1. Definitions
Exemption
‘The facility for a learner to claim exemption from some of the achievement requirements of a QCF qualification, using evidence of certificated, non-QCF achievement deemed to be of equivalent value.’
Equivalent Unit/s
‘A unit/units from a different qualification or submitted by another recognised organisation that is/are deemed to be of equivalent value and so can count towards a qualification in place of designated mandatory or optional units from it.’
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
‘A method of assessment that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they already possess and do not need to develop through a course of learning.’[1]
2. Audience
2.1 The intended audience for this document is:
- OCN staff
- Centre staff responsible for Quality Assurance
- Assessors
- Internal Verifiers
- Quality Reviewers and External Verifiers
- Key stakeholders involved in qualification development
- Qualifications Regulators
2.2 This policy applies to:
Qualifications approved under the QCF
Units approved by Open College Network London Region (OCNLR)
3. Policy
OCNLR seeks to enable learners to avoid duplication of learning and assessment for the purposes of awarding credit. There are three ways that this can be managed; exemption, equivalency and recognition of prior learning:
3.1 Exemption
Exemption is the recognition of certificated, non-QCF achievement; for example, certificated NQF achievement. Exemptions are not recognised by the award of credit and appear on certificates without a credit value.
3.2 Equivalency
Equivalency is the transfer of credit from a unit, or units, from within QCF. To be counted as an equivalency a unit must have the same credit value (or greater) and be at the same level (or higher) than the unit, or units, to be claimed. Equivalencies are not recognised by the award of credit and appear on certificates without a credit value.
Acceptable exemptions and equivalencies will be included in the rules of combination of a qualification.
3.3 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the recognition of non-certificated learning towards a full (not partial) unit or qualification. The RPL process must be negotiated with the centre and must be claimed as part of a course. The centre is responsible for assessment and claiming credit. There is no difference between achievement of the required standards by RPL and achievement through a formal programme of study, therefore RPL appears on certificates as credit-bearing.
There are three ways of recognising prior learning which may be open to the learner:
Route 1 – Submit a portfolio of evidence based on previous relevant knowledge, skills and competences which must be assessed against the assessment criteria of the unit(s) for which RPL is being sought to ensure that all learning outcomes have been achieved.
Route 2 – Undertake the same assessments as learners following a formal course of learning and assessment that lead to award of the unit or qualification. The assessments may be undertaken without attending teaching sessions.
Route 3 – Assessment through a summative assessment against a unit or full qualification.
It is important to note that RPL is an alternative route to achievement and not an easy option or shortcut. Evidence must be produced for RPL which is subject to the same assessment and quality assurance requirements as applied to evidence produced as part of a course.
4. Currency
Prior learning and achievement must be current to be used by the learner, which will normally be within the last three years. For exemptions and equivalencies, this means three years start from the date of the original award to the point at which the learner registers with the centre on the course for which the claim will be made. Credit awarded as part of exemption, equivalency or RPL cannot be carried forward beyond three years from the original award.
5. Restrictions on Recognition
OCNLR is a learner-centred Awarding Organisation and aims to ensure that certificates must be meaningful and valuable for learners and other stakeholders. To support this aim, the following guidelines will be applied to the rules of combination for a qualification to restrict recognition of prior learning and achievement:
For exemption and equivalency:
A maximum of 70% of a qualification can normally be achieved through exemption or equivalency. At least 30% should be gained through new learning.
60% of credit within a qualification will normally be achieved at the level of the qualification.
For RPL:
RPL can be used to claim full units and qualifications. However, OCNLR reserves the right to exclude the use of RPL in cases such as:
· licence to practice
· health and safety requirements
· regulated professions
· work placements.
Additionally, RPL cannot be used where units and qualifications are subject to external assessment.
6. Procedure for RPL
6.1 OCNLR advocates the QCDA six-stage procedure for RPL as set out below.[2] The process of RPL involves learners from the moment they consider making a claim and supports them through to the result of the assessment. Centres are required to notify OCNLR about claims for credit through RPL and are required to keep records of RPL for three years.
Stage 1: General awareness about claiming credit – information, advice and guidance
Once individuals have made a decision to reflect on their learning they will need to know about:
· the process of claiming credit through RPL
· the sources of professional support and guidance available to individuals and employers
· the administrative processes for RPL applications
· timelines, appeals processes and any fees and subsidies.
Stage 2: Pre-assessment – gathering evidence and giving information
An individual may decide to make his or her learning visible and to claim credit. This stage is vital to ensure that the learner is fully informed of the RPL process and has sufficient support to make a viable claim and to make decisions about evidence collection and presentation for assessment. During this stage the learner will carry out the evidence collection and develop an
assessment plan. The evidence required for the award of credit will depend on the purpose, learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the relevant unit(s) within the QCF.
Stage 3: Assessment/documentation of evidence
Assessment as part of RPL and within the QCF is a structured process for gathering and reviewing evidence and making judgments about a learner’s prior learning and experience in relation to unit standards.
Assessment must be valid and reliable to ensure the integrity of units and qualifications and the RPL system as a whole. The assessment process for RPL must be subject to the same quality assurance processes of awarding organisations as any other part of the assessment process.
Stage 4: Awarding credit
OCNLR is responsible for awarding credit and issuing certificates. The procedure is the same as for other forms of assessment.
Stage 5: Feedback
After the assessment the assessor will need to give feedback to the learner, discussing the results and giving support and guidance on the options available to the learner, which may include, for example, further learning and development.
Stage 6: Appeal
If learners wish to appeal against a decision made about their claim for credit they would need to follow the standard appeals processes that exist within the centre.
7. Procedure for Exemptions and Equivalencies
7.1 Exemptions and equivalencies are included in the rules of combination for a qualification, and centres must register learners against the appropriate exemption and/or equivalency unit(s). Claims for credit are made through the usual Recommendation for the Award of Credit process.
7.2 Centres are required to keep records of valid claims through exemptions and equivalencies for three years.
8. Policy Responsibility and Review
8.1 OCNLR will review the policy and procedure biennially and revise it as
and when necessary in response to customer and stakeholder feedback, changes in practice, requirements of the Qualifications Regulators or external agencies or changes in legislation. The review will ensure that procedures continue to be consistent with the regulatory criteria and are applied properly and fairly.
Learner Registration Form -
Appendix 1
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Section 1
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Exemption/Equivalents
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Learner Name
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Qualification Learner is aiming to achieve (including level)
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ULN
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Unit Title and QCA code of unit within the Qualification the learner is exempt from completing
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Unit title and QCA code of unit previously achieved by learner which will be used as an exemption/equivalent
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Learner Name
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ULN
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Unit Title and QCA code of unit being completed through RPL
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[1] Regulatory arrangements for the Qualifications and Credit Framework August 2008, Glossary pages 38-43
[2] Claiming credit: Guidance on the recognition of prior learning within the Qualifications and Credit Framework 2008