Accreditation of prior learning
Definition, Goal and Methods
Definition: The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL, fin. AHOT) refers to the practices that enable competence acquired by students in various circumstances (education institutions, worklife, hobbies) to be recognised and accredited as part of their studies and degrees, either as compulsory studies or elective studies. The prior learning must fulfil the competence requirements of the curriculum.
Goal: The goal of the recognition of prior learning is to promote the progress of studies and to enable students to take an individual study path.
Methods: the accreditation can be done either by substitution or inclusion.
- Substitution refers to the substitution of studies included in a curriculum with learning or previous studies that has a similar content.
- Inclusion refers to the inclusion of prior learning or studies as part of a degree.
Partial recognition (pedagogical solution): Prior learning can be recognised either in full or in part. Partial recognition means that the student must supplement his or her competence in the manner determined by the degree programme. This procedure is called the pedagogical solution.
In the pedagogical solution the final evaluation and the credits are added to the student's register when the student has supplemented the competence in the manner determined by the degree programme. These manners can be for example participating in an exam or submitting a report, an interview, an essay, a learning diary, a portfolio or carrying out a practical skills demonstration.
General principles
Students' prior learning is recognised regardless of how, where and when they have acquired it.
- Place of Performance: Prior learning can be recognised on the basis of competence acquired in official education and in other ways (e.g. through work or leisure activities).
- The Time of the Performance: the performance time does not matter if the competence meets the competence goals of the curriculum. The general expiry period of studies is ten years.
Students are responsible for demonstrating, proving and providing adequate information on their competence. Students must provide proof of their competence so that it can be evaluated. In addition to official documents, students may be required to provide proof of their competence with a certificate of employment, other documents, records or works etc. If necessary, students may be requested to supplement their demonstration with a report, an interview, an essay, a learning diary, a portfolio, a practical skills demonstration or a test.
Credit transfer is carried out only on the basis of the original documents. The accreditation is not awarded on the basis of the previous recognition.
A numeric grade will be assessed whenever possible. The original evaluation is transferred if the learning substitutes studies in the Metropolia curriculum.
The student can apply for the RPL throughout his/her studies.
All language and communications studies required for higher education degrees can be recognised through RPL in the same manner as with other studies.
Thesis completed in another university degree cannot be recognized fully, but the degree programme can make a decision of a partial recognition as a pedagogical solution. The thesis for a Master's degree may be partially accredited for a specific reason. The extent to which a thesis can be recognized is agreed in the degree programme on a case-by-case basis.
The maturity test cannot be accredited.
Credit transfer for courses completed during an international student exchange period is carried out through eRPL. When a Learning/Training Agreement is prepared carefully and studies are completed in accordance with the agreement, the credits for the courses are fully transferred to the degree.
All studies completed outside of Metropolia will be handled through the eRPL service (following the normal RPL procedures).
- Procedure regarding completing studies outside Metropolia: Before enrolling to studies that are completed in another institution, the student has a guidance discussion with the study guidance personnel and makes an agreement regarding the completion of the studies.
- The eRPL application is accompanied by an attachment containing a link to the selected study in My Studyinfo service. For more detailed instructions on the attachment, see the eRPL instructions for the student (wiki2, requires Metropolia login).
The study guidance regarding RPL
The degree programmes are responsible for acquainting the students with the competence goals of the curriculum, informing the students about the RPL process and procedures in the degree programme as well as guiding students in recognising their learning and submitting the application in the eRPL service.
More details about the subject can be found in the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences degree regulations.
Guidelines for applying for the recognition of prior learning (RPL) for students
- Acquaint yourself with the content of your curriculum, study modules and courses. Evaluate your competence in relation to the learning objectives of the curriculum and your own career planning goals.
- Discuss about your prior learning and competence with the guidance personnel of your degree programme before submitting the application. Please note that when preparing the application, you must be able to choose whether the accreditation is a substitution or an inclusion.
- Follow the timetable and additional guidelines of your degree programme.
- Read more thorough instructions concerning submitting the application (wiki2).
- Fill the RPL application in the eRPL service (Student's Desktop: My studies).
- Prepare to attach all necessary copies of certificates and other documents related to your application.
- Enter the name of the person mentioned in your degree programme's guidelines as the person in charge of processing the application.
- You will receive a notification by e-mail telling you whether your application has been accepted, partially rejected or rejected, or whether a demonstration of competence has been recommended. Follow the instructions in the e-mail.
- Accepted decisions are recorded in the course register.
Appeals
If you are not satisfied with the RPL decision, you can make an oral or written request for a clarification from the person who made the decision. (See Degree Regulations of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences).