How to Apply

Accreditation of Prior Learning

How to apply for APL

What is prior learning?

Accreditation of prior learning (APL) is an opportunity for you to be given credit for learning that you have done before you started at the University, or for learning that you are currently doing outside of the University.  It avoids the necessity of duplicating previous learning, whilst ensuring a system to demonstrate successful attainment of the learning outcomes appropriate to your award.

Only prior learning which is of an equivalent, or higher value/level to your UoG programme may be counted.  For example, you cannot be awarded APL for an 'entry level' qualification, such as a GCE 'A' Level, or an NVQ L3 award.  You should also note that you cannot be awarded credit from an award at postgraduate level to count towards an award at undergraduate level (See the Academic Regulations for Taught Provision).

Prior learning may be experiential or certificated:

Certificated Learning (APCL) is learning for which you will have received a formal qualification, for example a  Foundation Degree, Postgraduate Diploma or individual modules/course units completed at another institution.

Experiential Learning (APEL) is learning achieved outside of a formal learning environment. It may include learning gained as part of work experience, volunteer work, or as part of a training course for which you have not received any formal qualification.

In normal circumstances only qualifications and experience acquired in the last ten years will be admissible.  Certain courses may apply a different time period to reflect professional and other regulatory requirements.

Do I have to make an application for APL if I have already applied to, or been accepted to a higher level (e.g. Level 5 or 6 or an undergraduate degree programme, or the PGDip or Masters stage of postgraduate programme)?

Yes.   Unless you have applied for this accreditation, and your prior credit has been formally approved and transferred to your record, you will not have enough credit on your University of Gloucestershire programme to graduate.  APL cannot be awarded automatically simply because you have been accepted into a higher level - it must be based on an individual assessment of the equivalence of your prior learning with the learning outcomes of your chosen course, and the physical transfer of that credit to your academic record. 

NB If you are applying for entry to an Undergraduate Level 6 Top Up only programme, such as BSc Applied Sport & Exercise Studies or BA Business Management and Strategy, you should not apply for APL.  Your UoG final transcript will reflect that you have studied on a Level 6 Top up only programme and that your results should be read in conjunction with a separate transcript.

What credit can I be awarded?

You can only be awarded credit for prior learning that matches the learning outcomes of the programme that you are studying. This could be done on the basis of individual modules or for an entire level, or stage of programme.

Although you can be awarded credit, which is recorded as 'CR' on your final transcript, you will not receive a grade for any modules/levels credited under the APL policy. 

How do I prove my prior learning?

If you are seeking credit for prior certificated learning then the University will want to see evidence, normally an academic transcript or formal letter of verification, together with a description of the programme/module content.  These documents should include the following details:

• name of the institution
• validating body
• course/programme title studied
• student name
• dates of study and
• all modules to be considered as prior learning, both passed* and/or still to be completed, credit point values,  and (where appropriate) final award.

If you submit a web-based or copy document that has not been stamped or otherwise authenticated, we may ask you to present the original document at a later date or when you register at the University of Gloucestershire.  The University reserves the right to contact the prior institution to verify any details.

If your learning is experiential then you will need to produce a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes of the module and level for which you are seeking credit. This should be done through a reflective journal on any relevant work/life experiences, and should also include job descriptions and references from employers wherever possible. The University may ask you to provide more evidence to support your claim as the application is considered.  You should always keep a copy of any evidence submitted.  The University cannot be held responsible in the event of documents that are lost or damaged.

* Where the transcript indicates you have been exempt a module by the prior institution, for example because of APL, you will need to provide UoG with the original evidence on which that decision was based. 

How do I apply for APL?

Download and complete the relevant form below, and return together with any supporting evidence available to the APL Co-Ordinator apl@glos.ac.uk. (Where possible you should do this via email, but also post a signed hard copy to the APL Co-Ordinator).  If you are in any doubt about which form to download, do contact the APL Co-Ordinator to discuss (Tel: 01242 714430).

You should ensure that you make your application for APL as soon as possible, and no later than two weeks after enrolment, even if you do not have evidence of your prior learning at this stage.  Late claims for APL will only be considered in very exceptional circumstances.  It is understood that evidence may not be available at the stage of initial application; however, applicants should be particularly careful to ensure they submit final evidence in plenty of time (no later than a module assessment deadline date), as many staff must take their annual leave during the summer period and are therefore unavailable to assess claims. 

Applying to, or currently studying on an undergraduate programme, e.g. HNC/HND, Foundation Degree or Degree:

• Form    APL1 Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (Undergraduate Programme) (59Kb MS Word)
• Form   APL2 Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (Undergraduate Programme) (76Kb MS Word)

Applying to, or currently studying on a postgraduate programme, e.g. PGCert, PGDip or Masters:

• Form    APL1 Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (Postgraduate Programme) (59Kb MS Word)
• Form   APL2 Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (Postgraduate Programme) (74Kb MS Word)

If you are unable to print out any of these forms, or require a large format version, please contact the APL Co-Ordinator direct (Tel: 01242 714430).

On receipt, your application form will be checked for completion by the APL Co-Ordinator, then forwarded to the relevant Course Leader/Module Tutor for assessment.  In the case of experiential claims, you may also be referred to a Faculty APL Board Representative for advice on compiling a portfolio of evidence.

The Course Leader will make a recommendation, and this will then be passed on to representatives of the APL Board of Assessment for approval.  Complex claims may be referred to a full meeting of the APL Board.  

Will I be charged for making a claim for APL?

Information about Fees for Accredited Prior Learning may be found in Section 6 of the Tuition Fees & Bursary Policy.  Please note that you will be charged for any additional modules you are required to take as part of your University of Gloucestershire programme. For example, if you apply for APL for Level 5 of your degree programme (120 credits), but find that you have not met all the learning outcomes and are awarded only 105 credits, you will be charged a fee for the additional module that you must take to meet the requirements of the degree.  If you have any queries about fees, please contact our Finance department.

How long will it take to process my claim for APL?

This will depend on a number of factors, including:

• The amount of detail you provide on your prior learning.  The University will need sufficient detail to make an assessment of equivalence with modules taught at UoG.  If there is insufficient detail, we may need to make further enquiries, either with you, or with the institution concerned.
• The stages of approval.  On receipt of a claim for APL, the paperwork will be sent to the course leader concerned to make an assessment of equivalence and a recommendation for APL.  That recommendation will then require approval by an appropriate member of the APL Board of Assessment. (Only complex claims will need to be referred to a full meeting of the APL Board.)  The claim will be assessed as soon as possible; however, you should note that course leaders are busy people, particularly at the start of the academic year and at examinations and marking time.  The APL Co-Ordinator will contact you as soon as the recommendation has been received, and/or when your final results have been received and the credit has been formally approved.

What happens after my claim for APL has been assessed?

Following the stages of approval, you will be notified of the outcome. If the Board’s decision is not to award credit then you will be given advice which should help you judge whether to make another application.

A copy of the credit agreement (referred to as a UCT/PCT - Undergraduate/Postgraduate Credit Transfer form) will also be passed to the offices of Finance & Planning, who will make any necessary adjustments to your tuition fees.  The credit will be transferred to your student record as soon as possible.  Until you have seen confirmation that the credit has been added to your record, you should keep a note of the APL confirmation in a safe place.

How do I complain about an APL decision?

In the first instance you should contact the APL Co-Ordinator who will investigate your complaint. If this proves unsatisfactory then you may use the normal complaints procedure of the University through Academic Registry.