Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy

Woolf’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process offers four possible outcomes:

• Admission Fulfillment by Exemption: Requirements for program admission are fulfilled through exemption.
• Progress Fulfillment by Exemption: Program progress requirements are fulfilled through exemption.
• Credit Transfer for Admission: Prior formal academic work is transferred or recognized to fulfill admission requirements.
• Credit Transfer for Progress: Prior formal academic work is transferred or recognized to fulfill progress requirements.

Credit Limits:

• Minimum: 1 ECTS credit.
• Maximum: 50% of total ECTS required for program completion.

• Admission Records:
  Detailed evaluative records from the RPL Committee, documenting evidence, criteria, outcomes, and rationale. These records ensure transparency and are securely stored in Woolf’s student information system.

• Transcripts for Transferred Modules:
  Modules are marked as "RPL-TR" (Recognition of Prior Learning - Transferred), showing credits assessed to fulfill other course requirements.

• Transcripts for Exempted Modules:
  Modules exempted through RPL are marked as "RPL-EX" (Recognition of Prior Learning - Exempted). The evaluative records are included in the student’s file.

This structure ensures that RPL decisions are well-documented, traceable, and consistent with academic standards.

1. Student (Applicant): A student's role is to compile and submit documentation and evidence of their prior learning, experiences, and skills. They must accurately present their qualifications and experiences relevant to the programme they are applying to, work closely with RPL Officers for guidance, and respond to any requests for additional information or clarification. For courses and degrees with rolling start dates, the student can file the request at any time, and it will be typically processed within five (5) days of receipt, with thirty (30) days as maximum processing time for more complex cases. For courses and degrees with specific start dates, the student should file the request at least thirty (30) days prior to the course start date in order to ensure that a decision has been reached by this date. 
2. RPL Officer: The RPL Officer is appointed by the college to guide students in the preparation of relevant documentation, provide guidance on the RPL process, and advise on further education or career pathways. Additionally, they contribute to policy development and stay updated with RPL best practices and standards.     
3. The RPL Evaluation Committee: In line with Woolf’s Policy of Quality Assurance, the RPL Evaluation Committee may be composed of the Head of Institution (ex officio), the Secretary (ex officio), and designated Curriculum and Quality Assurance officers (elected by the Head of Institution), and by election, up to two faculty members and two student representatives. A quorum requires only the ex officio members.
4. Subject Matter Expert (SME): SMEs aid in the RPL evaluation, and while the college may nominate the subject matter expert, the RPL Evaluation Committee may elect an independent SME. 
5. Quality Assurance, Enhancement, and Technology Alignment Committee (QAETAC): QAETAC is responsible for ensuring consistency and fairness in the RPL process, overseeing all evaluation decisions, and reviewing them semi-quarterly. If a candidate receives a negative result and is dissatisfied, their appeal is escalated to QAETAC, whose decision is final. In line with Woolf’s Quality Assurance Policy, QAETAC conducts cyclical reviews of the RPL Policy.

1. RPL request as grounds for admission into a programme of study: $200 USD (fee waivers are available based on individual need, subject to availability)     
2. RPL request for advanced entry (exemption) into a programme of study: $200 USD (fee waivers are available based on individual need, subject to availability)     
   • In the event RPL is used for an exemption from certain modules/ECTS, there will be no reduction in the tuition fees for the programme. 
3. Fees are not charged for the processing of appeals.   

RPL evaluation for admission to a programme or progress in a programme where requirements are considered to be fulfilled by exemption

