Continuous Professional Development
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UCD Recognition of Prior Learning
Your Learning Counts
Welcome All! Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) helps to recognise the learning you have already achieved in order to avoid duplication of learning.
The RPL application process may be used to gain entry to academic programmes, even if you do not meet the traditional entry requirements. It may also be used to gain module credit/exemptions once on a programme and advanced entry (beyond Stage 1) to UCD programmes.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your Learning Counts
RPL can help you get a formal qualification that utilises your knowledge and skills.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your Learning Counts
RPL Eliminates unnecessary repetition and duplication of material already familiar to you.
Recognition of Prior Learning
UCD encourages lifelong learning and provides the opportunity for prior and concurrent learning to be recognised.
Students can apply to have prior and concurrent learning recognised for the purposes of admission into a UCD programme of study, or credit applied towards a UCD programme of study (for example to replace elective credits in a Stage), or transfer into or between UCD programmes. The Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning Policy, and all supporting documentation, applies to all UCD programmes at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning (RPL) is defined as: “a process by which learning is formally identified, assessed and given a value”.
- RPL encompasses all forms of prior and concurrent learning, including learning acquired by following a course of study (i.e., formal learning), learning acquired outside of the formal education system which may not lead to certification (i.e., non-formal learning) and learning acquired through experience.
- Prior learning refers to learning achieved prior to admission to a programme of study.
- Concurrent learning refers to learning that has been completed outside of the programme after the student has been admitted to the programme.
Applying for RPL
Benefit of RPL to Students
Listen to UCD graduate Ronan Horgan talking about his decision to do a course at UCD and how he applied to have his prior experience recognised.
Listen to UCD graduate Ronan Horgan talking about his decision to do a course at UCD and how he applied to have his prior experience recognised.