TITLE:
Undergraduate APCL/APEL Procedure
VERSION:
2.0
AUTHOR:
Tricia McKenzie
Head of Quality & Academic Standards
CONSULTATION
TAKEN PLACE WITH:
HE Quality & Academic
Standards Committee
DATE:
May 2015
APPROVED BY:
Academic Board
DATE:
June 2015
DATE TO BE
REVIEWED:
July 2016
CONTENTS
1.
INTRODUCTION
3
2.
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION
4
3.
APCL FROM COMPETENCE-BASED COURSES
5
4.
APCL/APEL FROM OTHER UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
7
5.
THE PROCESS FOR CLAIMING APCL/APEL
10
6.
COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS
10
7.
EQUALITY IMPACT STATEMENT
10
8.
DOCUMENT CONTROL INCLUDING ARCHIVING ARRANGEMENTS
10
9.
STANDARDS/KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
11
APPENDIX A – APCL/APEL PROCESS FOR UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAMMES
12
Appendix B – CLAIM FORM FOR APCL/APEL APPLICATIONS TO
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
13
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1.
Introduction
1.1 Assessment and Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning [APCL] and Prior
Experiential Learning [APEL] is a process through which individuals can claim
recognition and accreditation for skills, knowledge and achievements they have
acquired or attained in a variety of ways, through previous education, in the
working environment, in leisure activities or in voluntary work.
1.2 APCL and APEL are systematic processes by which the prior achievement of
students on other Higher Education [HE] requirements is assessed and
credited. When considered together the acronym APCL/APEL is used.
1.3 APCL is defined as the assessment of previously acquired certificated learning.
APEL allows the assessment of experiential learning defined as the knowledge
and skills acquired through life experience, work experience or study not
formally attested through any educational or professional certification.
1.4 APCL and APEL processes focus on the aims and outcomes of learning and,
as such, concentrate on what individuals know and can do, not on the means
by which they acquired their learning.
1.5 Cleveland College of Art and Design [CCAD] is committed to developing
APCL/APEL, and it is the College’s policy to offer APCL/APEL to all potential
students where appropriate and within resource constraints. This will involve
the assessment of prior learning and experience with the aim of providing
guidance to identify and meet the needs of each person.
1.6 Potential applicants for APCL/APEL at the College fall into several different
categories:

those who are unsure of what they want to study and need help to
determine what might be the best course of action for them in terms of
career and personal development

those who know quite definitely what they want to study but are unsure as
to whether they have the necessary qualifications to meet the requirements
of a particular programme

those who want to follow a programme of study but feel that they may be
exempted from part of it because of their prior experience of certificated
learning

those who wish to gain accreditation and recognition for existing skills,
knowledge and achievement