1. In line with Woolf’s Policy of Quality Assurance, programme admission is by a Woolf College, and the college must request RPL for the relevant programme, specifying the admissions requirements which RPL is meant to exempt. Students may access the RPL policy and request an RPL Evaluation through Woolf’s website, or by contacting their college RPL Officer or Woolf’s     RPL Evaluation Committee.
2. The RPL Officer informs the college of the application requirements if these are not already specified on the programme’s profile at woolf.education. These requirements typically include a document checklist, and an opportunity for students to reflect on their prior learning. Applications specify the criteria for assessment, including: 
   • Validity: The prior learning submitted must correspond to the learning outcomes of the relevant programme and be at an appropriate MQF level.
   • Sufficiency: Students are required to provide ample documentation as evidence, including a completed application, a learning portfolio, and any other evidence requested by the relevant college.
   • Authenticity: Students must ensure the accuracy and veracity of the documentation provided.
   • Currency: The prior learning submitted for recognition must reflect current knowledge and practices.
   • Relevance: The prior learning must be pertinent to the intended programme of study.
3. Performance-based Admission is a specific subset of RPL for Admissions, wherein the combination of prior education and life experience do not fulfil the regular RPL requirements to demonstrate an existing competence at the appropriate MQF level, however, the student is engaged in formal academic work which may eventually be recognised for credit, fulfilling a requirement for admission to a programme. There are three requirements for ‘performance-based admission': 
   • The formal academic work must be delivered by a Woolf college, the programme must fulfil all other requirements for being offered for credit, and consequently, the student must be studying in a fully-approved module at Woolf, meeting all standards for compliance and record-keeping. 
   • The student admission to the degree will only be possible on the basis of successfully completing 25% or 250 hours (whichever is greater) of programme modules with a minimum grade percent of 90% on Woolf’s grading scale (see the Woolf Academic Handbook), while satisfactorily fulfilling all the normal requirements, including complete learning records, as an otherwise enrolled student.
4. The student must successfully pass a comprehensive foundational knowledge examination demonstrating the appropriate prerequisite MQF-Level knowledge of the discipline (for example, MQF 6 knowledge for admission to an MQF 7 degree); the examination must be approved by the Woolf Quality Assurance, Enhancement, and Technology Alignment Committee (QAETAC), and the student must pass with a minimum grade percent of 90% on Woolf’s grading scale.The RPL Officer collates the portfolio of documents to be evaluated for RPL. 
   • Relevant documents to include in the portfolio may include:
     • A detailed curriculum vitae
     • Certificates confirming participation in relevant training
     • Transcripts from previous educational institutions
     • The scope of duties performed to date
     • A report from an internship/apprenticeship agreement
     • Professional certification
     • Articles of other works written by the applicant
     • Opinion issued by the employer or manager or leader of an organisation in the form of letters of recommendation
     • Evidence of participation in a project and the scope of duties involved
     • Evidence of participation in foreign exchange periods
     • Examples of work performed (e.g. prepared reports, budget sheets, plans, etc.)
     • Pay slips from previous employers
5. The RPL Committee is convened and the portfolio is evaluated.
6. The RPL Committee may request further information or evidence at any time in the process, in which case the student will have up to two (2) weeks to supply the requested information. In cases of progress advancement, students may be required to sit an exam and successfully pass the examination.
7. In cases where there is an RPL for exemption, no grade other than ‘Pass’ is awarded for the prior learning, and the cumulative grade point average for the programme will not be directly affected by the RPL.
8. The RPL Committee will record its decision on the student’s record and communicate the decision to the student.

RPL evaluation for when formal academic work is transferred or recognised for credit, fulfilling a requirement for admission to a programme or for progress in a programme

