Information and Guidance for staff
QAA Guidance on Accreditation of Prior Learning
University principles regarding APL (Approved by Senate June 2007)
1. Liverpool Hope University allows prior certificated and experiential learning to contribute to the achievement of an academic qualification of the University.
2. The accreditation of prior learning is undertaken in a way that ensures academic integrity, consistency and equity for all students.
3. The criteria against which APL requests are judged relate to the level, volume, and currency of the prior qualifications and their match against published programme learning outcomes to ensure that any student admitted for advanced standing is equipped and prepared to cope with the demands of their programme at Hope. It is also possible to request APL against individual courses at Levels C, I or M.
4. The maximum amount of credit individual applicants can gain via APL is normally 50% of the overall credits required for an award but requests for entry into Level H will be considered by suitably qualified applicants.
5. Holders of a relevant HND qualification would need to have achieved an overall pass with merit profile at Level I (or equivalent) to be considered for admission into Level H. To be considered for admission into Level H of a QTS programme, holders of a relevant HND qualification would need to have achieved an overall pass with distinction profile at Level I (or equivalent) and be able to demonstrate the requisite school based experience.
6. Undergraduate and postgraduate applications for APL will be treated in the same manner.
7. Applications for APL can normally only be made prior to entry. It is not normally possible to apply for APL on-course.
8. For undergraduate courses, APL can be granted for credits at Level C and I but not towards credit at Level H. For postgraduate courses, it is not possible to gain APL for the dissertation course.
9. All APL requests will be assessed by the Dean or a Subject Assessor nominated by the Dean. Decisions regarding direct entry into Level I or H would normally involve an interview.
10. All decisions taken by the Dean will be notified to the APL Panel which is chaired by the Registrar to monitor cross-Faculty parity of practice. A representative of Admissions will attend for liaison. The Panel will monitor success rates of applications and monitor applicant’s progress once on course.
11. There is therefore no deadline for applications for APL prior to the start of the academic year although all applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for the consideration of their request.
12. There may be an administrative fee payable for each submitted APEL request, whether or not it is successful. The fee reflects the considerable administrative and academic support burden these requests place on staff.