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How do I apply for APL?


Step 1: If you wish to be awarded credit for APL you should in the first instance discuss the matter with the Admissions Office, who will give you advice regarding the University’s APL procedures and ensure you are directed towards the relevant Subject Assessor. They will also ensure that you have the appropriate APL application form.

 

The forms available are: 

ADS1: Advanced Standing Using Hope Credits Application Form (Students)  

ADS2: Advanced Standing Using Hope Credits Assessment Form (Staff)  

APL1: Accreditation of Prior Learning Form (Students)  

APL2: Accreditation of Prior Learning Accrediation Form (Staff)  

 

Step 2:   The Subject Assessor is the member of academic staff within a Faculty responsible for admissions into the programme/pathway concerned. S/he may request additional information, e.g. details of an original course syllabus and/or the assessment methods. In the case of applications for Advanced Standing the Subject Assessor will access your records from the University’s student information database (SITS).  

Step 3: The Subject Assessor will verify that your application form meets the University’s APL principles (see below) and that the evidence of prior learning is complete. If the application is not in accordance with the principles, or if evidence (in the form of award certificate(s), transcript(s) or, in the case of experiential learning, a portfolio of evidence) is missing, the Subject Assessor will inform you of the discrepancy in writing.

Step 4:  APCL or APEL The Subject Assessor carries out the following actions to determine whether you are eligible for APL towards a Liverpool Hope University award, documenting each action on the pro-forma (APL2). S/he will:

  • Decide whether further evidence in a format to be specified is required in addition to your initial submission and inform you of the nature of any such evidence;
  • Assess the evidence against the requirements and learning outcomes of the appropriate programme.  S/he will consult with other members of academic staff as appropriate. Consideration will be given to:
  • subject content and knowledge
  • volume of learning
  • level of learning
  • evidence of achievement
  • restrictions imposed by Professional or Statutory Bodies, if applicable.
  • Evaluate the time (link to shelf life in other section) that has elapsed since you undertook this learning and assess the currency of your knowledge in relation to the requirements of the programme.
  • If necessary, invite you to an interview, and make the necessary arrangements. 

Step 4: Advanced Standing: The Subject Assessor will access your previous records and assess whether you are eligible for advanced standing, documenting action on the pro-forma ADS2. S/he will:

  • assess the validity of the prior learning in relation to the requirements and learning outcomes of the relevant programme. Consideration will be given to: subject content and knowledge; volume of learning; level of learning; evidence of achievement and restrictions imposed by Professional or Statutory Bodies, if applicable.
  • evaluate the time that has elapsed since you  undertook his/her learning and assess the currency of the students knowledge in relation to the requirements of the module(s).
  • confirm that the programme/pathway will be available at the appropriate levels to enable you, if successful, to complete the award within your maximum period of registration. This is normally six years for full-time students and ten years for part-time. 

Step 5: For all APL applications the Subject Assessor will recommend to the relevant Dean either:

  • that you should be granted a specific amount of credit (e.g. exemption from individual parts of a programme or exemption from a level of study) towards the relevant award ; or
  • that the application for APL should be refused, for specified reasons. 

Step 6:.The Dean will ensure that all decisions relating to your application for APL are formally recorded and, if your APL request has been successful, will consult with the Registrar’s Office on the implications of the decision for matters such as the algorithms for calculation of degree classification or award of merit or distinction at Masters level, etc.   

Step 7: Following the Dean’s decision, the Admissions Office will inform you of the decision formally in writing.

Step 8:  The APL Assessment Panel will meet to receive and monitor the decisions on all undergraduate and postgraduate requests for APL.