Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy

Introduction

1. Northeastern University London (the University) recognises that learning can take place in a variety of contexts and be achieved in many ways. The University will award credit to those students who can satisfactorily demonstrate, in terms of currency, depth, breadth and volume, that they have achieved the equivalent of the course/level/stage learning outcomes as defined by the named award they are enrolling on or have enrolled on.
2. The University is therefore committed to the principle of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) whereby appropriate learning, wherever it occurs, may be recognised for academic credit towards an award, provided that learning can be assessed and deemed equivalent to the stated learning outcomes.
3. This Policy outlines the processes involved with undergraduate and postgraduate students transferring to the University from other Higher Education Providers (HEP) and students transferring from the University to another HEP. It provides information on the transfer process and how to make an RPL claim.

Definitions

RPL Principles

4. In line with its mission, strategic plan and educational principles, the University’s approach to RPL is flexible, student-centered and based on learning outcomes.
5. Credit awarded for prior certified experiential learning is of equal credit value to that acquired through completion of University taught provision. This includes learning achieved in the workplaces as part of the University’s commitment to employer engagement.
6. Credits may be given for prior learning where the level, standard, content, relevance and currency of that learning are appropriate to a particular programme of study. Credit may be awarded via RPL for:
   1. Individual courses (noting that RPL can only be awarded for whole courses).
   2. Where the applicant or student can demonstrate that they meet the assessment requirements for the course through knowledge, understanding and/or skills that they already possess as a result of prior learning.
   3. For an entire level of study (i.e. 120 credits), where the applicant or student can demonstrate that they meet the assessment requirements for the relevant level of study through knowledge, understanding and/or skills that they already possess as a result of prior learning.
7. All applications for the award of credit through RPL, including those arising from internal transfers, are subject to formal academic scrutiny and are the responsibility of the relevant Progression Award Boards.
8. The University’s approach for the award of RPL is based on the achievement of equivalent, not identical, learning outcomes. This means that the learning achieved should be equivalent in terms of the level, breadth, depth, volume and currency.
9. RPL is awarded against the achievement of learning outcomes. However, credit can only be awarded for whole courses/levels/stages. In cases where a student can demonstrate partial achievement of the learning outcomes for a course/level/stage, an agreed assessment strategy for how they will make good the missing learning outcomes must be determined.
10. The University only considers RPL applications for complete courses/levels/stages. If the evidence provided by the student covers only some but not all of the course/level/stage learning outcomes, then the student, at the discretion of the relevant Head of Faculty/Programme Director, may be offered the opportunity to make good the missing learning outcomes and achieve the credit which will be classified as RPL. ‘Making good’ on missing learning outcomes will most likely take the form of the student attending and auditing a first-year course, but this should be agreed by the student and Head of Faculty/Programme Director.

RPL and Credit Transfer Limits

11. The University believes that it provides a distinctive student learning experience, characterized by its educational principles and practices and the ethos and value of its awards. As such, it has set minimum limits on the proportion of study that a student must undertake at the University in order to be eligible for a degree awarded by the University:
    1. For undergraduate degrees, a student must study at least 240 credits at the University.
    2. For postgraduate degrees, students can apply for RPL for up to a maximum of one half of credits points (90 credits) and would be required to study the remaining half of the credits at the University (including their dissertation).

Transferring to the University from Another HEP

12. If a student from another HEP is considering transferring to the University, they should:
    1. Check that they meet the entry criteria for the programme they wish to transfer to.
    2. Contact the University admissions team to express their interest in transferring and find out if there are spaces on the programme they wish to join. Alternatively, students can apply directly through UCAS as there is the option to apply for second-year entry.
13. As per the Admissions Policy, the University considers all applications on a case-by-case basis. It will consider past and predicted academic achievements as well as evidence of an applicant’s ability, skills, interests, motivation and potential.
14. Students have the opportunity to transfer within level/stage (transfer to the University within the academic year without re-doing their application). In order to do so, students need to:
    1. Find out how the implications of a transfer on student finance or student visas (if applicable).
    2. Submit their request to transfer within the first five weeks of Michaelmas term. Applications submitted after this date will not normally be accepted.
15. Students have the opportunity to transfer to the University after their first year of undergraduate study. They will not be permitted to transfer to the University after their second year of undergraduate study. This is because they need to have completed 240 credits at the University in order to graduate.

NCH Diploma

16. The full NCH Diploma, core courses and LAUNCH, is only available to students who complete their first year of study at the University.
17. Students who transfer to the University in their second year will be eligible for the LAUNCH Enrichment Certificate, provided they complete all required learning and assessments.

Applying for RPL

18. Applicants should normally apply for RPL as part of the admissions process. Potential applicants who may be eligible for RPL should be made aware of the opportunities available, and associated timescales, as part of the recruitment and admissions process. RPL may be awarded at other points during a student’s period of study at the discretion of the Head of Faculty/Programme Director (for example where an enrolled student is studying part-time and gains relevant learning experience through employment in parallel to their academic studies).
19. Applicants and students should be encouraged to submit RPL applications in a timely manner, to enable RPL decisions to be made prior to the commencement of the element(s) of the course for which they are seeking exemption.
20. Claims for RPL must be in the form of a portfolio. The portfolio, which must be in English, will vary depending on the nature of the claim, but the evidence supplied must be mapped against specific course or level learning outcomes. For instance, evidence of prior certificated learning might include relevant certificated, course documentation and results. In the case of experiential learning, experience per se is not grounds for awarding credit; the experience must be converted to the learning achieved and documented and mapped against the course or level learning outcomes. Evidence might include a systemic personal reflection, details of specialist training, or a record of achievements. Students are encouraged to seek guidance from Student Support and Development prior to submitting an application for RPL.
21. Students applying to transfer to the University, the relevant Head of Faculty/Programme Director makes the decision regarding the transfer, and thus is responsible for assessing an RPL claim.

