5 Exemptions and recognition

The University recognizes the prior learning achievements of its students by the award of advanced standing credits. Such credits, where applicable, will be counted towards the total number of credits required for a University award.

Advanced standing credits are awarded for previous qualifications obtained from a recognized tertiary institution and completed by coursework. For applications to be made towards a postgraduate diploma programme, or a Master's Degree programme, the qualification held by a claimant must at least be a postgraduate certificate or a postgraduate diploma, or be a higher degree at least at the Master's Degree level. Postgraduate Diploma in Education or equivalent qualifications, however, may only be used to apply for advanced standing towards the university undergraduate programmes and Postgraduate Diplomas in Education. Advanced standing credits can be applied to the majority of Master's Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas programmes, with the exception specified in the 'Academic Rules and Regulations' (see 'Regulations Governing the Grant of Advanced Standing' 6.2).

Qualifications which satisfy the entry requirements of a particular programme cannot be used for advanced standing under that respective programme.

▌Types of credit transfer

Specific Credit Transfer (SCT)
Specific credits are used for the exemption of a particular course which forms part of the set of required courses for a University award. Specific credits can be applied to Postgraduate-level courses.
Block Credit Transfer (BCT)
Block credits are counted towards the total number of credits required for a University award. Awardees must complete the remaining courses required for the award by following a list of 'top-up' courses to be prescribed by the University. The top-up courses for completion of a University programme are specified in accordance with an applicant's previous study programme and courses, therefore an award of block credits does not imply an automatic reduction by the same amount in the number of credits required for the completion of the University programme. Applicants should refer to the prescribed top-up list for the number of credits and courses to complete for the programme.

Specific credits and block credits cannot be used together. A successful applicant may be awarded advanced standing credits up to a maximum limit determined by the University in accordance with his/her previous studies. This maximum is also subject to the maximum advanced standing allowed in each OUHK programme.

▌Regulations and procedures

The academic regulations governing the grant of advanced standing are available on the University website. The Guide to Application for Advanced Standing and the Advanced Standing Application Form (Form A-AP) contain comprehensive information about the scheme, and its impact on an applicant's course choices. Every applicant is requested to consult the Guide before submitting an application. An applicant has to indicate which prior qualifications are to be used in the application and the type of credit transfer applied for.

A student may apply for advanced standing any time after he/she has become a registered student of this University. However, since the award of advanced standing may affect one's course choices, students are advised to submit an application as soon as possible. Furthermore, please note that only the advanced standing credits awarded before February, June or September of any year will be counted for graduation purposes in April, August or November of that year respectively.

Persons who have not registered with the University may also apply under the Extended Scheme.

Advanced standing applications will be processed by the University after all the required documentation and syllabus information is received. Each application is subject to approval by the Advanced Standing Committee (or its delegated authority) upon recommendation by the respective academic unit.

A non-refundable claim fee (which varies in accordance with the type of credit transfer applied for) is charged for each application, irrespective of the application result.

▌Information on precedents

Information on the entitlement for advanced standing of each individual qualification and precedents of BCT applications are available at the following webpage:

http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/aso/eng

The information on precedents may be updated from time to time. Students are advised to consult the most current information before submitting an application.

▌Entry Pathways and Advanced Standing

The University has set up entry pathways for some Master's Degree programmes. The programme credit requirements in most pathway programmes are reduced; in other words, students are given an exemption without the need to go through the advanced standing process if being admitted via these pathways. However, students must satisfy the entry requirements specified for admission to the pathway programmes. Holders of relevant qualifications are advised to apply for admission via these pathways if they satisfy the entry requirements.

Should you require further information or wish to obtain the Application Guide and application forms for advanced standing, please contact the Advanced Standing & Records Office. For details please see Section 13.

█ Recognition by professional bodies █

Our OUHK programmes are recognized by a number of professional institutions, and a range of exemptions have been granted to our graduates. The information provided here is for reference only. It is the student's responsibility to confirm the exemptions and recognition with the relevant professional institutions. Students of business programmes can also refer to http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/bacollaboration/eng for further details.

▌(i) Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)*

Graduates of the Master of Corporate Governance (MCGF) and Master of Business Administration (MBAF) programmes may claim exemptions of up to a maximum of five and seven papers respectively of the ACCA examinations.

For mapping of OUHK courses to be exempted for ACCA examination papers, please refer to the ACCA website.

* In order to apply for corresponding paper exemptions, students must have completed the programme and have passed their courses at the OUHK. The exact number of exemptions depends on which corresponding OUHK courses students have passed before completion of the programme at OUHK.

▌(ii) Association of International Accountants (AIA)

Graduates of MBAF and MCGF programmes may claim exemption of the AIA Professional Examinations for up to a maximum of seven papers (out of sixteen papers) on the basis of the completion of corresponding OUHK courses.

