Credit recognition in New Zealand universities: Practice in an international context

This paper, Credit recognition in New Zealand universities: Practice in an international context is a desk-based literature review and analysis.

The purpose of this analysis was to explore the nature and extent of the recognition of formal and informal learning by New Zealand universities, placing current efforts within an international context and identifying existing good practice and international guidelines and case studies to assist with further development in this area.

The review was undertaken in August and September 2016 drawing on literature and meta-analysis of credit recognition frameworks and various accounts of the extent of transfer and credit recognition, including: university websites and other estimates provided to UNZ of current rates of credit recognition; meta-analysis of credit recognition rates; other accounts of international estimates of the extent of transfer and credit recognition; international examples and good practice guidelines on transfer and credit recognition; international research on the impact of national frameworks and credit policy developments.

It was prepared to inform discussions within Universities New Zealand and was subsequently shared with and referenced by the Productivity Commission as a part of their inquiry into New Models of Tertiary Education.

The conclusions reached are the author’s alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Universities New Zealand, individual universities or Vice-Chancellors.

Suggested citation: Kirkwood, H. (2016). Credit recognition in New Zealand universities: Practice in an institutional context. Universities New Zealand, Wellington.