Recognition of Prior Learning Procedure

Purpose and Scope

1. The procedure describes the process for submission and consideration of requests for recognition of prior learning. The process requires educators to apply their academic judgement in verifying that a significant portion of learning has been achieved.
2. The procedure applies in the context of the Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes and the Admissions Policy.
3. The personal data of applicants is processed for the purposes of considering their admission in accordance with the Data Protection Code of Practice and Student Privacy Notice.
4. The procedure applies to applicants pursuing recognition of prior learning for taught programmes.
5. The procedure does not apply to arrangements relating to collaborative provision, including direct entry arrangements.
6. The procedure does not apply if study has commenced at the University of Leeds. If study has commenced, students should liaise with their School about an individual programme variation request to permit the study of alternative modules due to prior learning.

Definitions

7. The accreditation of prior learning is the recognition of previously assessed and certified learning through an education provider, in adherence with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).
8. The accreditation of prior certificated learning is the assignment of credit for learning, such as professional development or employment-based awards, that has been prescribed and recognised by an authorised organisation but has not resulted in the award of credit or been formally positioned within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).
9. The accreditation of prior experiential learning is the evaluation of and, where appropriate recognition of, learning acquired outside formal education or training for academic purposes.
10. Advanced standing refers to the recognition of learning which fulfils requirements of a programme. This is normally through credit transfer.
11. Credit transfer enables credits to be imported to meet the requirements of the new programme (i.e. credit transfer reduces the total number of credits a student must complete because the imported credits directly contribute to the credit requirement for the award). Imported credit fulfils credit requirements for the award but does not normally contribute to the calculation of the classification average. Imported credit will contribute to the calculation of the classification average for former students of the University of Leeds where applicable.
12. Credit exemption enables exemption from specific modules of a programme due to recognised prior learning or experience. Exempted credit does not fulfil credit requirements for the award and must normally be replaced with alternative credit.

Principles

13. Prior learning will normally have been awarded or undertaken within the previous 5 years.
14. Prior learning recognised for credit transfer or credit exemption must have been awarded by a recognised higher education institution.
15. The maximum allowance of credit to be recognised for credit transfer or credit exemption will normally be one third of the total minimum credits for the programme (e.g. 120 credits for a 360-credit degree programme). The only exception to the maximum allowance is intercalated programmes in the medical curriculum or an otherwise specifically planned and approved route.
16. The minimum requirement of credit to be undertaken at the University of Leeds for an ICQ to be awarded, if prior learning has been recognised for credit transfer or credit exemption, will normally be one half of the total minimum credits for the programme (e.g. 120 credits for a 240-credit degree programme).

Request for Recognition of Prior Learning

17. Applicants interested in recognition of prior learning, including advanced entry, will contact the Admissions Team for their programme for further guidance, using the contact details listed on Course Search.
18. The Admissions Teams will provide guidance and support to applicants interested in recognition of prior learning. Guidance and support will include information on acceptable evidence, the volume of material required, proof of authenticity and applicable professional body requirements.
19. The Admissions Team will review requests with the Admissions Tutor.

Consideration of Requests

20. Parent schools are responsible for determining the process for considering requests for recognition of prior learning. Parent schools may identify an educator to act as an Assessor to consider requests or may establish a panel of Assessors to consider requests. Assessors (e.g. Admissions Tutor, Programme Leader, Panel of Assessors) are responsible for determining the recommendations for requests.
21. In determining the recommendations for requests, the learning outcomes for the specified programme, the implications for progression, and the following criteria will be considered.
    1. Validity: Is there an appropriate match between the evidence presented and the learning being demonstrated?
    2. Authenticity: Is the evidence clearly related to the applicant's own efforts and achievements?
    3. Currency: Does the evidence relate to current learning (i.e. no more than 5 years old)? For learning achieved more than 5 years ago applicants should demonstrate how they remained current and built upon their existing knowledge. Where higher education providers and/or professional, statutory or regulatory bodies have specific requirements and/or time limits for the currency of evidence, certification or demonstration of learning these should be made clear and transparent.
    4. Reliability and Relevance: Is the evidence reliable and relevant to the learning being assessed?
22. Modules delivering the final year project of an undergraduate programme, final year research (capstone) project of a FHEQ level 7 programme, or the qualifying examinations for registrable awards are not appropriate for credit transfer or credit exemption.

Recommendations for Requests

23. The recommendations for requests will be considered by the relevant School Taught Student Education Committee or its Chair for decision.

Outcomes of Requests

24. Parent schools will inform the Admissions Team of the outcome.
25. The Admissions Team will inform applicants of the outcome of requests for recognition of prior learning and any action required by the applicant.
26. The Admissions Operations Team will update the relevant Banner record.

Complaints about Outcomes

27. Applicants who are not satisfied with the outcome of their application may contact the relevant Head of School within 20 working days with detail of the nature of their complaint. The relevant Head of School or nominee will review the decision and inform the applicant of the outcome of their review within 20 working days.
28. Applicants who remain dissatisfied with the outcome of their requests and the further review may submit a complaint to the Head of Student Cases within 20 working days of the decision of the relevant Head of School. The Head of Student Cases or nominee will review the request process and will not review the academic judgement involved in the process. The Head of Student Cases or nominee will provide a response within 20 working days from receipt of the complaint. The response will represent the University's final decision on the request.

This procedure supersedes the Accreditation of Prior Learning Policy. This is version 1.0 of this procedure which is owned by the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Team. Please contact [email protected] for any matters related to this procedure. Guidance for staff from the Admissions Service is available on the staff intranet.