1. Introduction 

1.1. Credit transfer and RPL? 

At LEICAD we value the experience you have may have gained through prior qualifications,  learning and work. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which includes credit transfer, allows you  to: 

∙ Use academic credits you already have and/or 

∙ Convert prior related knowledge, skills and experience into credits which you can then  use towards your qualification. 

This guide sets out the different types of RPL and how you can use them. 

This guidance also sets out what you need to do if you wish to take your credits earned at LEICAD and use them towards a further qualification at another institution later on. 

1.2. How you can use RPL 

RPL, including credit transfer, allows you to start your course at the appropriate level applicable  to you and may reduce the amount of time you need to study to gain a qualification at LEICAD.  You could get exemption(s) from part of your chosen course or enter at a higher level than the  normal entry point, (which is known as Advanced Standing). For example, you could use credits  from a Certificate of Higher Education to start in level 4 or a Foundation Degree or Diploma of  Higher Education to start in the third year of level 5 or you could use accreditations from a  professional body to exempt you from certain modules on your course.  

We use credits as a standard measure for learning achieved. The Institute’s decision on whether  you can receive RPL or are granted advanced standing will depend on a number of factors  including credits previously achieved and how well your previous knowledge, skills or experience  match the module learning outcomes and course aims. 

We will assess your past experience and/ or qualifications to see if they can count towards the  course you plan to study. You can apply for academic credit if you have: 

∙ Been awarded academic credit by a college or university for all or part of a qualification. ∙ Relevant work or voluntary experience. 

∙ Have a professional qualification. 

∙ Participated in other courses or training. 

1.3. Advantages of Credit transfer and RPL 

There are advantages to claiming credit towards a LEICAD qualification which is that it: 

∙ Reduces the time of study on your UWL course. 

∙ Gains recognition for your prior work and learning experience. 

∙ Promotes life-long learning through credit accumulation.

∙ Avoids repetition of learning. 

∙ May provide financial savings. 

1.4. Admission onto a course 

If you wish to claim advanced standing or module exemptions you should state this on your  application form and supply the details of your previous credits. RPL is not used to gain admission  at the standard entry level of a course. This is an admissions activity and the Institute Admissions  Policy and Procedures should be followed, these can be found on the policies and regulations  page. For example, if you do not meet the minimum entry requirements for your course but have  other relevant experience within a similar field and want to know if this will allow you to study  on the course you will need to contact Admissions by emailing: admissions@leicad.co.uk. 

1.5. Admission onto an Apprenticeship course 

If you have been offered an apprenticeship via your employer you may be required to present  evidence of prior learning, this is a requirement of the initial assessment process for  apprenticeships. In accordance with the Education and Skills Funding Agency rules, RPL can be  granted unless your courses assessment plan precludes it. Please check the Apprenticeship  Standard that applies to your chosen course as the employer requirements need to be met. RPL  can be granted provided that the Institute’s procedures for RPL can determine that the prior  learning is suitable for recognition against course or module learning outcomes in accordance  with the Institute regulations. 

2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 

2.1. Credit transfer 

Credit Transfer allows you to transfer in your credits achieved at another Higher Education  Institution when joining a similar qualification at LEICAD. You will only be able to transfer  academic credits which match the learning objectives of your new LEICAD course, and which have  been awarded in the last 4 years. Higher education qualifications include Foundation and  Bachelor's degrees, HNC and HNDs, postgraduate certificates and diplomas, and Master's  degrees. If you started but didn’t complete a higher education course or have a higher education  qualification or credits from a non-UK institution you may be able to transfer these credits into  the Institute. 

2.2. Recognition of prior certificated learning 

Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) is for Higher Education level learning that didn’t  result in a UK higher education qualification or credits. Therefore, this type of RPL looks at your  prior studies and professional qualifications (normally achieved in an education context) to see if  these can exempt you from certain modules on the course you wish to study. 

2.3. Recognition of prior experiential learning

Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) is a process for assessing work experience in the  field of your studies for credit on your course. This is normally learning which has been achieved  outside education or training systems, for example through significant employment or voluntary  work. 

You must compile a portfolio of evidence to show how your work experience has covered the  learning objectives for part of your qualification. Your Course Leader will be able to discuss the  RPEL requirements with you; it is a good idea to need to start this process before the start of your  course. 

You can sometimes combine credit for learning (RPCL) and credit for learning from experience  (RPEL) to start your course at a higher level. 

2.4. Articulation Agreements and Progression Agreements 

Articulation Agreement 

Articulation agreements are for students who have studied a particular qualification at another  institution, guaranteeing entry at a later stage of a designated LEICAD course. These are  agreements that are already in place between LEICAD and awarding institutions. Your current  institution will be able to let you know if an Articulation Agreement is in place for your  qualification. 

Progression Agreement 

Progression agreements are agreements that are already in place between LEICAD and another  awarding institution and do not guarantee entry onto a course. They allow you to apply for entry  to a later stage of a designated LEICAD course if you have studied a particular course at another  institution. Your current institution will be able to let you know if a Progression Agreement is in  place for your qualification. 