those who need formal credit to enhance or develop their career prospects

those with previously certificated learning or work experience who wish to
use this to claim entry with advanced standing onto a programme of study
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1.7 For the purposes of this APCL/APEL Procedure, the term “applicant(s)” refers
to any persons making a claim for accreditation of prior learning and/or
experience in making an application to study on an HE programme within the
College.
1.8 This APCL/APEL Procedure does not supersede other policies and procedures
which relate to applicants. Where other policies and procedures include a
specific procedure for dealing with non-compliance, that procedure will be used.
1.9 The College will take reasonable steps to ensure that there is no unreasonable
delay in dealing with matters under this APCL/APEL Procedure. However, if at
any time it is not possible for the College to comply with the timescales set out
in this APCL/APEL Procedure, the applicant will be notified of the cause for
delay and informed of the likely timescale.
1.10 The College is committed to aiming to operate a fair, consistent and nondiscriminatory procedure in relation to all its students and potential students.
The College also recognises its obligations to disabled students and potential
students under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and will comply with these
obligations in the operation of this APCL/APEL Procedure.
2.
General guidelines and information
2.1 The College offers a range of HE programmes. To reflect this diversity, the
most appropriate approach to APCL/APEL will be taken according to each
individual programme. Potential student applicants are entitled to receive
information on APCL/APEL for their specific programme from the Programme
Leader.
2.2 All APCL/APEL applications made to the College must be in the language of
instruction, which is English.
2.3 Whilst the APCL/APEL application is being considered, potential students may,
at the discretion of the Programme Leader, sit in on programme activities, but
enrolment cannot be completed until the application has been successfully
completed and agreed.
2.4 The College commits to giving a decision to all APCL/APEL applications not
more than 20 working days after the receipt of an APCL/APEL application form
(with staff and student applicant sections fully completed). All forms should be
submitted to the Academic Registrar, who will forward them to the Chair of the
HE Quality & Academic Standards Committee [Q&AS] to initiate a process of
judgement.
2.5 In the event that an application is deemed not to be met, an applicant may
appeal against matters of process or treatment but not against matters which
are of academic judgement.
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2.6
In applying for APCL/APEL, the responsibility for providing full and appropriate
evidence lies with the applicant, but College staff will offer appropriate advice
and documentation to assist in the application.
2.7 The College does not charge a fee for the assessment of APCL/APEL but will
review this aspect of the APCL/APEL Procedure annually, depending on
demand for this method of entry onto a programme.
2.8 If accepted onto a CCAD programme in consequence of APCL/APEL entry,
enrolment will be confirmed and tuition fees charged in accordance with the
College’s fees and payment policy. This will normally mean that the student
pays the full tuition fee for the year of study.
2.9 The College’s validating body, Arts University Bournemouth [AUB], will provide
student transcripts on completion of the award. APCL/APEL credit will be
clearly identified on these transcripts.
2.10 For undergraduate students, the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations have
set minimum and maximum amounts of APCL/APEL that can be granted.
These are as follows:
2.10.1 The maximum credit awarded towards the fulfillment of a Certificate of
HE, a Diploma of HE, or an Honours Degree will not normally be more
than two-thirds of the total credit required for the award.
2.10.2 The minimum credit awarded will be equivalent to one module of study
which amounts to 20 credits for undergraduate awards.
2.10.3 A student cannot be awarded with partial credit for a module. However,
a student may be exempted from part of the assessment
requirement(s) for a module through APCL/APEL. On achieving the
remaining assessment requirement(s) the credit for the module may
then be awarded.
2.11 All successful APCL/APEL applications are recorded and made available to the
College Examination Boards, who should monitor the progress of APCL/APEL
applicants.
3.
APCL from competence-based courses
3.1 APCL – Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning
3.1.1
APCL is the process by which the prior achievement and experience of
applicants on NVQs and other competence-based courses are
assessed and accredited.
3.1.2
APCL allows the assessment of prior learning and experience acquired
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through work, study, voluntary or leisure activities. This may be
confirmed by certificates held or may be assessed through observation
of the applicant or the review of evidence presented by the applicant.
3.1.3
For competence-based courses, the process focuses on the outcomes
and products of learning and experience, and therefore concentrates
on what applicants know and can do, not on the means by which they
acquired the learning and experience.
3.2 General Principles
3.2.1
Applicants to the College will be made aware of the availability of APCL
and with advice and guidance from relevant people, will decide whether
to claim accreditation for prior learning and experience, or whether to
follow the whole programme of study, or whether to do a combination
of both. The initial advice process will determine the best option for the
individual applicant.
3.2.2
Those who opt for the whole programme will be enrolled and inducted
in the normal way and charged fees in accordance with the College’s
fees and payment policy. This will normally mean that the student pays
the full programme fee for the year of study.
3.2.3
Those who opt for part of a programme plus APCL will also be enrolled
as students of the College.
3.2.4
Those who decide to claim credit by APCL will: be made aware of the
process involved, including costs; will be encouraged to identify areas
of competence and sources of evidence; reflect on how to present
evidence and be guided through the process.
3.3 Sources of evidence
3.3.1
Evidence will normally be the product of natural performance in the
workplace or in a realistic work environment within the College for
work-based applicants who have difficulty in producing evidence for
certain aspects of the qualification. Help could be given in the following
ways:

A project or assignment will be set to cover the areas of deficiency

Applicants will be directed towards a module of learning on the
College programme leading to the required qualification (where
available)

