Alternative study tracks

Do you wish to request exemptions or follow a shortened track? Starting in distance learning or via a SWITCH study track? Want to study via a credit- or exam contract or start in February? In all these cases, you should contact the Study Track Manager of the study programme. Once you've registered, you can find an overview of the Study Track Managers per study programme on the student portal. Please note that you first need to meet the admission requirements before you can apply for exemptions.

Exemption procedures

Some study programmes offer shortened tracks or exemptions to students who have already obtained a (bachelor's) degree or several credits. In certain cases, practical experience can also be converted into exemptions.

Converting acquired credits and diplomas into exemptions (PAQ procedure)

As a student, you can use previously received study certificates to obtain exemptions in the study programme you want to start.

Step 1: context

'Previously Acquired Qualifications' are credit certificates, certificates, or all national or international study certificates that indicate that a formal learning track was completed. Secondary education subjects do not qualify as PAQ. An exemption request must be submitted no later than 15 calendar days after the start of the semester. Did you enrol later? Then submit your request no later than 15 days after enrolment.

You can submit this application via the Digital Administration Office, which you can access after enrolment. Careful: do you want to follow a shortened track after obtaining a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree? Then you automatically receive an exemption package based on your diploma. You can also submit an additional exemption request.

Step 2: a preliminary examination

Specific study programmes have exemption precedents (based on identical requests from the past). You can find this list in the section 'Tailor-made study tracks' on every programme page. To apply for exemptions, consult the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System credits) sheet of the programme you want to enrol in. At the bottom of some programme pages, you can find a direct link to the ECTS sheet of the programme.

Step 3: preparation

Take all supporting documents from your preliminary examination (link to ECTS sheets of the previously acquired credit certificate, digital copy of a diploma, table of contents of a once-followed course, course materials, etc.) to substantiate your request. You cannot apply for an exemption without at least one supporting document. When sharing the ECTS sheet or course material, you must always refer to the sheet or study material from the academic year when you took the subject.

You can see your previously acquired Flemish credit certificates in the exemption module. You may get proposals for possible exemptions if someone has already applied for a similar exemption before you.

So you do not have to request any Flemish credit certificates from the institution where you have acquired them.

Careful: Some acquired credits might not have been passed on to the Higher Education Database (HED) by the institution at which you received your credits. This may take several days/weeks upon obtaining your report card. You can already submit your PAC file, but it can only be approved after the credits have been provided to the HED.

Step 4: application + process

All applications occur entirely digitally via the exemption module in the Digital Administration Office. Have any questions? Then you can always contact the Study Track Manager of the programme you want to follow. After your application, the Study Track Manager will evaluate this. Within 30 work days after your application, you will be informed whether or not your exemption application(s) have been approved. As long as you were not informed that your application was approved, you are expected to participate in the classes of the subject you requested an exemption for.

Converting practical experience into exemptions (PAC procedure)

Because of a particular real-life experience, you often know at least as much about a specific subject as the students who studied an entire syllabus about that. The relevant non-school knowledge or ‘Previously Acquired Competences’ can be accredited in Flemish higher education. To do so, you must start a procedure to prove your 'previously acquired competencies (PAC)'.

Any questions about exemptions? Curious about your options? Contact the Study Track Manager of your department.

• International Business Management: studyprogrammeIBM@arteveldehs.be
• International Communication Management: info.icm@arteveldehs.be
• International Graphic and Digital Media: info.igm@arteveldehs.be
• International Journalism: info.ijo@arteveldehs.be
• International Organisation and Management: studyprogrammeIOM@arteveldehs.be