RPL Quick Guide for Learners

Whatifthelearningyou’vegainedin work,inlife,orelsewherecouldcount towardsaqualification?

RPLhelpstorecognise andgivevalueto learningandrelevant skillsthatindividuals haveacquiredthrough workorotherlife experiencesthatmay nototherwisebe recognised.

IsRPLforme?

I’vebuiltskillsandgainedsignificantknowledgeovertheyearsand wouldliketogainahighereducationqualification

Iwanttostartacourse,orstartlaterinthecourse

I’dlikecreditfortrainingoron-the-joblearningI’vealreadydone

WhatisRecognition ofPriorLearning?

RecognitionofPriorLearning(RPL)is allaboutgivingyoutheopportunity touseyourrelevantlifeandwork experienceasapathwaytoand throughhighereducation.

Whetheryou’vegainedskillsthrough formaleducation,on-the-job training,work,througheverydaylife orcommunitywork,RPLhelpsto recognisethelearningyouhave alreadyachievedandcansupport youtotakethenextsteponyour learningjourney.

WhocanuseRPL?

Anyone,regardlessofformal qualifications,canapplyRPLin highereducation.TheRPLprocess canbeusedto:

•Gainmoduleexemptionsor creditforlearningtheyhave alreadyachieved.

•Gainentrytoaprogrammein highereducation.

•Startaprogrammeatan advancedlevel,likeyear2or3.

OpeningDoorstoHigherEducation

RPLhasopenedupnewlearningopportunitiesforthousandsofpeople acrossthecountry,helpingthemtoachievetheirpotential.

Igainedaccesstothe coursebecauseI couldproveIhad20 years’relevant experienceundermy belt

Seeingmyyearsofpracticalexperience andlearningvaluedwasaffirming.It mademefeelseenandrespected,not merelyasacandidatelackinga specificcredentialbutasacompetent individualwhosediverseexperiences contributesignificantlytomyfield.

RPLhasimpactedmegreatly,nowIcansit inmeetingswithgreatconfidence.The adviceIwouldgivetoanyoneconsidering RPLishavecourage,bebraveandtakethat firststep.

WheretoapplyforRPL

TheRPLinHigherEducationProject workswith14partnerhighereducation institutionsacrossIreland,including Universities,TechnologicalUniversities andInstitutesofTechnology.

Whetheryouhaveaparticular programmeinmind,orare consideringyouroptions,takethefirst stepsinidentifyingwheretostudyand courses/programmeswhereRPL applicationsareaccepted.

DiscoverourPartner Institutions

*RecognitionofPriorLearningmaynotbe availableforallprogrammesoraward typesandissubjecttoinstitutionaland programmecriteria.RPLdoesnot automaticallyleadtoaqualification. priorlearning.ie