RPL Exemplar - MTU Cork
HEI MTU Cork
RPL type Entry
Description of the applicant
The applicant was applying for entry to the Ab Initio Honours Degree and used RPL for equivalence to the Ordinary Degree 180 ECTS based on prior informal and non-formal learning.
School/Discipline Area Supply Chain Management
Programme name
Programme entry criteria
Bachelor of Business Honours in Global Supply Chain Management
The requirement for entry is an Ordinary Bachelor degree in Supply Chain or equivalent, at grade H2.2 or higher. (Examples of equivalence: a degree holder in business, engineering or IT disciplines with experience in logistics/ supply chain management in the industry). Suitably qualified applicants who have been out of the work environment for a number of years and have a previous history of employment but may require upskilling, reskilling or crossskilling to transition back to the workforce are most welcome. Applicants will also be considered under MTU’s well-established RPL process.
Level 8
Credits 60
Course type
Mode of delivery
Learner information on RPL process
Identifying prior learning
Undergraduate
Part-time, two evenings per week, and some Saturdays; Blended
The applicant made initial contact with the course coordinator outlining their prior learning. The course coordinator then referred the applicant to the RPL student mentor. The student mentor worked with the applicant to build their RPL application.
The student mentor worked with the applicant to develop and present their learning against each of the programme learning outcomes. The prior learning was informal and non-formal in nature. The applicant presented their understanding of each programme learning outcome through a narrative piece which included examples from the workplace where they had acquired and/or demonstrated the competence of the specific programme outcome, including critical incidents which provided a learning opportunity for the applicant. The RPL process required reflection by the applicant to decide what elements they wanted to share with the assessor. This step was supported by the RPL student mentor. The applicant was also shown examples of other applications from a different discipline as the RPL process is the same for all but the content and context will vary as it reflects the learning journey of each applicant. The mentor provided feedback on the completeness of the application as opposed to discipline specific content. The process is divided between the role of the mentor and the assessor so that it is objective and the application represents the learning of the individual. The mentor is responsible for ensuring that the candidate provides as much evidence as possible within their application so that an accurate assessment can take place.
Documenting & assessing prior learning
Template including three sections: CV; learning achieved; evidence to support the above two sections
Details of assessment of prior learning
Level 7 programme outcomes were used to determine if the applicant had the necessary prior learning. The applicant achieved this by mapping their learning against the programme learning outcomes at Level 7.
Timelines for preparation 8 weeks from initial query to final submission of the application; supported by the Student Mentor
Assessors Course coordinator makes the academic judgement as to whether the individual has the required prior learning in the different elements at the relevant standard.
Assessment tools used by assessors
The application is assessed for equivalence to the standard entry requirements. In this case, the application for entry is for equivalence to a level 7 standard in Supply Chain Management a holistic approach is adopted. In the case of an application for entry it is not feasible to have a set rubric as each application can vary from each other. The basis of assessment generally centres on having the necessary foundational learning and the ability to succeed in the new programme.
Assessment outcome(s) As the application was for entry into a programme no grade was awarded as the application is not being assessed for the achievement of an award. The application was assessed for equivalence to the standard entry requirements.
Link to course https://www.mtu.ie/courses/crbgscm8/
Acknowledgements Dr Deirdre Goggin, RPL Project Lead; Dr Phil O’Leary, Student Mentor
Other resources
MTU Mapping to PLOs
