ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)

Progressing the Vocational Learner

UsE yOUR PREVIOUs LEARNING AND/OR ExPERIENCE TO ENTER hIGhER EDUCATION

This guide explains how the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) works in Higher Education and how to apply for it.

It will help you to reflect on your experiences and/or learning, enabling you to progress into and through Higher Education.

INTRODUCTION

APL is an academic process that recognises and values your previous work experience and/or study.

Accrediting your previous learning and/or experience means you can use it to:

• Enter Higher Education• Count towards your course requirements.

APL is an umbrella for two types of learning:

1. Learning gained outside the classroom at home, work or in a community setting e.g. running a community group, working on a political campaign or managing a business. This can lead to Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). The key thing is that you have not taken an exam or coursework that assesses your experience or skills

2. Learning from course completion, passing an assessment and/or having a certificate. This can lead to Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL).

WhAT Is APL?

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How will it benefit you?

• Previous learning will not have to be repeated, including partly completed courses

• It takes less time to complete a course• Self-funding students save money• Workloads may be reduced.

APEL is awarded for the learning that results from the experience or skills you have gained, not the experience itself. You must demonstrate what you have learnt and prove it is at the correct level, amount and relevant to your course.

To apply for APEL you must submit an assessment (which will be matched against course requirements) such as:

• A portfolio of evidence• A written piece of work• An artefact (e.g. a computer programme).

It is easier to apply for APEL credit once you are on a course as you may need help compiling your APEL assessment. However, some courses have excellent records in assessing APEL before enrolment so enquire when you apply.

Don’t worry if this sounds daunting! APEL is being made easier all the time, so if you are interested read this guide and know what questions to ask!

hOW DOEs APEL WORK?

Your Prior Certificated Learning will be assessed by a university or college to save you repeating similar or past study (certificate evidence will be required). This is known as accreditation of prior certificated learning, credit for prior study or credit transfer.

hOW DOEs APCL WORK?

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APL sTUDENT CAsE sTUDy

I had been working as a journalist for about 5 years and felt it would be beneficial to actually get credit for some of that experience. Also, I was working whilst taking my degree so claiming APEL meant I didn’t have to attend a 10 week module.

I had to submit a portfolio including a report and press cuttings of my articles, and an audio recording of radio presenting I had done.

Putting this together was actually a learning and developmental process in itself because it required me to reflect academically upon my experience in order to talk about what I had actually learnt in terms of how the university would value it.

Turning my experience into something valuable academically was very rewarding.

Miranda Swallow, BA Journalism Studies

Most Higher Education (degree level) courses are credit based which means they are made up of smaller units or modules.

Module completion accumulates credit points towards a qualification.

Each module has credit points that reflect how much learning is required to pass. For example, at degree level a years’ full-time study is usually worth 120 points (e.g. 8 modules x 15 points per module).

Modules also have a Level to indicate how difficult or advanced the learning is. The three years of a degree are known as Levels 4, 5 and 6.

Therefore, learning has a value to determine what your previous learning is worth and how much of it can count towards your chosen course.

MEAsURING LEARNING WITh CREDIT

CR

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The university or college will make an academic judgement based on whether your previous study or learning is:

• Relevant• Sufficient • Of the correct level• Current.

If your previous study is not directly matched to modules on your chosen course it could still count towards optional modules.

hOW DOEs A UNIVERsITy OR COLLEGE DECIDE IF yOU CAN RECEIVE CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING?

Universities and colleges differ on whether they award credit for prior study or learning (credit transfer).

They also have a maximum amount which can be awarded to a course using credit transfer. Most enrol students on to the second year of a degree. However, only some offer credit transfer of smaller amounts for:

• Previous study• Part completed courses • Professional qualifications.

CR

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hOW MUCh CREDIT CAN BE AWARDED?

To receive credit for previous study, ask the university or college:

• Do you award credit for prior study for the course?• Do you award credit in small amounts (if this is relevant

to you)?• How do I proceed?• Is there a fee?

The application process differs between universities and colleges, and even courses. You will probably need to complete a further form and a certificate of your previous study may be required.

The certificate documents which modules you studied and passed, and how many credit points each is worth. Be prepared to provide your syllabus as you may be asked for course content details.

