Information for applicants about Accredited Prior Learning (APL)

APCL is learning which has been recognised previously by an education provider, evidenced by formal certification, and assessed and recognised for the award of credit by the University of Hertfordshire.

You might have studied at another university and then moved house or job and want to transfer to the University of Hertfordshire. If you have studied modules that have broadly the same learning outcomes as ones on a Herts programme, then you can apply to have these credited against your degree in multiples of 15 credits.

You should contact the Admissions tutor for the programme which interests you. You will need to provide documentary details of your studies to enable the Admissions tutor to map your learning to the University of Hertfordshire module(s).

There is no charge for APCL.

APEL is learning which has been achieved through experiences outside the formal education and training systems, normally associated with a working environment, which has been assessed and recognised for the award of credit by the University. It is different from formal learning as it is often unstructured and can be more personal and individualised.

APEL applicants can develop skills, strengths and knowledge from a range of experiential learning. Learning must be at an equivalent level to that on the modules offered on our programmes and you must be able to evidence it. This is typically done by means of a portfolio.

If you feel that you can demonstrate and evidence learning of an appropriate standard and volume, you can be assessed in relation to the learning outcomes of a module or programme. You will study independently to do this, but will have the guidance of an APEL Tutor and/or Subject specialist.

You will need to identify the learning which you are claiming to have achieved and prepare a portfolio of evidence to evidence that. It is usual for this to involve some sort of reflective writing about your learning but it might involve many other forms of evidence too, even artefacts such as art work.

It's important to remember that it is the learning from experience rather than the learning itself that is assessed for credit and so you will need to be able to articulate this.

Your portfolio will be assessed by the APEL Tutor and/or Subject specialist and also seen by a Moderator and an External Reviewer.

Depending on the amount or level of credit being claimed, you may also need to attend for a Viva to discuss your learning.

The APEL Panel will then make a recommendation to a Board of Examiners who will approve the award of credit on your student record.

Normally, if a qualification or credit is more than 5 years old, it is considered out of date and may not be used towards a degree. This is certainly true in disciplines such as the health professions where knowledge develops rapidly.

It is sometimes possible to have such credit acknowledged if you can demonstrate that knowledge has been updated through work or life experience.

You should contact the Admissions tutor for the degree you're interested in.

There is a charge for APEL which will depend on the bundle of credit for which you wish to be assessed but will not be more than 50% of the standard module fee for that academic year. The APEL tutor will give you full details of the costs before you commit to the process.