What is RPL ? | A Complete Guide to RPL

RPL stands for Recognizance of Prior Learning, an initiative where individuals may obtain formal recognition for skills and experiences acquired outside traditional educational settings. Such recognition could apply toward qualifications, certifications or credits that typically require formal study.

What is RPL ? It is an educational assessment process that recognizes and assesses an individual’s skills, knowledge, and competencies acquired through work experience, informal training or life experience rather than traditional academic pathways. RPL allows higher education institutions to recognize your existing understanding, knowledge and abilities before enrolling you into programs or modules – this way no duplicative learning takes place! Furthermore, this process eliminates duplication so you won’t need to relearn things you already understand!

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL is increasingly being implemented across many fields, from vocational and higher education, to ensure learners receive recognition and credit for their existing abilities and knowledge. Prior learning can be acquired in various ways and is best divided into three categories.

Formal learning occurs through structured programs or courses of study offered formally by education providers, leading to awards or credits being granted. It is sometimes known as certified or accredited learning. According to the principle that credit should only ever be awarded once, prior learning is usually recognized rather than certified as part of formal learning.
Non-formal learning refers to any learning activity conducted outside traditional educational systems and training frameworks, typically outside academic classrooms and without leading to formal certifications or assessments. Such activities could take place in workplace settings, voluntary sectors or communities.
Informal learning encompasses any form of education gained through experience-based activities in work, social life, family life, hobbies or leisure (for instance, gaining interpersonal skills from years spent as a sales representative).

RPL allows learners to build upon what they’ve learned and be rewarded accordingly, for instance, with access to a course or exemption/credit on specific modules in a programme.

Key Aspects of RPL:

Assessment of Skills: RPL evaluates the abilities and knowledge acquired through non-formal channels such as on-the-job training, volunteerism or personal projects.
Formal Accreditation: Successfully demonstrating one or more competencies can result in formal qualifications or credits that allow individuals to recognize their abilities without going through traditional classroom learning methods.
Lifelong Learning: Lifelong Learning: RPL advocates lifelong learning by acknowledging that education can occur outside traditional educational institutions while remaining just as impactful and important.
Accessibility: RPL can be especially advantageous to individuals with limited access to formal education and training, enabling them to use their experiences for career advancement or further studies.
Process: Typically, RPL involves providing evidence of prior learning, participating in an assessment (which could involve interviews, portfolio reviews or practical demonstrations), and receiving feedback about its outcome.

RPL is used in various sectors – vocational and higher education – to ensure learners receive recognition and credit for existing knowledge and abilities.

By applying RPL, you can gain recognition from higher education institutions for prior learning from work, life, and the community, which can serve as a pathway into and through higher education. RPL itself can be seen as an educational process as it involves reflecting upon past experiences and documenting what you’ve learnt – then having relevant learning assessed against a standard to ensure it can be acknowledged by an institution for recognition by applicants for:

Credit towards an award (qualification) or exemptions from some programme modules
Advanced entry to a programme

Entry to a programme

Higher education institutions may use RPL to award total academic awards; whether this option is available depends on each institution.

RPL can be advantageous to learners, higher education institutions and employers alike. By making visible the valuable skills and learning experiences people have acquired through work or life experiences, RPL can boost self-esteem and well-being for all involved parties. RPL is an essential aspect of lifelong learning and widening participation for higher education institutions, making programmes more accessible to learners who do not meet minimum entrance requirements but possess relevant prior informal or non-formal learning experiences. An acceleration program can speed a learner’s progress through their course by offering advanced entry or exemption. Studies in higher education demonstrate how RPL significantly benefits an institution’s relationships with industry partners by creating customized learning solutions suited specifically to employee skill sets and organizational requirements.

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Application Process

The application process typically consists of five stages. They include:

Information: Here, applicants can learn what RPL opportunities exist at higher education institutions and how the process works.
Identification: Applicants are advised to reflect upon their experiences and learning to date in preparation for filing an RPL application.
Documentation: Applicants undertake a reflective process and gather necessary materials, such as CVs and job descriptions, to support their application.
Assessment: Once submitted, an application will be reviewed by a staff member from the higher education institution and assessed using various techniques such as portfolios, interviews, essays or examinations.
Certification: Once accomplished, learners will be awarded formal recognition or accreditation, which could result in:

Credit toward a certification or exemptions from a portion of the curriculum
Advanced entry to a programme
Entry to a programme

RPL may also be utilized to obtain full academic awards at some higher education institutions; the specifics of each institution’s policy will determine this.

Applications for RPLs are evaluated based on a number of factors, including program entrance requirements and module learning objectives. When making their RPL applications, applicants will typically provide evidence proving they have met these outcomes or in the case of program entry requirements demonstrating they are sufficiently prepared for that course of study. Quality assurance standards apply similarly in this respect across all of an institution’s programs.

Suppose an application is denied (e.g. not granted an exemption or accepted into a program/course of study via RPL). In that case, all available options and support will be discussed with them, including accessing any existing appeals procedures, which will also be made known to them.