If you apply via UCAS or online, you should clarify that you are seeking credit for your previous study and include details where possible.

Speak to your tutor if you are already on a course and think you are repeating study at the same level.

hOW TO APPLy FOR CREDIT FOR PREVIOUs sTUDy OR CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APCL)

Some universities and colleges do not award credit for experiential learning. Those that do have different procedures and vary in the amount of support offered for APEL assessments.

To receive APEL credit, contact the university or college and ask:

• Do you award credit for prior experiential learning (APEL)?

• How is APEL assessed?• Is APEL assessed before starting the course or once I

have enrolled?• How do I proceed with an APEL application?• Is there a fee (it will range from free to full cost)?• Is my learning suitable to receive APEL credit towards

my chosen course?• Will I receive any support in completing an APEL

assessment?

CR

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hOW TO APPLy FOR CREDIT FOR ExPERIENTIAL LEARNING (APEL)

Previous experience and learning can be used to gain entry to the start of a course in lieu of other entry requirements. But this depends on the university, college and course.

This is more straightforward than applying for credit as part of a new course (as your previous learning may not need to be assessed in such a formal manner).

For further information contact the university or college.

APEL TO GAIN ENTRy TO ThE sTART OF A hIGhER EDUCATION COURsE

I am the first point of call for applicants and students interested in applying for credit for either previous study they have done or for learning they have done outside school, university or college.

We schedule a meeting where I find out about previous experiences and learning and if relevant discuss how to apply for credit.

There is no such thing as a typical APL student – by definition mature students are more likely to have experience or previous study than students who are 18 or 19 but that does not mean that a younger student cannot claim APL for what they have done.

Jonathan Moore, APL Co-ordinator, London Metropolitan University

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APL CO-ORDINATOR CAsE sTUDy

APL has enabled vocational learners to quickly progress into and through Higher Education. For those claiming APEL for experiential learning, the process of reflecting on their experience, in order to write about their learning, has been academically valuable.

There are many reasons for choosing a Higher Education course, university or college. There are also many different pathways into Higher Education, of which APL is one.

You need to decide the most suitable route for your learning and personal circumstances.

We hope this guide helps you make a more informed decision.

ChOOsING APL As A PAThWAy INTO hIGhER EDUCATION

ABOUT Us

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APEL FRIENDLy UNIVERsITIEs

UsEFUL ACRONyMs

The following London institutions welcome APEL enquiries:

• Birkbeck, University of London www.bbk.ac.uk

• London Metropolitan University www.londonmet.ac.uk/credit

• Middlesex University www.mdx.ac.uk

• Open University www.open.ac.uk

• South Bank University www.sbu.ac.uk

• Thames Valley University www.tvu.ac.uk

• University of East London www.uel.ac.uk

• University of Greenwich www.gre.ac.uk

• University of Westminster www.wmin.ac.uk.

APCL: Accreditation of Prior Certificated LearningAPEL: Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning APL: Accreditation of Prior Learning CATS: Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme.

Lifelong Learning Networks are HEFCE funded strategic partnerships of regional universities, colleges and other education-related organisations. We aim to develop additional activities, relationships and provision that increase the number of vocational learners progressing to and through Higher Education, and respond to employers’ higher level skills needs.

Linking London Lifelong Learning Network32 Tavistock squareLondonWC1h 9EZ

T: 020 3073 8385E: info@linkinglondon.ac.ukW: www.linkinglondon.ac.uk

south London Lifelong Learning Networkc/o Kingston UniversityMillennium house21 Eden streetKingston upon Thamessurrey KT1 1BL T: 020 8547 8795F: 020 8547 8302W: www.southlondonlpe.co.uk

south East London Lifelong Learning Network King’s College LondonRoom G37 James Clerk Maxwell Building57 Waterloo RoadLondon sE1 8WA

T: 020 7848 4541E: tracy.holtham@kcl.ac.ukW: www.sellln.org

West London Lifelong Learning NetworkWalpole house18-22 Bond streetEaling W5 5AA

T: 020 8231 2133/2316E: enquiries@westlondonlln.orgW: www.westlondonlln.org