum

No further credit recognition or transfer will be granted for any work done either at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or elsewhere.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science (Unspecified major) through this Advanced Standing (NZIS) Pathway Programme, learners must complete their programme in no more than 5 years from first enrolment on the pathways programme, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Is there a limit to the amount of credit by Credit Transfer, Cross Credit and RPL I can apply for?

Yes. The Open Polytechnic examines applications for credit recognition on a case-by-case basis.

The more similar your previous study is to your intended Open Polytechnic programme, the more credit you are likely to get. The amount of credit you can be awarded depends on several factors such as the number of credits you previously achieved, how closely your previous study matches the Open Polytechnic courses, and the age of your previous study (currency), however you will not be able to get credit recognition for more than two thirds of your programme.  For a degree, credits at Level 7 will not be awarded through credit recognition unless specified in programme regulations.

Some programmes have Regulations that limit the amount of credit recognition. There are also some programmes which have specific Credit Recognition regulations which are only applicable to that programme, e.g. Bachelor of Social Work. For further information please talk to Customer Services.

What effect could this application have on student loans and allowances?

You cannot apply for loans and allowances against courses you have had credited under the credit recognition process. As each application for credit recognition is unique, you should check www.studylink.govt.nz to see how your application could have an effect on your loans and allowances. You can also talk to Customer Services. 

Can I appeal?

We will work with you to resolve any query you have on a credit recognition application result.  You can email registrar@openpolytechnic.ac.nz with your request.

What is a certified copy?

A certified copy of a document is one that has been signed by a person listed in the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 as being able to take declarations. This could be a Barrister or Solicitor of the High Court, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Registrar or Deputy Registrar of the Court, Member of Parliament, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), Public Trust or local authority employee designated for this purpose. If you are in a remote area and do not have access to one of these people, a school principal, minister of religion or general practitioner is acceptable.

How old can my evidence be?

Your evidence must show that your skills and knowledge are current. Open Polytechnic considers any learning done within the last ten years as current. Some programmes have specific regulations that define currency.

If the date that you achieved your course is more than ten years ago but you have been using that knowledge recently, you should apply for RPL based on your recent demonstration of skills.

Unit standards completed more than 10 years ago will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

I have a combination of cross credit and RPL. What can I do?

If you have some courses from other qualifications and think that some of your work/life experience is also relevant, you should apply on separate forms for both a Cross Credit and an RPL.

This will cost less than doing a single RPL application.