Are alternative credits only an American thing?

[sanantone]

I have worked in higher ed in the UK, Germany and the US. The reference to Germany is near-universal in Europe because of the Bologna process that standardized education across the EU (exception: France, who are always on their own bullsh*t). Some thoughts.

US degrees are far less specialized than the UK and the EU. If you were to study mathematics, for example, one of the first classes many students take in their first year is linear algebra, just as an illustrative example. Calculus 1,2,3 or so are high school subjects, and Algebra, Trig, Geometry are mandatory by 16 because general high school is finished at 16. I use mathematics as an example but you can extrapolate to other subjects. The point is that because of this specialization there are few electives outside of your "major", and no "gen eds". All of that must be handled before you *get* to university.

From 16-18 students in the UK do A Levels, in Germany they do Abitur, in other EU countries for university-bound students there are similar programs and the IB is, of course, multi-national. These give you gen ed and elective college credit in the US. They get you *into* university in the UK and Europe (and Australia). They are different to AP in that each qualification has multiple classes with multiple exams (and they are not multiple choice). For example, one A Level in Economics may consist of three or so classes on micro, macro, international economics etc. depending on exam board, an A Level in maths has four core papers (roughly covering Calc 1-3), and two electives from discrete maths 1,2 and stats 1,2 and mechanics 1,2. Germany's Abitur is slightly broader than A levels but no less depth. I have no idea how Germans survive to adulthood. The point is that once you are at university you only take classes in your major for three years and usually graduate with an honours degree (not the same as Latin honors, think honors college). This is less time than the US, but only because you have already done the gen ed type classes before arriving. Schools in the US that facilitate on-site dual enrollment in high school are moving along similar lines.

Since we only take courses in our major, which generally build on each other, there is not really much scope for alt credit here. There are no gen eds or electives to test out of. You can of course also transfer credits between universities though, which is made easier by the ECTS system. In terms of acceleration, however, there are formal programs to accelerate your degree in the UK. These courses run year-round including summer sessions, for example, and so you graduate in two years rather than three. In Germany and some other European countries, there is no restriction on how many classes you sit in a given year. Do you want to sign up for 10 in a semester and do two semesters' worth of work? Go for it. The real key here is there isn't typically busy work, homework, and assignments due. Just one long answer three-hour or so final exam. You could sign up for it the week before if you like even if you didn't attend the class all semester. Functionally it works similarly to taking a CLEP or UExcel.

But alt credit as Americans think of it only exists to get you into university (diplomas, certificates, access routes, degree apprenticeships etc) which allow you to start in year 2 of 3, for example. Your degree will reflect that. A google search for "top up" degrees should give you an idea. The credits don't transfer in. They are exceptions rather than replacements and are qualifications in their own right.

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If you include AP as alternative credits, there are IB and Cambridge programs.

These are what we take to get into university, however, and are not worth "credit".

Great info.

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 HW (Heriot Watt) has the option to "test out of" their Masters, such as the MBA, MSc Financial Management and so on...

The only relevant things they say on the site are: 

(1) That you schedule the exams when you feel you're ready. I guess if you feel ready, you could schedule it on Day 1 and write it about a month or two later, depending on the schedule of exams. Don't think it's done much. This is hard stuff. School is known for tough exams.
You've paid for tuition.You won't save money by skipping it and the likelihood of passing is seriously compromised.

(2) The degree CANNOT BE COMPLETED IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. They simply won't allow it. They say so.

Where do you get this "testing out" info? Nothing else on the site. This is a GRAD DEGREE at a tough, Scottish school with high standards.
It is NOT a weekend, "LOL & he-he-he, let's mosey on down and take a stab at a CLEP" adventure. No Groupon, either. Serious money at stake.

It's not exactly a test-out option. For all but three courses, an exam is the only method of assessment. 



Assessment Policies
With the exception of the two entrepreneurship courses and the project, all courses are examined by written examination. Assessment includes objective questions (where appropriate), case studies and essays. All courses are examined three times per year aligned to Heriot-Watt University's two semesters and the summer period.

The pass mark for all courses is 50%. A candidate must pass all required course units to be eligible for an award. Failing candidates are allowed a single resit in each course.

Awards with Distinction will be made to candidates completing an award with average marks of 70% and over with no examination failures. Awards with Merit will be made to candidates completing an award with average marks between 60% and 69% with no examination failures.

Assessment for H11PJ, H11EN, H11EV, H11BP is by 100% coursework. One re-assessment opportunity is permitted (coursework re-submission).