{"id":28840,"date":"2025-07-31T13:15:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T05:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=advice&p=28840"},"modified":"2025-07-31T14:25:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T06:25:29","slug":"use-your-work-experience-to-get-a-postgrad-degree-in-just-one-year","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/advice\/use-your-work-experience-to-get-a-postgrad-degree-in-just-one-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Use your work experience to get a postgrad degree in just one year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you heard of \u2018credit for recognised learning\u2019? If you want to gain a postgrad degree, here\u2019s how you can do it in less time\u2026 and with less cost!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No question, postgrad qualifications can help progress your career, or shift your career path entirely. In competitive career environments, employees who have a postgrad degree are clearly ahead of the game. Not only have they accumulated more expertise, but they\u2019ve also demonstrated a commitment to continued learning and upskilling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, when you\u2019re juggling work and life commitments, it\u2019s a challenge to take on another task. The good news is that \u2018credit for recognised learning\u2019 can help you gain your postgrad degree quicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is \u2018credit for recognised learning\u2019?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Credit for recognised learning<\/a> (CRL) \u2013 also known as advanced standing \u2013 is a method that Â鶹ֱ²¥ uses to give you course credits for your prior learning or your work experience. We\u2019ll give you CRL if you\u2019ve completed units in another course \u2013 in a diploma or a micro-credential, for example \u2013 that matches the knowledge and skills taught in specific postgrad units, or if you\u2019ve gained comparable expertise in your job or through other life experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the benefit of CRL?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your CRL application is approved, you won’t have to study those units in your Curtin course \u2013 which means that you\u2019ll study fewer units and take less time to gain your postgrad degree, and reduce your tuition fees! And it\u2019s also great to have the confirmation that your prior learning and acquired skills are recognised expertise that contribute to an advanced qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Abhi Singh, who is the course leader for Curtin\u2019s Master of Commerce, points out another advantage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have an undergraduate business or commerce degree, you could gain CRL for up to 25% of your Curtin Master of Commerce \u2013 which not only reduces the course duration but also fast-tracks you into specialised units. At Curtin, this also applies to international students,\u201d explains Dr Singh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf, in addition to a relevant degree, you have five years of work experience that aligns with your chosen major, you could receive even more CRL that would enable you to complete your master degree in a single year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is how it looks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CRL example: Curtin\u2019s Master of Commerce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Commerce is a great example because it\u2019s relevant to almost all economic sectors and industries, and because professionals working in business roles typically gain important skills during their work. Those acquired skills can be used to gain CRL for a Master of Commerce, an advanced qualification that can lead to rapid career advancement. The Master of Commerce is a two-year postgraduate degree, but with CRL you can gain your master degree in just 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As current Master of Commerce student YT Wan pointed out, you can even gain CRL for content you learned in your undergrad degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI received CRL, as some of the content overlapped with topics I had studied in my Bachelor of Commerce. My course duration has been shortened by one semester, and reducing my overall study load has made it easier to balance my academic work with other responsibilities,\u201d YT explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt also gave me more time to pursue internships, which has been valuable in preparing for future employment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Female
YT Wan studied a Master of Commerce to advance her knowledge in digital strategy
and broaden her international career prospects.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Â鶹ֱ²¥ Curtin\u2019s Master of Commerce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Curtin\u2019s Master of Commerce is an internationally recognised, industry-driven, future-focused program. With a choice of seven specialist majors, the program responds to the needs of business professionals to upskill quickly and have the flexibility to capitalise on market opportunities. These are the majors you can choose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n