If you are a domestic student, you may be entitled to have credit from your previous tertiary study granted towards your University of Otago undergraduate qualification. Credit may be granted for study completed at Level 5 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), either in New Zealand or overseas. Regardless of the amount or type of transfer credit awarded, all the final year (e.g. 300-level) major subject requirements for a University of Otago degree must normally be taken and passed at the University of Otago.
Credit can be awarded as either specified or unspecified credit:
- Specified credit recognises prior study as equivalent to a specific Otago paper (for example, PSYC111 or BSNS115)
- Unspecified credit recognises prior study as a set number of points at a particular level and subject area (for example, 18 points of 100-level PSYC or 36 points of 200-level ARTS)
Credit transferred from other institutions does not have grades attached to it, so it does not contribute to your GPA calculation. Your Otago GPA is based only on grades achieved at the University of Otago.
This process is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
How credit is calculated
At New Zealand tertiary institutions, one point represents approximately 10 hours of work. One year of full-time study is 120 points, and a standard Bachelor's degree is 360 points.
Most Otago papers are worth 18 points. Credit from other institutions is therefore usually converted into multiples of 18 points. The total number of points completed elsewhere is divided by 18 to determine the equivalent Otago credit. Where the result is not a whole number, it is rounded up from 0.6.
For example:
- 45 points completed elsewhere = 36 Otago points (45 ÷ 18 = 2.5, rounded down)
- 105 points completed elsewhere = 108 Otago points (105 ÷ 18 = 5.8, rounded up)
Study completed overseas is converted into New Zealand points before being assessed.
Minimum requirements for an Otago degree
You are normally expected to complete at least one third of the total points for your degree at the University of Otago. All 300-level papers required for a University of Otago degree must be passed at the University of Otago.
Further information
Course advice
Admission to University Statute 2011
Credit for previous tertiary study