System articulation and transfer linkages: a strategic response to increasing demands for higher education provision in an era of fiscal constraints

While credit transfer in itself may not be a new concept, what is new is the growing awareness of the strategic implications of system articulation and transfer linkages. Recent higher education policy objectives of governments in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom all specifically advocate the removal of barriers to student access and mobility.

The driving issues here are the conservation of educational resources, equity of access and a maximal return for the individual student's investment in his or her education. Where courses in tertiary education are not completed in the minimum of time (consistent with the maintenance of appropriate standards), there is a waste of student time, endeavour and money and of human and physical educational resources.

Articulation agreements and other system linkages serve the interests of both education funders and providers by rationalising and conserving the use of scarce resources, and minimising resource wastage. To increase output in relation to input is to make the tertiary system more efficient. Transfer momentum has been accelerating rapidly and national initiatives are well under way or imminent in all three countries.

While credit transfer in itself may not be a new concept, what is new is the growing awareness of the strategic implications of system articulation and transfer linkages. Recent higher education policy objectives of governments in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom all specifically advocate the removal of barriers to student access and mobility.

The driving issues here are the conservation of educational resources, equity of access and a maximal return for the individual student's investment in his or her education. Where courses in tertiary education are not ...  [+] Show more