Credit for everyone after study

THE Open Learning Institute's first batch of 151 students were able to graduate in little over half the time originally estimated due the institute's unique credit transfer system.

The system, known as the Advanced Standing Policy, allows students to transfer credits obtained in previous study elsewhere to their OLI course.

For example, a student who has a diploma in computing may use it to speed up study time on another degree.

This recognition of studies elsewhere means students may graduate from an OLI programme in much faster time than usual.

The credit transfer system is based on the way OLI students obtain their degrees - by accumulating a certain number of credits.

Each course is worth a particular number of credits and as students pass, the credits are added together until they graduate.