Shorter Form Credentials

Shorter Form Credentials (SFCs) are rapidly becoming business as usual in the higher education landscape. At UQ, they underpin our commitment to flexible learning opportunities, life-long learning and meeting our students’ changing education needs and future demands for credentialed learning.

SFCs were introduced through a Student Strategy initiative to provide a 'One-UQ' approach including a policy and procedure, a student administration system through SI-net, a marketing and branding framework, and platforms for delivery and support for both academic and professional staff. SFCs are not new to UQ, but changes in technology and demand mean that we need to deliver them in a more holistic and strategic way.

What are Shorter Form Credentials?

An SFC is a distinct unit of study with academically assessed learning outcomes, generally offered outside an award program, and usually completed in a short time frame (i.e. months rather than years). SFCs may be structured as a single module or as a suite of combined modules resulting in a larger credential.

SFCs may be designed for upskilling, recognition of prior learning, entry pathways, and/or to provide students with a point of differentiation. They are transferrable, recognised globally, and flexible in that they can be taken outside our standard timetable.

In an age where upskilling/reskilling will be necessary in order to take on jobs that don’t yet exist, SFCs will be essential.

If you are a staff member looking at proposing and delivering a new SFC, access resources for staff (UQ login required).