Previous Qualifications
Certificates, transcripts, unit records or recognised previous study can help demonstrate prior academic learning.
Your previous learning and experience may already count.
Recognition of Prior Learning provides a structured way to consider relevant knowledge, skills, qualifications and professional experience that you have already gained.
Recognition of Prior Learning is a process for assessing relevant learning that took place before entering a programme.
That learning may have been gained through formal qualifications, workplace experience, professional development, training or other relevant activities.
RPL is based on evidence. The purpose is not simply to recognise years of experience, but to determine whether your existing knowledge and skills meet relevant learning requirements.
The RPL process connects previous learning with relevant academic requirements.
RPL evidence must be relevant, sufficient, authentic and suitable for assessment. The exact evidence required depends on the programme and learning being considered.
Certificates, transcripts, unit records or recognised previous study can help demonstrate prior academic learning.
Relevant responsibilities, projects, employment history and professional practice may provide evidence of learning.
Professional courses, workshops, structured workplace training and CPD records may be considered.
Reports, project work, presentations, plans and other relevant outputs can support an RPL portfolio.
Job descriptions, employer statements and verified workplace information may help demonstrate relevant responsibilities.
Where necessary, further evidence, discussion or assessment may be requested to confirm that learning requirements are met.
Tell us about your intended programme and the previous learning or experience you believe may be relevant.
Your background is reviewed to determine whether an RPL assessment may be appropriate.
Gather and organise documents, professional evidence and other material requested for assessment.
Evidence is reviewed against the relevant requirements and the required standard of learning.
You are informed of the assessment outcome and any remaining study or evidence requirements.
Years of experience alone do not automatically result in academic recognition.
The important question is whether your previous learning can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding required by the relevant programme or unit.
Evidence may therefore be reviewed for relevance, authenticity, currency and sufficiency before an RPL decision is made.
Where suitable and permitted, RPL can acknowledge learning already achieved.
Consider relevant previous academic study.
Consider learning gained through professional experience.
Reduce unnecessary repetition of learning already demonstrated.
Help identify the most suitable remaining study requirements.
RPL is not an automatic award based only on age, job title or length of service.
Experience is not automatically equivalent to an academic qualification.
RPL does not remove normal programme requirements unless formally recognised.
An RPL enquiry does not guarantee a successful assessment outcome.
Availability can depend on the programme and applicable academic rules.
Copies of relevant qualifications, certificates or training records.
Unit-level or subject-level results can help show what you have previously studied.
A detailed CV can provide context for your professional background and previous responsibilities.
Employer letters, service records or job descriptions may support professional experience claims.
Relevant work products, reports, project documents or other evidence may be requested where appropriate.
The exact RPL process can differ depending on the programme and evidence being assessed.
Tell us about your programme of interest, previous qualifications and professional experience so the appropriate RPL route can be considered.