The School is committed to recognising prior learning (RPL) and professional experience (RPE) by assessing relevant skills and knowledge for academic credit. This policy ensures that applicants can gain recognition for their previous educational and professional achievements, promoting fair and inclusive access to our programmes while upholding rigorous academic standards.
This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:
Applicants can seek Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Experience (RPE) for the following purposes:
This ensures that applicants can leverage their previous knowledge and experience to fulfil entry conditions, avoid redundant modules, or earn credits, streamlining their academic journey.
The School website and other information will provide clear guidance on applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Experience (RPE). This includes:
Programme fees and charges will be set on a pro rata basis by the Finance Team.
This ensures that prospective applicants have comprehensive and transparent information about the RPL and RPE process, including requirements, timelines, and costs, facilitating a smooth and informed application experience.
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Experience (RPE) can be submitted based on:
Learning (RPL): Completed education or courses at another higher education provider, supported by formal documentation such as certificates. This documentation must include the institution’s name, the applicant’s name, details of the study (title and content), dates, and any credits awarded. Failed programmes or modules are not considered, and credits from one Master's award cannot be used for another.
Experience (RPE): Informal learning from relevant work or life experiences not covered by RPL.
This ensures that RPL and RPE applications are supported by verifiable and relevant documentation or experience, while excluding failed courses and inappropriate credit transfers, thereby maintaining academic integrity and relevance.
Applicants may apply for RPL and RPE only for the School's qualifications under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). RPL and RPE cannot be used for short courses.
This ensures that RPL and RPE are applied consistently and appropriately within the School’s recognised qualification framework, excluding short courses.
Students can apply for RPL and RPE for exemption only from core modules. RPL and RPE cannot be claimed for optional modules.
This policy ensures that RPL and RPE are used to address essential module requirements, maintaining the integrity of the programme structure.
No credit can be awarded through RPL or RPE for final projects in undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes.
This rule maintains the rigorous standards and integrity of final projects, ensuring they reflect the full scope of a student's learning and capabilities within the programme.
The School does not define a specific period for the currency of prior learning and experience.
The programme leader exercises academic judgement based on School standards, PRSB requirements, and evolving knowledge, recognising that skills and knowledge should be current and can change over time.
To qualify for an award from the School, the maximum number of credits that can be used under RPL and RPE are:
Award
Maximum Number of Credits Permitted by Way of RPL and RPE
Minimum Number of Credits that Must be Successfully Achieved at School
Taught masters’ degrees e.g. MSc
90
90 credits at Level 7
Postgraduate diplomas
60
60 credits at Level 7
Postgraduate certificates
30
30 credits at Level 7
Bachelors’ degrees with honours e.g. BSc Hons
240
120 credits (60 at Level 5 and 60 at Level 6)
Bachelors’ degrees
200
100 credits (40 at Level 5 and 60 at Level 6)
Graduate diplomas
40
40 credits (40 at Level 6)
Graduate certificates
20
20 credits (20 at Level 6)
Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE)
160
80 credits (20 at level 4 and 60 at Level 5)
Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE)
60 credits (60 at Level 4)
To qualify for an award from the School, the credit limits are set to ensure standards and integrity of qualifications.
RPL and RPE credits must be ratified by the Module Examination Boards.
These credits count towards the requisite number for a qualification but do not affect the final award classification, except when based on credits previously earned at the School, which are included in the overall marks algorithm.
Upon receiving an RPL or RPE application notification from the AGS, the Admissions Team will review the application and supporting documents for completeness. They may request further information from the applicant via the AGS if necessary. Applications for module exemptions or credit awards will be referred to the relevant programme leader for decision. The Admissions Team will decide on RPL and RPE applications related to entry criteria. All actions and notifications will be recorded in the AGS.
This process ensures thorough review and accurate decision-making for RPL and RPE applications. By involving programme leaders for module exemptions and recording all actions, the procedure maintains clarity and consistency in admissions.
Any decision by a programme leader to admit an applicant based on RPL and RPE for module exemption or credit awards must be approved by the Director of Education and an external assessor. If either disagrees with the programme leader's decision, they may overturn it. The Director of Education's decision is final.
This ensures that decisions are reviewed by multiple parties to maintain fairness and uphold academic standards. The final authority of the Director of Education guarantees consistency and adherence to institutional policies.
Acceptance based on RPL or RPE is not guaranteed and is subject to judgement. Once a final decision is made, it will be recorded in the AGS, and the applicant will be notified. They will be informed on how to request feedback and may follow the usual admissions appeal and complaints process as outlined in the Admissions Policy.
This ensures transparency and clarity about the decision-making process while providing a structured way for applicants to seek feedback or challenge decisions.
All RPL and RPE applications must be processed through the AGS.
This allows the School to collect essential data, such as claim numbers, success rates, processing times, and student satisfaction ratings. This data supports strategic planning, continuous improvement, and meets regulatory reporting requirements.
The Admissions Team will annually monitor RPL and RPE data.
This ensures the assessment process is fair and effective, the policy is consistently applied, and satisfaction rates remain high.
The Director of Education will provide appropriate development opportunities for all staff involved in RPL and RPE operations.
This ensures that staff advising on, administering, or assessing RPL and RPE claims are well-equipped and knowledgeable in their roles.
