The RPL initiative takes into account the skills you’ve already acquired in your field of employment, as well as the knowledge you’ve gained via study and life experiences. An RPL evaluation utilizes your existing talents to fulfill the credits needed for a formal qualification.
One of the advantages of RPL is that it recognizes the value of learning in different settings. You can utilize your prior education, domestic and international qualifications, and samples of work experience. RPL also recognizes the skills and knowledge you’ve gained outside of a formal context. This qualification recognizes and values on-the-job learning. By combining all of your past experiences, RPL eliminates unnecessary repetition.
RPL works well because it recognizes the worth of what you’ve learned.

Anyone can apply for RPL. The RPL process takes into account all relevant skills, knowledge, and experience that you have regardless of the way you got them. This includes experience and training you have gained through paid work, volunteer work, or just life in general. Through the RPL process, you may be able to gain a complete qualification or, if you have gaps in your knowledge, parts of a qualification. If you need to, you can complete the rest of the qualification through training and a formal assessment.

The process of looking back on your past experiences and reflecting on what you learned can help you take stock of your skills and abilities and set career and educational goals. In turn, these goals can help you begin to build upon what you already know and can do.
The RPL process makes it possible for educational institutions, workplaces, professional bodies, and other organizations to assess your knowledge and skills to award credit, grant professional status, or advance your career.
The RPL process can help you save time and money by filling in the gaps in your learning without having to repeat things you already know and can do.
Being awarded qualifications through the RPL initiative means that you don’t have to study what you already know. Instead, you provide evidence that you already have the knowledge and skills that the qualification would give you.

RPL is achieved when an individual can have their learning formally assessed and quality assured to successfully be admitted to or gain exemptions to components or parts of a formal qualification or award through the use of learning outcomes.

Formative RPL is where the candidate is looking to have knowledge, skills and competencies assessed for personal or career development.

Summative RPL is where formal ECTS credit is awarded and recognised as having the same value as credit gained in formal teaching institutions.

Credit Transfer is when a candidate has gained a formal award or qualification, has received formal ECTS credit, and is looking to gain entry at an advanced stage or exemption from a component of another programme of study, where the learning outcomes of the first programme of study match the learning outcomes of the new programme of study.

You can apply for RPL anytime. The deadline for applying for RPL depends on what you’re using it for. Remember to give yourself enough time to work on your portfolio of evidence, if this applies.

RPL is generally faster than completing a qualification from scratch and provides you with the opportunity to get:
– a promotion or more money;
– entry into a different career or job;
– entry to or credit in another course; and
– satisfaction from having your skills formally recognized.
The qualification you get is the same that you would get if you completed a full training qualification but with the added bonus that you won’t spend time in the classroom going over things you already know, making it faster.

If you already hold any relevant qualifications and other credentials, you could be eligible for RPL to gain advanced entry to a Master of Advanced Studies, MBA, DBA, or Doctorate of Advanced Studies. These awards are meant for working professionals with an interest in high-level roles or for individuals looking to excel to their highest potential as working professionals in their field.

Contact the organisation where you completed your studies as they may be able to provide you with a copy of your qualification. If you cannot get a copy of your qualification, you can still go through an RPL process; however, you will need to show your competence in some other way.

Prior learning can be assessed in several ways. One method commonly used is an assessment of a portfolio. The types of evidence required depend on the qualification you are seeking, and there are specific lists for each qualification. Here are some examples of the types of evidence you could provide for RPL:
– Academic transcripts, qualifications, and statements of attainment.
– Language certificates.
– Internal training documents.
– Documentation that reflects your role such as budget plans and projections, operational plans, risk management plans, and training needs analysis reports.
– Documentation such as staff rosters, and policy and procedure documents you have written or contributed to.
– Minutes of meetings you have chaired or participated in.
– Compliance records.
– Task lists.
– PowerPoint presentations.
– Observations from your workplace.
– Performance review/ staff appraisal documents.
– Incident reports.
– Any relevant licenses.
The portfolio will document what has been learned, where and how the student learned it, and how the student’s experiences meet the requirements. The way you apply for RPL depends on the type of RPL you want to put towards your qualification. An RPL advisor will be assigned to you once you complete the inquiry form. The advisor will then contact you to discuss your case and provide advice and guidance on the RPL procedure.

Fees depend on the award qualification you aim for as well as on the mapping of your previous credentials. In case you miss credits to receive an award, you will be guided for extra academic work with us. Awards via the RPL initiative are issued by SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich. A second (double) degree can be awarded by our collaborative, public, or private institutions / Universities (relevant fees apply). Please contact our advisors to guide you through the process and the relevant fees.

The mapping of prior learning against learning outcomes is considered a matter of academic judgment. Our decision takes into account several factors based on the evidence you provide:
– Equivalence: your prior learning must cover similar knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of your chosen course
– Depth: your application must outline clearly the nature of your achievements and (where necessary) prove that the achievements are your own
– Relevance: Is your prior learning up to date and relevant? Both certificated and experience-based learning are considered ‘current’ if it is achieved within 5 years of your course start date.
To be considered for an RPL, you need to download and complete the application form.
You should also include the following:
– Valid ID or Passport
– School Leaving Certificate (or equivalent)
– Transcripts of Studies
– Current Curriculum Vitae (suggested)
– Personal Statement – please include a document of a maximum of 200 words demonstrating your career aspirations (suggested)
– Academic/Professional References (suggested).
All you have to do then is email the above documents to: SR21@SR21.ch and an advisor will contact you to discuss your case and proceed with your application. We will send you a formal decision in writing and – if relevant – we will require further information about the award you aim to achieve.

Advanced Studies degrees are specifically geared towards a particular career profile. They are awarded in Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany, and various other countries in the world, as higher continuing education (‘Weiterbildung’) degrees. Advanced studies degree schemes of SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich may form an integral part of a doctorate-level program.

ⓘ RPL from the ILO, the International Labour Organisation (UN)
ⓘ European Commission: Recognition of prior learning in Europe
ⓘ Switzerland –  Recognition of Prior Learning
ⓘ Swedish Council for Higher Education: RPL in practice
ⓘ Australian Government: Credit and recognition of prior learning
ⓘ RPL policy and guidelines of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)