Accreditation for Prior Learning
Print this pageWhat is APEL?
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is a process that enables people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to receive formal recognition for skills and knowledge they already possess and offers the opportunity to gain university credits for experience gained through work, voluntary work and leisure related activities. In order to gain credit through APEL you have to produce evidence, which will reflect on the learning that has taken place through work, which may include short courses eg Health & Safety, Food Handling, experiences such as chairing a meeting, interviewing, preparing literature or organising a small gathering / event.
Who is it for?
APEL is open to anyone who may, over a period of time, have acquired skills or knowledge in one or several areas without necessarily receiving formal training or qualifications. You may be employed but would like to further your career or, you may be unemployed and seeking a new direction. In either case APEL may have something to offer you.
What can be accredited?
Your past learning and practical achievements can be given credit as long as you can provide sufficient evidence to show that you meet the standards of the qualifications you would be gaining.
What counts for the qualification?
Any evidence that shows you have reliably demonstrated the skills and / or knowledge to the required standard. For example, you may have produced a computer program or taken photographs of work you have produced.
What do I do?
You will need to come to college to meet with an APEL tutor. This will be an individual interview (probably one hour) to discuss your particular requirements and how you can go forward to be credited towards your qualification. At the initial interview you can expect to explore your strengths with the help of an APEL tutor, decide what you are going to do and then start to prepare for the assessment of your learning to date. Most of the work for this will be done at home. It may be that you require one or two further interviews before you finally agree what you intend to do for your portfolio.
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is used to describe the presentation or file in which you will present all of the details and evidence necessary for your learning to be assessed.
Why do I need a portfolio?
You need a portfolio to assist you in organising your learning into a form that will help experts assess your level or skill. This material could prove very valuable to you in any further job application so care needs to be taken when putting it together.
Who will assess my learning?
Your evidence will be assessed by a subject expert. (There may be more than one if you are seeking accreditation in several areas.) You will discuss your evidence with this specialist, so be aware that before you present it you can be expect to be asked in-depth questions to prove that it is valid. You will often be asked probing questions to prove that you actually produced the items yourself. When evidence is produced for the purpose of proving a practical skill you can expect to undergo a testing of some, or all of that skill either at your workplace, or at College. Some areas of knowledge may require a written test. The same evidence may be acceptable as proof of learning in more than one area.
How will APEL be assessed?
The portfolio of evidence, which could include a reflective account, reports, assignments or a presentation, will be assessed. This will be carried out by matching the evidence to the course learning outcomes. The evidence has to be valid, reliable, authentic, and still relevant to current practice.
How are qualification level and credits identified?
The qualification level and credits will be identified through matching the learning against the learning outcomes for a specific module or general level ‘descriptors’
How can this help you?
The APEL award can lead to university credits that could gain entry to a Higher Education course or credits towards a recognised qualification.
When can I start the process?
You can start the process at any time.
What support can I get?
The APEL tutor will guide you through the process, helping you to understand the language of APEL and how to build your portfolio.
What are the benefits of APEL?
You will have the opportunity to gain entry to a Higher Education course; you could even gain entry to Year 2 or 3 of a course instead of starting from the beginning or exemption from specific modules while recognising the value of your work experience. It may also reduce the time spent working towards a Higher Education qualification.
Who do I contact?
APEL Officer
01246 520269
