RPL
Recognising prior learning from certificates or experience
The University of Bradford recognises that applicants/students may have gained knowledge and skills from prior learning or experience that is relevant to their intended programme of study. The Recognition of Prior Learning (known as RPL) process enables the University to recognise prior achievement for a number of different purposes:
- For admission to a programme where an applicant does not have the standard/common entry qualifications
- For admission to a programme at an intermediate level (e.g. into year 2 of an undergraduate degree). This is called entry ‘with advanced standing’
- For awarding credit within a programme, allowing a student to gain exemption from individual modules. This is called ‘credit importation’
- Or a combination of the above.
Facts and questions about RPL
Can I apply for RPL?
Almost all programmes support entry with non-standard qualifications, and many offer entry with advanced standing and/or credit importation, particularly where previous University of Bradford programmes have been studied.
Some programmes do not allow students/applicants to enter at an intermediate level or import credit towards their University of Bradford award. This is usually due to requirements of accreditation by professional, statutory and regulatory bodies.
To see whether your current or intended programme of study accepts applications for RPL, please refer to the published programme specification or see the ‘Further advice and support’ section below.
Types of recognised prior learning
Prior learning is either certificated (RPCL) or experiential (RPEL). The same application process applies to both types of RPL.
Certificated Learning (RPCL)
Prior certificated learning is learning that has previously been formally assessed. In this scenario, the applicant usually has a certificate and/or transcript to evidence that their learning has been assessed. Applicants requesting recognition of prior certificated learning may be asked for further details about their learning – for example from module descriptors, samples of work etc. The University will then determine the status of this learning as it relates to the intended programme of study and the applicant’s RPL request.
Examples of evidence an applicant might use for RPCL include:
- Certificates of modules/programmes previously studied
- Transcripts to accompany certificates
- Specifications or descriptions of previous modules/programmes studied
- Examples of completed tasks or assignments
Experiential (RPEL)
Prior experiential learning is learning that has been gained through experience and has not been evidenced by formal assessment or certification. In applications for the recognition of prior experiential learning, applicants will be asked to demonstrate their learning against certain criteria (e.g. learning outcomes or entry requirements). The University will then assess this learning to determine how it relates to the intended programme of study and the application for RPL.
Examples of evidence an applicant might use for RPEL include:
- Job description(s) of previous employment
- Reports from work experience
- References (e.g. from employers, tutors)
- Examples of completed tasks or assignments
Assessment of RPL Evidence
Any evidence provided should be legible and in English. In cases where the evidence is in a language other than English, official/certified translations should be provided alongside the original documents.
When reviewing any submitted evidence, the University will be checking that it is:
- Authentic – Is the learning being demonstrated in the evidence genuinely the work of the applicant? Are any certificates/transcripts/references from genuine institutions/people?
- Relevant and Current – Does the evidence clearly demonstrate achievement of the entry requirements and/or learning outcomes stated? Is this learning still relevant for the entry requirements and/or learning outcomes today?
- Sufficient – Has enough evidence been provided to allow the University to confidently approve the application for RPL?
If more evidence is required…
If the member of staff reviewing an RPL application thinks that the evidence provided is insufficient to make a judgement about the achievement of the relevant entry requirements and/or learning outcomes, they may reach out to the applicant to discuss any additional evidence that it might be possible to provide.
In certain circumstances (particularly for experiential RPL applications), the applicant may also be asked to complete an assignment, produce a portfolio of work and/or take part in an interview as additional evidence to support their application.
How much credit can I bring in through recognised prior learning?
The formal rules regarding the importation of credit at the University of Bradford are covered in Regulation 2 (Undergraduate and Bachelors programmes) and Regulation 9 (Postgraduate and Masters programmes). Below is a summary of the key rules and regulations:
Importing credit - minimum amount
The minimum amount of credit that can be imported into a programme via the RPL process is the equivalent of a single module. This minimum credit value of ‘one module’ will depend on the programme. Most modules at Bradford are 20 credits. Applicants/students can find out about the credit value of their programme and modules from the published programme specification.
Importing credit – maximum amount
The maximum amount of credit that can be imported into a programme via the RPL process is 50% of the remaining balance of credit following entry onto the programme, whether this is at the standard entry point or with advanced standing.
For example:
- A student enters an undergraduate programme with advanced standing at level 6 (the final stage of an undergraduate degree) so their ‘remaining balance’ of credit is 120 credits. In this scenario, the student would be able to apply for an additional 60 credits of RPL.
- A student applies to a postgraduate Masters programme which has a credit value of 180 credits. In this scenario, the student would be able to apply for up to 90 credits of RPL.
