| Our AP(E)L Concept
Principles of AP(E)L
AP(E)L stands for Accredited Prior Experiential Learning. The University is committed to policies and procedures which will encourage the participation of all sectors of the community in higher education.
Within this context, the University is intent on adopting policies which recognise and give value to any prior learning of students, regardless of the context in which learning has taken place (in the workplace, domestic settings, voluntary activity or from ‘life’ generally).
Such learning may contribute towards the achievement of credits for approved awards or qualifications. Claims can be made for assessed learning or for experiential learning which has not been assessed.
In addition, credits can also be given for modules studied in other colleges or universities as part of certificates, diplomas or degrees. For example, if an applicant has already got a Law Degree, it is likely that they would be exempt from the level one module entitled 'Introduction to Law'. This is simply a question of transferring credits and there is no cost involved.
Claims can be made for credits for any level of an award. However, credits can only be given for whole modules.
Procedures
Students must register for an award before any consideration can be given to a claim for AP(E)L.
Students considering a claim for AP(E)L should closely study the indicative content and learning outcomes for any module. Only if students consider that their prior learning has covered all or most of the content and learning outcomes of any module should a claim be made.
Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
For claims of accredited prior experiential learning, students should provide the following evidence:-
the institution which has assessed the learning (university, college, professional body, training organisation).
their achievements (certificates, letters of recognition, transcripts) including a clear statement about the level of the award/qualification/course/module.
a cross referencing of the claim for accredited prior experiential learning against the module content and learning outcomes.
learning from the workplace, voluntary activity etc (reports, letters, case records or other relevant documentation) and contextualising commentary. Students should observe the requirements of anonymity and confidentiality by erasing all evidence of clients’ identity, residence or location. Advice is available on how to put together a portfolio of evidence.
learning from life (detailed personal statements that try to encapsulate learning).
The Alternative Assessment Option
One additional possibility for those who believe they have the necessary knowledge and skills already in relation to any module is that they may need to complete the essay/assignment without having access to the module materials.
We call this the alternative assessment option and if students pass the assessment then they will be given the credits. This will normally be done before the module runs in order to give students the opportunity to take the module if they fail the alternative assessment.
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