Recognition of prior learning (RPL) refers to procedures by which a student's previous competence can be assessed and accepted as a part of their studies. The recognition allows students to have their credits counted towards their degree if they can demonstrate that they have gained the knowledge and skills defined by the university in the intended learning outcomes. The competence may be based on previous studies, or it may have been acquired in some other manner.
The national RPL recommendations were approved at the UNIFI meeting of Vice Rectors of Education. The recommendations and their justifications are recorded in the final report of the RPL Working Group (31 March 2020, pdf). This decision discusses the recommendations and the University of Eastern Finland's specifications to them.
These guidelines replace the academic rector's previous decisions on RPL policies at the University of Eastern Finland (Dnros 861/12.00.00.00/2010 and 1052/12.12 01.02.04/2012 and Dnro 906/12.01.02.04/2016 22.6.2016). The decision enters into force on 1 August 2021. The provisions will be applied to curricula from 1 August 2022 onwards at the latest.
Separate guidelines will be given on how the recognition of prior learning will be processed and on how it relates to Peppi’s practices. For additional information, please contact Satu Kouki, Head of Student Services, satu.kouki@uef.fi, tel. +358 50 3230 870.
The identification and recognition of prior learning refers to various procedures by which a student's previous competence can be assessed and accepted as a part of their studies. Identification refers to the assessment of competence in its various forms while recognition refers to procedures that result in a registration of a study attainment or a credit transfer on the basis of previously acquired competence.
In addition to formal learning in formal education, competence may be acquired through non-formal learning (continuing professional education, liberal adult education etc.) or informal learning (e.g. work experience, positions of trust, hobbies). The identification and recognition of a student's learning is based on the intended learning outcomes of the degree and its parts (study modules, courses).
Accreditation refers to accepting a student's completed studies, practical training, work experience or some other competence as part of a degree, study module or course. This requires that the studies the student has completed elsewhere or the prior skills they possess correspond to the intended learning outcomes set for the degree or its components. The forms of credit transfer are inclusion and substitution.
Inclusion refers to the inclusion of a course or a study module that has been completed elsewhere in the degree as is. Substitution refers to substituting a curricular course or its part on the basis of the student's studies or other competences.
A competence demonstration allows a student verify their competence in a way that it can be assessed. Competence demonstration is an alternative method of completing a course, described in the curriculum. A competence demonstration is used when the direct recognition of prior learning is not possible by means of a substitution or when the recognition of prior learning otherwise requires a separate assessment of the student's competence. A competence demonstration can be a written account of skills acquired (a portfolio with work and training certificates), an interview, a test or some other form of competence assessment. A competence demonstration will be assessed using grades which are in accordance with Section 31 of the Study Regulations. After passing a competence demonstration, the student will receive credits for the relevant course or its part, the completion date of the course being the date of the competence demonstration. The unit responsible for teaching the course is responsible for assessing the competence demonstration.
Accreditation of learning demonstrated in some other manner means that the competence that a student acquires outside the university through means other than studying is documented, identified and recognised as part of the degree pursued. It is possible to discuss how competence-producing activities (e.g. work or hobbies) could contribute to the achievement of learning objectives even before such activities are carried out. Differing from the recognition of prior learning, the accreditation of learning demonstrated in some other manner is agreed prior to acquiring a competence (e.g. starting work). (Glossary of Education (OKSA) 2nd edition, Publications of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland 2021:10.)
In cross-institutional studies, a student completes studies at another university on the basis of their right to study at their home university. The network agreement on the teaching cooperation of higher education institutions determines the groups of students that have the right to cross-institutional studies. These groups may include degree students, open university students, exchange students and other groups of students defined in the agreement. Studies completed under the network agreement are usually accepted as a part of a degree or studies without a separate credit transfer procedure. The network agreement defines the reimbursement price of a credit received from another university between higher education institutions. (Glossary of Education (OKSA) 2nd edition, Publications of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland 2021:10.)
The recognition of prior learning is based on the equivalence of the student's competence and the intended learning outcomes set for a degree or its part. An entire degree cannot be awarded by means of credit transfers, however. The identification and recognition of prior learning shall be conducted in such a way that the professional qualifications produced by the degree are not compromised. When it comes to recognising the level and scope of studies, it is recommended that the units responsible for teaching follow national and international practices as well as recommendations and principles specific to the discipline and field of study.
The student has the right to receive guidance which will help them identify and recognise their competence. The recognition process must be linked to the student's guidance (e.g. personal study plans), so that the effects of the decision on studies can be taken into account.
The student has the obligation to demonstrate their proficiency with, for example, study certificates, a competence demonstration, an interview or a proficiency portfolio. An additional study attainment may be required of the student in the event that essential the intended learning outcomes of the course are not otherwise achieved.
It is possible to apply for the accreditation of a single course or study module only once on the same grounds in one degree. If the student later acquires more proficiency corresponding to their learning outcomes, they may apply for credit transfer again. The competence demonstrations of the Language Centre are laid down in the curriculum.
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The Universities Act (558/2009, Section 44) and the Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004, Section 25) state the following on the recognition of study attainments: “When studying for a degree or when completing a professional specialisation programme, the student may, as determined by the university, have studies that he or she has completed in another Finnish or foreign higher education institution or other educational establishment counted towards the degree; the student may also substitute previous studies for studies in the degree requirements if the prior studies are of an equivalent level. The student may, as determined by the university, have their knowledge and skills attested in some other manner and counted towards the degree and substitute studies in the degree requirements with the knowledge and skills attested.”
Under Section 1 of the University of Eastern Finland Study Regulations, the Rector decides on the general policies for lower university, higher university and postgraduate degrees after consulting the faculties. Under Section 39 of the Study Regulations, studies completed elsewhere or prior learning demonstrated in some other manner may be counted towards a university degree. This shall require that the studies completed elsewhere or prior learning correspond to the learning objectives set for the degree and its components. Under Section 9 of Study Regulations, the Faculty Council is responsible for deciding on the curricula (including the principles for inclusion of studies completed at another university or educational institution) and degree requirements. Information on the criteria for credit transfers shall be included in the curriculum of a degree programme (Section 20 of the Study Regulations).
The unit responsible for teaching the course or study module decides on the substitution of studies. If no decision has otherwise been made, the decision on the substitution of a course will be made by the teacher in charge of the course and the decision on the substitution of a study module will be made the person in charge of the academic subject. The decision-making can be delegated.
Inclusion: If equivalent teaching is organised at the University, the unit responsible for teaching the course or study module and the person in charge of the academic subject will decide on the inclusion. If no equivalent teaching is organised at the University, the Head of the student's major subject or the School/Department providing the teaching will decide on the inclusion. The decision-making can be delegated.
The credit transfers of pedagogical studies completed at the University of Applied Sciences are decided by the Philosophical Faculty and, in the case of teacher training in health sciences, by the Faculty of Health Sciences.
A student who is dissatisfied with the decision concerning the credit transfer can request oral or written rectification from the person who made the decision within fourteen (14) days of receiving notification of the decision. A student dissatisfied with the decision concerning the request for rectification may submit an appeal to the University of Eastern Finland’s Board of Appeal in writing within 14 days of receiving notice of the decision. The Board of Appeal’s decision is not subject to appeal.