REMEMBER: You can put more than one of these types of RPL towards a qualification. Example 1: 

Student A has worked in Business Administration for 3 years, they have completed a CertHE in  Business Skills at an overseas institution. 

Student A can request advanced standing into Level 5 of the appropriate degree credits from  their CertHE as well as RPEL for any relevant work experience. 

Example 2: 

Student B has already been awarded a Foundation Degree in Computing and has achieved an  employment-based award for computer skills. Student B would like to undertake further higher level study in Computing.

Student B can request Credit Transfer for the Foundation Course on a Level 5/6 Computing  course at LEICAD and RPCL to allow exemption from certain modules for the employment-based  award 

3. Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) 

Where a course is subject to requirements of a PSRB (with or without professional accreditation)  the number or level of academic credits may be restricted by the requirements of the PSRB, or  they may restrict claims for RPL on core modules. Some PSRBs do not allow any credit to be  awarded through RPL, and some may set specific requirements for credited awarded through  RPL. Accreditations are on the website, and you should check with Admissions or your Course  Leader if your course is accredited by a PSRB and you wish to apply for credit transfer or RPL. 

4. Applying for Credit transfer and RPL 

The way you apply for credit transfer or other forms of RPL depends on the quantity and nature  of your qualifications and experience and whether you are applying for advanced standing. 

If you wish to apply for exemption from particular modules, you need to have applied for your  course or be registered on it. 

The deadline for applying for credit transfer or RPL depends on how you’re using your previous  academic credit or experience. Remember to give yourself enough time to work on your portfolio  of evidence, if this applies. 

4.1. Using credit transfer to start on a higher level of a course 

If you wish to use existing credits to apply for advanced standing, you will need to apply for this  through the Admissions Process and details of how to apply can be found via the how to apply  page. 

In order to assess your application, we will require a certified copy of your transcript to verify  your credits. The Course Leader will assess this against the course and the learning outcomes.  Where you have met these by studying similar courses elsewhere, your application will be  approved, although please note that while courses may have the same title they may not have  the same content. 

4.2. Using RPL to claim some credits on a level of a course 

If you want to use RPL to claim some but not all credits on a level of the course (for example,  because a module covers knowledge that you already have), you must apply as soon as possible. 

5. RPL limitations 

5.1. University Regulations for RPL and Admission with Advanced Standing

The Institute has specific regulations in relation to RPL and admission with Advanced Standing  Credit. 

This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Institute Academic Regulations and should  be used to support understanding and interpretation of the regulations and associated process. 

Specific regulations relating to RPL and Admissions with Advanced Standing Credit can be found  in the Institute Academic Regulations. Admissions, advice on these Regulations can be provided  by the Academic Registry and queries should be emailed to PriorLearning@leicad.co.uk 

The regulations cover what is required to claim academic credit for prior learning, how much  academic credit can be awarded and the minimum and maximum permitted duration of study  when RPL is awarded. The Institute Academic Regulations details how the classification of the  final award is calculated when a portion of the programme has been achieved through RPL. 

Some important limitations to note: 

∙ Double counting is not permitted: You can't use RPL for a course you've already  completed. For example, if you want to repeat a module or year to get a higher final  classification. 

∙ Maximum credit limits: The maximum amount of RPL you can put towards a qualification  is two-thirds of the total credit value of the course. For example, 240 RPL credits towards  a 360-credit Level 6, or 100 credits for Level 7. 

∙ Dissertations/Capstone projects/Final Year Project: RPL cannot be claimed for a  dissertation/capstone project/Final Year Project module. 

∙ Higher to lower level: You usually cannot normally request credits at a higher level to be  transferrable to a lower-level award. 

∙ Marks and credits: You can't use marks from modules you completed on another course  in calculating the final classification of an award when you use RPL. 

6. How much does RPL cost? 

Applying for RPL is free for most of our courses. 

There may be a fee for assessing your portfolio of evidence for work-based degrees. Contact the  Admissions (undergraduate.admissions@leicad.co.uk) department for further information. 

7. Transferring your credits to another institution 

Just as you can use credit gained at another higher education institution towards a LEICAD qualification, you can also use credits gained at LEICAD to transfer elsewhere. 

If you wish to transfer to another Higher Education Institution you are advised to gain an in  principle decision before withdrawing. We also recommend that you get advice from Student  Services Advice Team about any financial implications.

You will need a copy of your transcript. If you have completed modules during your studies at  LEICAD, we will send you your academic transcript after the Assessment Board has ratified your  marks. You will need to withdraw from the Institute, and you should be aware of the following: 

∙ Your withdrawal date will be determined by your last engagement date. ∙ Once your withdrawal has been processed, a change of circumstance will be sent to  Student Finance detailing your withdrawal date. 

∙ If you are in receipt of funding from student finance, your withdrawal date may in some  cases require you to return part of your maintenance loan back to student finance. 

If you are applying for funding for your studies at your new institution, then you should tell  Student Finance as soon as possible. If you have already received an assessment, then ask your  new institution to send a manual registration so that you receive your maintenance loan as soon  as possible.