RPL for Entry: Exemplar from DCU

RPL Exemplar – DCU 1 HEI

DCU

RPL type

Entry

Description of the applicant School/Discipline Area

Applicant did not meet the entry criteria (L8 sports related) but did have considerable relevant experience Faculty of Science and Health, School of Health and Human Performance

Programme name

MSc in Elite Sport Performance

Programme entry criteria

Applicants will be expected to hold a 2.2 Honours degree (Level 8 NFQ or equivalent) in an area of sport and performance. In line with DCU policy, students who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment for direct entry may apply for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). All RPL applicants will be invited to interview and required to demonstrate that their learning is comparable in terms of academic training and assessment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL, see the RPL website. As part of the application process applicants may be called for an interview (This depends on the outcome of a triage process at the pre-interview stage where applicants are invited to discuss their experiences/qualifications across formal, informal and non-formal spaces).

Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. This information is additional to the published criteria For example, Holding a position or role in the promotion of sport performance or related area Holding an appointment or professional position in the domain Professional qualifications in the domain, with clear articulation of intention to progress to work in the domain.

For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details listed on the programme web page.

Level Credits Course type Mode of delivery Learner information on RPL process

Identifying prior learning Documenting & assessing prior learning

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Exemplars

9 90 Postgraduate Part-time, blended Applicant contacted the Programme Chair via email expressing an interest in the programme. The Programme Chair set up an informal online meeting to discuss the applicant’s experience and qualifications. The Programme Chair deemed the applicant to have appropriate formal, non-formal and informal learning (against the NQF) and invited the applicant to apply for RPL. The RPL application deadlines are in line with the DCU deadlines.

The applicant identified their learning through discussion with the Programme Chair using the NFQ as guidance.

Written application; written assessment; interview

Recognition of Prior Learning

Details of assessment of prior learning

Application Form includes: Level of academic education attained; Type & level of professional training and/or accreditation undertaken; practical experience in sport performance gained.

Written assessment of 500 words discussing experience and role in elite sport performance One reference (academic and/or professional)

Timelines for preparation

Non provided

Assessors

Programme Chair;

Assessment tools used by assessors

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) used to identify appropriateness

Member of the Elite Performance Staff

of RPL application.

Interview is recorded and includes a series of questions.

See additional resource - RPL Interview Questions Assessment outcome(s)

Application was assessed by Programme Chair in the first instance, before using the NFQ to identify appropriateness for RPL application; The interview was conducted by the Programme Chair and another member of the Elite Performance staff.

The two assessors reviewed the application (interview, documentation, evidence) and came to a decision on the suitability of the applicant.

The decision and the accompanying paperwork were uploaded via a Google Form for approval by Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning (ADTL)/Faculty Teaching Committee (FTC).

Following the assessment and approval process, the Programme Chair completed the CRM report for Registry, outlining the assessment outcome. Registry made a formal offer via email.

Link to course Acknowledgements

Other resources

Your Learning Counts

https://www.dcu.ie/courses/postgraduate/school-health-andhuman-performance/msc-elite-sport-performance Dr. Robin Taylor Assistant Professor in Elite Performance Programme Chair MSc Elite Sport Performance School of Health and Human Performance | Faculty of Science and Health | Karina Curley, RPL Project Lead Kelly Adamson, RPL Research Assistant MSc in Elite Sport Performance RPL Interview Questions

Exemplars

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DCU MSc in Elite Sport Performance RPL Interview Questions DCU MSc in Elite Sport Performance RPL Interview Questions 1

What coaching environments do you work in?

- Highlight some of the key considerations when working with a specific group - Highlight some of the key challenges when working with that group - What elements of your environment do you want to learn more about and why?

2

What skills have you developed in your current role that would be transferable to PG study?

- Examples of how they appear in your world?

- Examples of how they might appear in PG study?

- Skills you feel you lack?

3

What strategies have you used to help develop knowledge and understanding before PG study?

- Formally?

- Informally?

- What skills did you need to do this?

4

When you consider your own coaching practice, where do you see your strengths?

- And your areas for development?

These questions allow for the course team to get an insight into the critical thinking skills of the candidate to assess suitability for navigating further study.

4 | Supporting Resources

Recognition of Prior Learning