Prior Learning
Accreditation

Recognition of Prior Learning
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Exemption from Subjects/Stages

The philosophy underlying RPL is to enable and encourage people to enter or re-enter formal education, leading to qualifications, by awarding or recognising credit for what they already know from the course curriculum. This learning may have occurred through attendance on other certified programmes, known as Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL). Or, it may have occurred through work, paid or voluntary or through life experience, known as Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). The onus is on the student to demonstrate their prior learning, by preparing and submitting adequate evidence, under the guidance and advice of the institute. Both are regarded as part of RPL.

 

Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL)

If you have previously completed formal academic study you may be exempt from certain modules or stages in a related academic programme.

For example if you have previously completed a Higher Certificate in Arts, which contains modules such as Financial Accounting and Human Resource Management, and you now wish to pursue a Higher Certificate in Business Studies, you can have your previous syllabus reviewed, and if the Learning Outcomes are comparable you may be granted an exemption from these subjects. This means that you will not need to be examined in these subjects again.

There is a non-refundable exemption application fee of €50 per module which is payable on application for the exemptions. The closing date for exemption application for new entrants into year one of a programme is Friday 18th August 2017. For registered and attending students there is a closing date of Friday 2nd June 2017.

For further details on making an exemption application please contact the Department of Lifelong Learning.

 

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) 

Recognising Your Previous Work and Learning

Are you an adult learner with experience in the workplace? If so, APEL can get you a ‘headstart’ in your desired programme of study, through exemptions and advanced entry.

Through APEL, AIT ensures that you can get credit for what you have already completed.

What is APEL?
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is the system for crediting students for “on the job” learning, through training (certified or non-certified) or
through a variety of other sources.

Hundreds of mature learners have benefited from this system to date.

For example if you have previously worked as a manager for a minimum of five years, perhaps you will be exempt from the management module in year 1 of a relevant course. If so, you will need to apply for the exemption and demonstrate that you have in fact completed the relevant learning outcomes. If the Learning Outcomes are deemed comparable you may be granted an exemption from the subject. This means that you will not need to be examined in this subject again. An individual could similarly apply for an Information Technology or Financial Accounting or Mechanics or Biology exemption based on their previous experiential learning.

There is a non-refundable exemption application fee of €200 per module which is payable on application for the exemptions. This is to cover the cost of the assessment and work involved in bringing you through the APEL process.

The closing date for APEL exemption applications is three months in advance of the commencement date of the course that you wish to study. This is required in order that you are given sufficient time to prepare your portfolio and that it can be assessed accordingly.

Details of module learning outcome are available from the Department of Lifelong Learning and these should be consulted prior to applying for an APEL exemption. For further details on making an exemption application please contact the Department of Lifelong Learning.

For further details on making an Accreditation of Prior Learning application please contact the Department of Lifelong Learning.