Accreditation of Certificated Learning

Do you have credit from another institution that you think could count as credit towards a UEL award?

If so, you need to apply for ACL (Accreditation of Certificated Learning). This is for prior learning for which you already have a certificate or transcript.

Which qualifications are accepted?

The qualification can be from a UK HEI, or an overseas institution.  You can check the equivalence of overseas awards using the UK NARIC website http://www.naric.org.uk/

The principles that apply to AEL (Accreditation of Experiential Learning) also generally apply to certificated learning. Your certificated learning should be:

1. Relevant

The learning must be relevant to the programme on you wish to study. It is up to the programme leader or programme admissions tutor to decide whether your prior learning is sufficiently relevant to your programme. You may be asked to demonstrate how your learning matches the learning outcomes for modules for which you wish to claim credit.

2. Evidenced & Authentic

You will be required to provide certificated evidence (for example module specifications, transcripts, award descriptors) that demonstrate the ways in which the learning outcomes of the modules for which you are claiming have been met.

3. Recent

As with experiential learning, certificated learning must be recent, up-to-date and remembered. Generally, learning gained in the last five years is acceptable, although in some areas, such as computer technology, government policy and professional practice regulations, change in knowledge happens very fast. You should be prepared to demonstrate the steps you have taken to keep your knowledge up-to-date (e.g. through reading, professional development activities or courses).

4. Sufficient

Your certified learning must be sufficient to meet the learning aims of the modules for which you are applying (or the UEL level descriptor if you are applying for a whole level). If your learning does not quite meet these criteria, you may wish to supplement your claim using AEL. In such cases, your claim would be dealt with as an AEL claim.

What can I apply for?

You can apply for credit for individual modules or for whole levels of study.

If you are applying for a module, you will need to check the programme specification to check whether it is a core module or optional to your programme of study.

If the module is a core module you will need to demonstrate that your certified learning meets all of the learning outcomes for the module.  If you do not know what the learning outcomes are, you can ask your programme leader.

If the module is an option module, you can apply for general credit.  Your learning will be mapped against the UEL level descriptor.

If you wish to apply for credit for a whole level, you can apply for general credit.  Your learning will be mapped against the UEL level descriptor.

What is a level descriptor?

Learning takes place at many different levels. For example, the learning required to obtain a GSCE in Biology is very different in scope and depth from the learning required to obtain a PhD in Biology. The different levels of learning, as specified by the UK National Qualifications Framework, are illustrated by the table below:

The UEL level descriptors (based on the FHEQ - Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) describe the learning outcomes which a student should be able to demonstrate for the award of a qualification at each level of higher education. For example, in order to complete the first year of an undergraduate degree, a student will normally be expected to be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with their area(s) of study
• evaluate and interpret underlying concepts and principles within the context of their area(s) of study;
• present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data;
• develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts of their subject(s) of study;
• evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to their area(s) of study and/or work;
• undertake further training and develop new skills within a structured and managed environment.

You can find the level descriptors for all UEL awards in the Manual of General Regulations:

http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/manual/documents/PART1-Descriptions-Amended-November2007.DOC

It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with these level descriptors before applying for general credit.

Exceptions

Please note that it may not be possible to claim credit towards some qualifications which are accredited by professional bodies (for example in Law, Psychology or Social Work etc).  If in doubt please ask your programme leader or programme admissions tutor.

How much credit can I apply for?

You can apply for up to two thirds of the total credit of your programme using ACL.  For example, if you already have a Foundation Degree then you might be able to count this as credit for years one and two of a relevant three-year bachelors degree.  (You do not need to use ACL if you are on a programme that already allows entry with advanced standing to a named UEL award).

Double counting of credit should be avoided. Once credit has been granted for specific learning, the same learning cannot normally be used to gain credit towards any other programme, except for a higher level study.

How do I apply?

In the first instance, contact your programme leader or programme admissions tutor.

You can apply for ACL prior to entry to a programme, or while you are studying. Where the claim is against an entire stage of a programme, e.g. level one of an undergraduate degree, application must be made prior to entry.

You will be required to provide certificated evidence (for example module specifications, transcripts, award descriptors) that demonstrate the ways in which the learning outcomes of specified modules, or the programme level, have been met. This will be mapped against the UEL level descriptor for general credit or module learning outcomes (ILOs) for specific credit. The decision is made by the relevant programme leader or programme admissions tutor.

If you are a funded full-time student or international student you should first check whether ACL will affect your status before making a claim. This is because the award of credit may change your status from full-time to part-time.

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