Open learning will be recommended if appropriate
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
Applicants within an organisation will be encouraged to seek a
placement in the organisation in an area that covers the required
experience and skills
3.4 Summative assessment and verification – quality procedures
3.4.1
Summative assessment and initial verification will be carried out when
appropriate or at the end of the course.
3.4.2
External verification will take place according to awarding body
requirements and the external verifier’s schedule of visits.
3.5 Recording achievement
3.5.1
Records will be kept of all assessment decisions made and regular
assessor meetings will be held to monitor progress, discuss evidence
and record good practice.
3.5.2
When assessment decisions are verified, the Academic Registrar will
be informed so that records are kept up to date.
4. APCL/APEL from other undergraduate programmes
4.1 Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning [APCL] and Prior Experiential
Learning [APEL]
4.1.1
The requirement for learning outcomes to be specified in all modules or
module descriptions provides a basis from which to assess
achievement gained experientially as well as the specific credit which
should attach to an award gained in another place or at another time.
4.2 General principles
4.2.1
If the College is satisfied that an applicant has fulfilled some of the
progression and assessment requirements of a programme by means
other than attendance on the planned programme, and will be able, by
completing the remainder of the requirement, to fulfill the objectives of
the planned programme and attain the standard required for the award,
the applicant may be admitted to an appropriate point in the
programme. Specific credit allocated by APCL/APEL will not be used
for the purpose of determining honours classification on HE
programmes.
4.2.2
Where the College is satisfied that an applicant has fulfilled the
assessment requirements and met the learning outcomes of a
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particular module(s) by means other than attendance on the planned
programme, exemption will be given from the specific module(s) and
the appropriate credit awarded.
4.2.3
Applications for APCL/APEL and exemption, whether from individual
modules or a Level of study, will normally be considered prior to the
commencement of each Level of study or the start of the programme.
4.3 Assessment of Prior Certificated Learning [APCL]
4.3.1
Applicants who have completed the whole or part of a
course/programme of further or higher education at an institution in the
UK may be admitted with specific credit at an appropriate point on an
approved undergraduate programme of the College or given exemption
from individual module(s) as appropriate; this is subject to any limits
upon this set by awarding or validating bodies. This principle applies to
all programmes.
4.3.2
Specific credit is awarded when an individual’s prior qualifications are
accepted as identical – thus fulfilling the requirements of an approved
programme.
4.3.3
An applicant claiming credit for learning achieved through a formally
recognised programme of study must satisfy the Programme Leader
that their learning is still current. If the certificated learning was gained
more than 5 years previously, it will be out of date. Although, if an
applicant can demonstrate that they have continued to build upon the
learning through the circumstances of their employment, then
appropriate credit may be awarded. However, in subjects where rapid
changes in technology are significant to the conceptual and skills base
of the award, a period of less than 5 years might be appropriate. Such
decisions are academic judgements, which will be made by programme
academic staff who consider the APCL applications and who will
advise the applicants of such concerns.
4.3.4
APCL does not apply where holders of Unclassified degrees are
specifically debarred from seeking completion of Honours awards.
4.3.5
Assessment of APCL, and the records required to evidence it, are the
responsibility of academic staff and will be carried out in such a way as
to permit scrutiny by the HE Q&AS Committee and College
Examination Boards where necessary.
4.4 Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning [APEL]
4.4.1
Where an applicant’s prior uncertificated learning from experience
gained through paid employment, voluntary work, industrial training
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and individual study and be assessed with sufficient accuracy, it may
be used to give entry with specific credit.
4.4.3
For its undergraduate programmes, the College uses the following
guiding principles:

Responsibility rests with the applicant for make a claim to have
acquired knowledge and skills and for supporting the claim with
appropriate evidence based on the outcomes published in the
validated Programme Handbook

The learning derived from experience must be identified in order to
be assessed and related to specific module(s) on their proposed
programme

The identification of prior learning comes through systematic
reflection on experience, the writing of clear statements about what
was actually learned, and the collection and collation of evidence to
support those statements, in relation to the module(s) claimed.
Evidence may be provided:
-
directly in the form of artefacts, materials or systems designed,
written work or some other demonstrable concrete form, or
-
indirectly in the form of testimonials or references

The form of evidence required will vary between individuals and it
will be up to the receiving Programme Team to apply the
APCL/APEL procedure in relation to a particular programme of
study, and draw to the attention of the applicant the APCL/APEL
procedure

Credit will be awarded where the learning identified matches or is
equivalent to learning outcomes articulated in a module within an
approved programme of study – the learning must be deemed by
the Programme Leader to be at a standard equivalent to a pass
when applying the same assessment criteria specified in that
module

Additional evidence of newly acquired learning as a result of
undertaking tasks set by the College will be permitted in cases
where this evidence fails to match a small number of learning
outcomes that would otherwise attract the full credit for a module

