How to Apply

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Application Forms  and How to Apply

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.

Prior learning may be experiential or certificated:

Certificated Learning (APCL) is learning for which you will have received a formal qualification, for example a Certificate or Diploma of HE, an HND, a Foundation Degree, 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 apply for APL if I have already been accepted onto Level II / Level III?

If you are applying for direct entry to Undergraduate Levels II or III, you must also apply for Accreditation of your Prior Learning at Levels I or II.  For example, this is required if you took an HNC, HND or Foundation Degree at another institution.   Unless you have applied for this accreditation, and your application has been approved by the APL Board of Assessment, you will not have enough credit on your University of Gloucestershire programme to graduate.  So, if you have entered at Level III, and your academic record lists only results/credit against Level III modules, the Board of Examiners will not be able to approve the award of a Degree.    APL cannot be awarded automatically simply because you have been accepted onto Level II or Level III - it must be based on an individual assessment of the equivalence of your prior learning with the learning outcomes of your chosen course.

NB If you are applying for entry to an Undergraduate Level III Top Up only programme, such as BSc Applied Sport & Exercise Studies or BA Business Management and Strategy, you should not apply for APL.  These courses do not include a Level I or II and therefore credit for prior learning cannot be transferred to a UoG record.  Your UoG final transcript will reflect that you have studied on a Level III 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, you will not normally receive a grade for modules/levels credited under the APL policy.  There are some exceptions: for example, if you are ‘topping up’ from a sub-degree to a full degree of the same name, where both courses are taught at the University of Gloucestershire.

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 copy document that has not been stamped or otherwise authenticated, we reserve the right to contact the prior institution to verify details; or we may ask you to present the original document when you register at the University of Gloucestershire.

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 or level for which you are seeking credit. This might be done through job descriptions, references from employers, or a reflective journal on a particular life experience. The University may ask you to provide more evidence to support your claim as the application is considered.

* Where a module has been accepted for APL by a prior institution, you will need to provide UoG with the original evidence for a decision to be made. 

How do I apply for APL?

Download and complete the relevant form below, and return together with supporting evidence 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, Academic Registry, Broadlands B15, Park Campus, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH.  If you are in any doubt about which form to download, see the section What is Prior Learning? above for an explanation of the difference between certificated and experiential learning, or contact the APL Co-Ordinator to discuss.

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 Module Tutor/Course Leader 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 - dates are published here.  

New applicants and students intending to graduate at the end of the academic year (July / September), should be particularly careful to ensure they submit evidence in plenty of time.  It should be noted that during the summer period many staff must take their annual leave and are therefore unavailable to assess claims. 

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 1 of your degree programme (120 credits), but find that you have not met all the learning outcomes and are awarded only 108 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 feedback will I get?

Following the stages of approval, you will be notified of the outcome, and a copy of the credit agreement will be posted to you. 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 - Undergraduate Credit Transfer form, or PCT - 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 the credit agreement 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.

Further Information: University of Gloucestershire APL Policy

The University has a formal APL Policy (96Kb MS Word) . Hard copies of this document can be obtained from the APL Co-Ordinator, Academic Registry, Park Campus, Cheltenham, University of Gloucestershire, GL50 2RH.