For details of exemptions, please refer to the AIA website.

▌(iii) Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Graduates of MBAF may claim exemption of the CIMA Professional Examinations for up to a maximum of five papers on the basis of the completion of corresponding OUHK courses.

For details of exemptions, please refer to the CIMA website.

▌(iv) CPA Australia

The CPA Program examinations of CPA Australia are integrated into the Master of Accountancy programme (MACF). Students of MACF will become Associate Members of CPA Australia. They will be prepared to sit for the CPA Program examinations within the MACF. Graduates of MACF may obtain a CPA (Aust.) designation after meeting the practical experience requirement.

For details, please refer to the CPA Australia website.

▌(v) Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS)
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)

Holders of the MCGF programme are eligible for full exemption from the International Qualifying Scheme (IQS) of the ICSA and HKICS. If students intend to apply for full exemption after the completion of the MCGF programme, they must register for student membership with HKICS within three months after they have enrolled in the MCGF programme, and must complete the MCGF programme within 1.5 years for face-to-face full time mode and 3 years for face-to-face part time mode.

In addition, students must maintain their studentship with HKICS during their course of study (with a minimum period of two years) for their applications for full exemptions in order to become a Graduate of HKICS. Students awarded advanced standing credits by the University towards the MCGF programme may not be eligible to receive full exemption from the IQS. It is always the students' responsibility to confirm with the HKICS that they are eligible for full exemption after the completion of the MCGF programme.

Please refer to the HKICS website for information on the latest registration and exemption policy.

▌(vi) Social Workers Registration Board

The Master of Social Sciences in Autism Spectrum Disorder programme is now recognized by the Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) as a Continuing Professional Development Course/Activity (CPD). Students who successfully complete the programme can earn up to 500 CPD points.

▌(vii) The Hong Kong Statistical Society

The Hong Kong Statistical Society has granted accreditation to students of the Mathematics and Statistics Programmes of the School of Science and Technology to obtain the Society's Graduate Diploma, Higher Certificate, and Ordinary Certificate. Details are given below.

Ordinary Certificate:

Students are given accreditation for the Ordinary Certificate if they achieve a pass at grade 3/C+ or above in STAT S242 Statistics in Society and MATH S280 Statistical Methods for Decision Analysis.

Higher Certificate:

Students are given accreditation for the Higher Certificate if they fulfil either one of the following requirements:

(a) Obtain a grade 3/C+ or above in STAT S242 Statistics in Society, MATH S280 Statistical Methods for Decision Analysis, MATH S346 Linear Statistical Modelling and MATH S350 Applied Probability Models for Decision Making.

(b) Obtain accreditation for the Hong Kong Statistical Society Ordinary Certificate, and also obtain a grade 3/C+ or above in MATH S346 Linear Statistical Modelling and MATH S350 Applied Probability Models for Decision Making.

Entire Graduate Diploma

Students are given accreditation for the entire Graduate Diploma if they have passed at grade 3/C+ or above in all six of the following courses: STAT S242 Statistics in Society, MATH S280 Statistical Methods for Decision Analysis, MATH S249 Practical Modern Statistics, MATH S346 Linear Statistical Modelling, MATH S350 Applied Probability Models for Decision Making, STAT S347 Mathematical Statistics.

Individual modules of the Graduate Diploma

Students are given accreditation for individual modules of the Graduate Diploma if they have passed at grade 3/C+ or above in the following:

(a) MATH S280 + MATH S350 accreditation for Module 1 of the Graduate Diploma.

(b) MATH S249 + MATH S350 accreditation for Module 3 of the Graduate Diploma.

(d) Individuals who have obtained accreditation for Modules 1, 3 and 4 of the Hong Kong Statistical Society Graduate Diploma and passed STAT S347 at grade C+ or above will fulfill the accreditation requirement of the entire Graduate Diploma.

Remark 1: Students who have obtained accreditation for the entire Graduate Diploma are deemed to have fulfilled the requirements of Graduate Statistician membership of the Hong Kong Statistical Society.

Remark 2: Among discontinued courses, successful completion of MATH S242 is considered as completion of STAT S242; completion of MATH S245/MATH S246/MATH S248 is considered as completion of MATH S280; completion of MATH S343 is considered as completion of MATH S350; and completion of MATH S345 is considered as completion of MATH S346.

▌(viii) The Law Society of Hong Kong

The Law Society of Hong Kong has accredited the MA in Legal Translation (MALT) programme as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. A lawyer who completes any course under the MALT programme can claim CPD points provided that s/he:

(a) complies with the course attendance requirement;

(b) attends lectures and/or tutorials totalling in duration not less than the number of hours of CPD points being claimed; and

Modified Date: Jun 18, 2020