All APEL assessment is on an academic assessment and is the
responsibility of academic staff and will be carried out, including the
records required to evidence it, in such a way as to permit scrutiny
by the HE Q&AS Committee and College Examination Boards.
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5.
The process for claiming APCL/APEL
5.1 APCL/APEL claims are submitted either through the applicant or by the
Programme Leader to the Academic Registrar, following verification by a Head
of School. The Academic Registrar logs the claim and passes it to the Chair of
the HE Q&AS Committee.
5.2 The HE Q&AS Committee makes a decision on behalf of the Academic Board
and these decisions are reported formally to the Academic Board to allow an
overview of the process.
5.3 Final responsibility for APCL/APEL decisions rest with the Academic Board,
who delegates this to the HE Q&AS Committee.
5.4 The academic approved form for claiming APCL/APEL credit is attached as an
appendix to this procedure and must be used for all claims for such credit.
6.
Complaints and appeals
6.1 Complaints about the application process for applicants seeking admission to a
programme with advanced standing will, as far as possible, be resolved
informally. When resolution is not achieved through the informal process, the
complaints procedure with the College’s Undergraduate Admissions Procedure
should be used.
6.2 Applications for APCL/APEL are subject to the Undergraduate Academic
Appeals Policy and therefore any applicant wishing to appeal against any
decision regarding an assessment outcome should use this policy. It should be
noted that there are no grounds for appeal against the academic judgement of
staff concerning the relevance, currency or level of any prior achievement for
which accreditation is claimed.
7.
Equality Impact Statement
7.1. This procedure will be implemented in line with the principles of the College’s
commitment to equality and diversity which are: Cleveland College of Art and
Design is committed to the principles of equality and diversity and aims to
ensure that all employees and College users are treated fairly and equally
regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil
partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual
orientation.
8.
Document control including archiving arrangements
8.1 This Undergraduate APCL/APEL Procedure may be amended by resolution of
the Academic Board from time to time. It is the responsibility of the Vice
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Principal (Academic) to ensure that all documents which include this HE
APCL/APEL Procedure carry the most current version.
8.2 Programme Leaders will maintain all records of evidencing the assessment of
APEL.
8.3 The Academic Registrar will maintain a record of all APCL/APEL applications,
and their outcomes. Apart from providing the College with information about the
use of this Undergraduate APCL/APEL Procedure, and its consistent
implementation, this will permit the Academic Board to ensure (on behalf of the
Board of the Corporation) that this Undergraduate APCL/APEL Procedure is
being used effectively.
9.
Standards/Key Performance Indicators
9.1 The Undergraduate APCL/APEL Procedure will be monitored by the HE Q&AS
Committee.
9.2 Through reporting from the HE Q&AS Committee, the Academic Board will
maintain an overview of all APCL/APEL applications and their outcomes. Within
this, recommendations for enhancement of the procedure will be included
where necessary.
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Appendix A – APCL/APEL process for undergraduate programmes
Introduction to
APCL/APEL process
through programme
documentation
Certificates not
more than
5 years old
Applications for
APCL/APEL
based on criteria in
programme
documentation
Tutor advice/support
Portfolio
presentation
Experience
gained
through
practice
Statements &
evidence
Tutor advice/support
Programme Team
Portfolio
presentation
Academic Registrar
Chair of HE Q&AS
Committee
Applicant notified
Academic Board
College
Examination Board
or similar committee
Credit
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Appendix B – Claim form for APCL/APEL applications to
undergraduate programmes
SECTION 1 (to be completed by the Programme Leader submitting the claim)
Student name:
(please print)
Student ID number:
Surname:
Forename:
Programme title:
(in full)
Programme code:
School:
Proposed Level of entry to the programme
Programme Leader
submitting claim:
(please print)
Date submitted:
Academic year for
which applicable:
Student’s entry
qualification for the
programme:
Module(s) for which APCL/APEL is claimed:
Title
Code
CATS
Level
Evidence
Office Use
Only
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SECTION 2 (to be completed by the Student)
Student Statement
I hereby declare that, to the best of my knowledge, the evidence supporting this
claim is valid, authentic and sufficient to enable me to be awarded the named credit
and to complete the named programme of study. I wish it to be considered for
accreditation according to the College’s Undergraduate APCL/APEL procedures.
Student’s
signature:
Date:
SECTION 3 (to be completed by the Programme Leader)
Programme Leader’s comments and recommendations (include implications of
exemption if approved: how valid, authentic and sufficient the evidence provided is.):
Total credit claimed:
Level of credit claimed:
SECTION 4 (to be completed by the Programme Leader)
Programme Leader Statement:
I am satisfied that the above named student has fulfilled the named progression and
assessment requirements of the programme of study by the above stated means,
and I recommend that the HE Quality & Academic Standards Committee consider
awarding credit as specified above.
Programme Leader’s signature: ………………………………. Date: ...……………..
Head of School’s signature: …………………………………..
Please attach: 1
2
Date:………………..
All student evidence
Appropriate page(s) from programme documentation
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Please submit this Claim Form and attachments to the Academic Registrar for
consideration by the HE Quality & Academic Standards Committee
Chair of Q&AS Committee signature: …………………………
Date: …………
HE Q&AS Committee decision (approved/not approved):
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