Applicants not meeting entry criteria can submit other relevant evidence of prior learning and experience under this route.
This allows them to prove their suitability for the programme. An administration fee, detailed on the School's website, covers the assessment costs.
RPL and RPE for entry criteria only determine if an applicant meets general entry requirements.
No academic credit is awarded from processing these claims.
Applicants must submit evidence for RPL or RPE to satisfy entry requirements.
Evidence must include statements linking prior learning/experience to entry requirements, certificates, transcripts, and other supporting documents like portfolios or references.
The Admissions Team will assess RPL and RPE applications against entry criteria.
They will review all submitted evidence, which may include interviews, tests, or portfolios. Rigorous standards apply, with academic judgement on equivalence. The Programme Leader or Director of Education may be consulted. Decisions are recorded in the AGS.
RPL and RPE assessment decisions for entry do not need to be reported to Programme or Module Examination Boards or external examiners.
No credit is awarded; the application only concerns programme admission.
RPL or RPE applications for module exemption must be submitted with the admission application. An administration fee, specified on the School website, applies.
Admissions decisions may depend on module exemption outcomes and should be deferred until these decisions are made.
Students may only apply for RPL and RPE exemptions for core modules. Exemptions for optional modules or final project modules are not allowed.
Optional modules broaden the student's knowledge and skills, while final project modules are essential for assessing overall competence.
RPL and RPE can only be granted for entire modules. Partial module credits are not awarded.
RPL and RPE are applied to complete modules, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive assessment of the student's prior learning.
The module leader assesses RPL and RPE applications for core module exemptions. Evidence must show the applicant meets all module learning outcomes. Interviews, portfolio reviews, and references may be used. If granted, full credit is awarded, and the student is exempt from the module and its assessment. The decision is recorded on the AGS.
The module leader ensures that RPL and RPE evidence confirms that the applicant meets all module requirements, maintaining academic standards.
The module leader must assess RPL and RPE applications using the same rigorous standards as for summative assessments and consider the overall programme context too. The prior learning or experience claimed must be equivalent to the module's learning outcomes and standards.
Applying consistent standards ensures that RPL and RPE meet the same academic criteria as in-module learning, maintaining the integrity and quality of the programme.
A decision by the module leader to admit an applicant based on RPL or RPE must be approved by the Director of Education and an external assessor. If they disagree with the decision, they may overturn it. The Director of Education’s decision is final.
This ensures that admissions decisions are reviewed and validated by multiple authorities to maintain fairness and consistency.
RPL and RPE decisions that involve credit awards or transfers must be reported to the External Examiner by the module leader after summative assessments, and to the Module and Programme Examination Boards by the respective leaders. External examiners should have access to relevant assessments and documentation and be aware of the RPL and RPE criteria, but are not required to moderate these claims. All decisions must be ratified by the Module and Programme Examination Boards. RPL and RPE credits cannot be included in the overall marks algorithm, which means final marks and classifications will be based on fewer credits unless the RPL or RPE is based on previous credits earned at the School.
This process ensures transparency and consistency in RPL and RPE credit decisions, maintains the integrity of assessment standards, and confirms that all credits used for final classifications are appropriately validated.
Applicants may request credits towards a School programme based on equivalent credits earned from another School programme or an accredited higher education institution. Exemptions can only be requested for core modules, not optional or final project modules, on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. An administration fee for this assessment will be listed on the School website.
This rule ensures that credit claims are relevant to the programme's core modules, maintaining the integrity of academic standards while providing clear information on associated costs.
Applications for RPL will be reviewed by the relevant module leader. Applicants must provide evidence showing:
RPL can only be granted for full core modules, not parts or final project modules. The module leader should apply the same rigorous standards as for summative assessments. They may request additional evidence, such as interviews or portfolio reviews. If granted, students will be exempt from the corresponding core module and its assessment. All decisions will be recorded in the AGS.
This rule ensures that only relevant and rigorous RPL applications are approved, maintaining academic standards while providing clarity on the assessment process and documentation requirements.
RPL applications will be accepted through credit transfer without further assessment if the evidence shows that the credits were awarded by:
For European qualifications, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) may apply. All decisions will be recorded in the AGS.
This rule streamlines the RPL process by accepting credits from recognised institutions and using established systems like ECTS, ensuring consistency and reducing unnecessary assessments.
Decisions by a programme leader to admit an applicant using RPL must be approved by the Director of Education and an external assessor. They can overturn the decision if they disagree, but the Director of Education’s decision is final.
This ensures that RPL admissions are reviewed at multiple levels for fairness and consistency, with the Director of Education having the final say.
RPL decisions involving credit awards must be reported by the module leader to the External Examiner and the Module and Programme Examination Boards. External examiners will have access to relevant assessments and documentation but will not moderate RPL claims. All decisions must be ratified by the Examination Boards. RPL credits cannot be used in the overall marks algorithm, affecting the final classification. However, RPL based on previous credits earned at the School will be included in the marks algorithm.
This ensures transparency and consistency in RPL credit awards, with necessary oversight by External Examiners and Examination Boards. It maintains fairness in the final classification process, while recognising previous School credits appropriately.
The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.