Can I import my marks from other courses too? How much is my grade worth under RPL?
Prior learning which is gained outside the University of Bradford or its off-site partners will be recognised via the importation of credit only. No marks/grades will be imported for this prior learning. Instead, credit importation will be recorded at the pass rate for the programme (usually 40%) and will be excluded from the final degree award classification calcuations.
This means that any programme average and/or classification will be based upon a student’s performance at the University of Bradford only.
Where an application for recognition of prior learning relates to credit achieved at the University of Bradford or its off-site partners (for example, from a module/programme studied previously), marks may be imported along with the credit and may contribute to the permitted programme average and/or classification(s). This is sometimes referred to as recognising accredited prior learning or RAPL.
Should I apply for RPL? Some advantages to think about
Recognising prior learning, whether for standard entry or for importing credit, can offer many benefits for applicants and students.
Depending on the type and amount of RPL, some of these benefits include:
- Giving students with non-traditional qualifications the opportunity to access and benefit from Higher Education.
- Allowing students to avoid duplication of study where achievement of learning outcomes has already been evidenced.
- Allowing students to gain an award more quickly than if they had to start from the beginning of a programme of study.
Should I apply for RPL? Some potential drawbacks to consider
While RPL can be very beneficial for applicants and students, some points to consider before you submit an RPL application include:
- Some RPL scenarios can affect a student’s ability to apply for financial support. See the ‘How much does RPL cost and how does it affect fees?’ section above for more information.
- Even if you have prior experience/qualifications in certain areas, sometimes it can be beneficial to study topics again but in new ways, in a new environment and with new people.
- People are on hand to support you throughout your programme, but sometimes joining a programme later (e.g. in Year 2 rather than Year 1) can be a little daunting and some people feel more comfortable joining at the beginning when their classmates are also ‘new’.
When is RPL usually claimed for?
Normally, claims for RPL would be submitted during the application process for a chosen programme of study.
However, there may be instances where a student wishes to receive recognition for learning gained during (but outside) their formal programme of study - e.g. on a year abroad or placement. In this scenario, a student can submit an application for RPL upon completion of their learning and/or receipt of any certification/transcript.
We have tried to make the application process and form as simple as possible, but it is important to consider that completing the RPL application form can take a little bit of time and there is no guarantee of the application being successful.
Further advice and support with RPL
We're on hand to help with any queries you might have about a potential or current RPL application.
Choose the statement that applies to you:
I want to apply for RPL before I apply for Bradford
Email the Admissions team about Recognition of Prior Learning if you are not a current student at the University of Bradford.
I am a current student in the Faculty of Health and Social Care
There are 3 teams supporting this Faculty.
Email the School of Pharmacy, Optometry and Medical Sciences programme administration team about Recognition of Prior Learning if you are studying a course from these areas including the health and life foundation, the medicine foundation, Master of Physician Associate Studies, chemistry, biomedical science and clinical sciences. Please note that Forensic Sciences are managed by the School of Law and Social Sciences team and that Clinical/Renal Technology is managed by the School of Computing and Engineering team.
Email the School of Nursing, Public Health and Healthcare Leadership programme administration team about Recognition of Prior Learning if you are studying a course from these areas or in applied dementia studies.
Email the School of Allied Health Professions, Midwifery and Social Work programme administration team about Recognition of Prior Learning if you are studying a course from any other health and social care subject area/occupation such as radiography, physiotherapy, midwifery, social work, occupational therapy or paramedic science.
I am a current student in the Faculty of Management, Sciences and Engineering
There are 4 programme administration teams supporting this Faculty.
Email the MBA Operations Team about Recognition of Prior Learning if you are currently studying towards an MBA.
Email the School of Management Programme Administration team about Recognition of Prior Learning if you are currently studying any other programme within the School of Management (such as accounting, business, applied Artificial Intelligence and data analytics for business, finance, logistics, or marketing).
Email the School of Computing and Engineering Programme Administration team about Recognition of Prior Learning for their programmes. As well as computer science and engineering courses, this team supports architectural, space and clinical technology, animation and games, film and media and other artificial intelligence courses.
Email the School of Law and Social Sciences Programme Administration team about Recognition of Prior Learning for any other courses in this area including archaeology, forensics, the foundation year and Pre-sessional English. Please note that Social Work, Social Care and Working with Children programmes have moved to the Faculty of Health and Social Care from September 2025, so this address won't be able to help with those courses.
I am a current student at the International College (UBIC)
Email the UBIC Administration Team for advice about recognition of prior learning.
Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning
PDF document (Updated 2020)
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