1. In line with Woolf’s Policy of Quality Assurance, programme admission is by a Woolf College, and the student or college must request RPL for the relevant programme, specifying the requirements which RPL is meant to fulfil. Students may request RPL Evaluation by contacting their college or the RPL Evaluation Committee.
2. The RPL Officer informs the college of the application requirements if these are not already specified on the programme’s profile at woolf.education. These requirements typically include a document checklist, and an opportunity for students to reflect on their prior learning. Applications specify the criteria for assessment, including: 
   • Validity: The prior learning submitted must correspond to the learning outcomes of the relevant programme and be at an appropriate MQF level.
   • Sufficiency: Students are required to provide ample documentation as evidence, including a completed application, a learning portfolio, and any other evidence requested by the relevant college.
   • Authenticity: Students must ensure the accuracy and veracity of the documentation provided.
   • Currency: The prior learning submitted for recognition must reflect current knowledge and practices.
   • Relevance: The prior learning must be pertinent to the intended programme of study.
3. Performance-based Admission is a specific subset of RPL for Admissions, wherein the combination of prior education and life experience do not fulfil the regular RPL requirements to demonstrate an existing competence at the appropriate MQF level, however, the student is engaged in formal academic work which may eventually be recognised for credit, fulfilling a requirement for admission to a programme. There are three requirements for ‘performance-based admission’: 
   • The formal academic work must be delivered by a Woolf college, the programme must fulfil all other requirements for being offered for credit, and consequently, the student must be studying in a fully-approved module at Woolf, meeting all standards for compliance and record-keeping. 
   • The student admission to the degree will only be possible on the basis of successfully completing 25% or 250 hours (whichever is greater) of programme modules with a minimum grade percent of 90% on Woolf’s grading scale (see the Woolf Academic Handbook), while satisfactorily fulfilling all the normal requirements, including complete learning records, as an otherwise enrolled student.
   • The student must successfully pass a comprehensive foundational knowledge examination demonstrating the appropriate prerequisite      MQF-Level knowledge of the discipline (for example, MQF 6 knowledge for admission to an MQF 7 degree); the examination must be approved by the Woolf Quality Assurance, Enhancement, and Technology Alignment Committee (QAETAC), and the student must pass with a minimum grade percent of 90% on Woolf’s grading scale.
4. The RPL Officer collates the portfolio of documents to be evaluated for RPL. Relevant documents to include in the portfolio may include:
   • Certificates confirming participation in relevant training
   • Transcripts from previous educational institutions
   • A report from an internship/apprenticeship agreement
   • Professional certification
   • Evidence of participation in foreign exchange periods
   • Letters of recommendation from previous instructors or faculty.
5. The RPL Committee is convened and the portfolio is evaluated. The evaluation rubric and decision rationale is recorded. 
6. The committee will appoint a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to aid in the evaluation, and while the college may nominate the subject matter expert, the committee may elect an independent SME. 
7. The RPL Committee may request further information or evidence at any time in the process. In such cases, students will be given up to two (2) weeks to submit the requested evidence.
8. In cases where credits are transferred and Woolf does not have complete access to the curriculum, including its Intended Learning Outcomes and lesson content, then no grade other than ‘Pass’ is awarded for the prior learning. 
9. In cases where credits are transferred and Woolf does have complete access to the Intended Learning Outcomes and the lesson content, then the grades are transferred with the credits and contribute to the cumulative grade point average on the student’s transcript. 
10. The RPL Committee will record its decision on the student’s record and communicate the decision to the student by electronic mail. This process typically takes five (5) business days from the time of submission. This timeline may be extended if additional information is requested from the student. 

In most cases, students may expect a decision within five (5) business days from the time of submission. This may be extended if additional information is required. 

The decision of the RPL committee is delivered to the student via email and may consist of the following:

1. Full RPL, as requested
   • Full acceptance of an RPL request as grounds for admission into a programme of study
   • Full acceptance of an RPL request for advanced entry (exemption) into a programme of study
2. Partial RPL, with explanation
   • Partial acceptance of an RPL request for exemption
   • Partial acceptance of an RPL request for credit
3. No RPL 
   • With request for resubmission with further information
   • Rejection of the request

In the event of a positive assessment, the student will receive an official letter via email affirming the recognition of prior learning in reference to the specific programme and/or modules offered by Woolf. Such a letter and any conditions imposed by the RPL Committee will be issued by the Registrar's Office and copied to the relevant RPL Officer.

Students who fail to complete the RPL assessment successfully will be informed of the knowledge, skills, and competencies they still need to achieve, and will be given the option to reapply for RPL when they think they have achieved the missing elements.

Students who fail the RPL assessment and feel they were unfairly judged shall have the right to appeal the decision in order to request a resubmission and reassessment as outlined in Section 3.