Assessing an RPL Claim

22. Determining whether a student has demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes is an academic judgment. The overall level of achievement should be equivalent to that required to pass a course/level.
23. Claims should be assessed by the appropriate Head of Faculty/Programme Director. The evidence provided for RPL claims will be judged on:
    1. Acceptability: is the learning evidenced equivalent to the course/level/stage learning outcomes and is the evidence valid and reliable?
    2. Sufficiency: is there sufficient evidence that the learning is at the right level, volume and breadth to meet the learning outcomes claims?
    3. Authenticity: is the evidence clearly related to the claimant’s own efforts and achievements?
    4. Currency: does the evidence relate to current learning? Does it meet course validation and/or professional, statutory and regulatory bodies time limits in terms of currency of prior learning?
24. The RPL portfolio will be reviewed to determine whether to:
    1. Award the credit/level as claimed.
    2. Accept the claim and the strategy for making good the missing learning outcomes.
    3. Reject the claim.
    4. Exceptionally, refer the claim for further information.

Appeal Against an RPL Decision

25. An applicant has the right to appeal the decision and should put their appeal, including new information, in writing to the Registrar, no later than 10 working days from the date of when the decision was communicated to the applicant.
26. The new information will be reviewed by the Registrar and Head of Faculty/Programme Director and a decision will be reached and communicated to the applicant within 10 working days of receiving the appeal letter. This decision will be final.

Recording RPL on a Transcript

27. Credits awarded by means of RPL will be assigned against the equivalent courses and will be recorded as ‘Pass’ and included on the student’s transcript.

Transferring From the University to Another HEP

28. A student who is considering transferring to another HEP should:
    1. Contact the University or University and find out if they accept transfers and if there are spaces on the programme they want to join.
    2. Ensure they meet the entry criteria for the programme they wish to transfer to.
    3. Find out whether they are able to transfer into the second or third year of a different programme. The provider may be able to accept the credits awarded by the University as RPL.
    4. Obtain a transcript from the University of the marks and credits awarded for the courses they have already completed.
29. Arrange a meeting with the Head of Faculty/Programme Director to discuss their decision.
30. The student should arrange a meeting with Student Support and Development for further information, advice and guidance.
31. A Tier 4 and Student Route Visa student should arrange a meeting with the Visa and Immigration Compliance Manager to discuss the implications for their visa.
32. A student who still wishes to transfer to another provider after discussing their proposal must complete a Withdrawal Form and submit it by email to sas@nchlondon.ac.uk.
33. Student Support and Development will arrange an exit interview with the student.
34. The Registrar will confirm the withdrawal in writing.

Implications to Consider

Financial

35. If a student is in receipt of financial support from the Student Loans Company (SLC) or the Student Awards Agency of Scotland (SAAS), a withdrawal from studies has a number of consequences on a student’s entitlement to support.
36. Should a student return to higher education in the future, a student will be treated as a new student and will be assessed for the student support package available in the year of re-entry into education; this will include the relevant new entrant fee.
37. Furthermore, a student will be assessed as already having utilised some of their student support entitlement which could affect the level of support they receive in the future.
38. The University will inform the SLC or SAAS when a transfer to another provider has been processed, but a student can also contact the SLC or SAAS themselves to inform them of their change of circumstance.
39. For fees paid to the University, a student should consult the Terms and Conditions and Cancellation, Withdrawal, Refund and Compensation Policy under which they accepted an offer of a place to study at the University. The Financial Controller can offer guidance and will be available to discuss options with a student. If a student decides to withdraw from their studies, they may still be liable for fees at the University.

Tier 4 and Student Route Visa Students

40. The University is required to report to the Home Office if a Tier 4 or Student Route Visa student interrupts or withdraws from their studies. The Home Office will curtail their visa and they will be required to return home. To ensure that a student’s withdrawal from studies complies with the University and the Home Office regulations, a student is required to make an appointment with the Visa and Immigration Compliance Manager.
41. A student is not eligible to transfer to another programme within an academic year if they commenced their course anytime prior to September 2020. However, any student who started their course on or after September 2020, may be able to change their course subject to meeting UKVI requirements around change of course. The Visa and Immigration Compliance Manager can offer further information about this.

Accommodation

42. A student who lives in student or private rented accommodation should refer to the accommodation provider’s tenancy agreement and adhere to its procedures as they may need to notify the provider immediately that they are leaving their studies. A student may need to move out of their accommodation and may be liable for the remaining rent due on their tenancy agreement. For the purposes of Council Tax, a student withdrawing from their studies, must inform the local authority that they are no longer a student.

University Email

43. A student’s University email account will be terminated once their withdrawal/transfer to another provider has been processed. It is a student’s responsibility to obtain any emails and documents that they may need before this happens.

Further Advice

44. For general queries student transfer and RPL, please contact the Quality Team for more information.

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