FAQ

Before applying, please ensure you have read the Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning Policy and confirm with your College/School Office that RPL applications to have prior learning recognised, count towards the credit requirements of your programme and are accepted by the Board governing your programme.

If you would like to have prior or concurrent learning recognised to count towards your UCD programme you shouldcomplete the RPL application formif:

• You have applied for a place on a UCD programme, or
• You have accepted a place on a UCD programme.

Receiving an offer of admission to a programme is not a guarantee that you will be successful in any RPL application to have learning recognised.

Please note:

This does not relate to using RPL to meet the admissions requirements of a programme. If you are a prospective student seeking admission to UCD and you do not meet the required admissions criteria as set down for a particular programme of study in UCD, you may apply to be admitted based on prior learning, including experiential learning, or as a mature student.

• Please see information for undergraduate applicants on grounds of mature years or contactUCD Admissions.
• Applicants to graduate programmes should contact the relevant College/School Office for information in the first instance.

This does not relate to using RPL for approved pathway programmes.Please contact your Programme/School Office to find out if it is relevant to your application.

Due to limitations on capacity restrictions may apply for some degree optionsin cases where the RPL that is approved results in advancement to the next stage and that RPL applicants should check with their programme area

The possible outcomes of an RPL application:

• Prior learning recognised for the purposes of admission to a programme.
• Prior or concurrent learning recognised for the purposes of having credit transferred towards the requirements of the UCD programme of study.
  • In some cases your application may not be successful or you may not receive RPL for the amount of credit for which you applied. In such cases, you are responsible for all assessments associated with the modules on your programme and therefore should register for, attend and participate in the module(s) until you are informed of the outcome of your application.

Receipt of RPL credit for a UCD programme  may disqualify you from being eligible for medals or prizes which are offered by the programme – for further information regarding this, check with the Programme Office.

Theamount of credit based on prior or concurrent learning that you may have recognised towards your UCD programme is determined by the Board governing your programme. The evidence of learning that you provide in your application will be compared to the published learning outcomes for the programme/modules for which you seek to have learning recognised.

The Programme Board will determine whether you have achieved the learning outcomes of a module or programme through your prior or concurrent learning.

The following programmes do not accept RPL applications:

• U004Prof Dip University Teaching & Learning (Sept)
• U005 Prof Cert University Teaching & Learning (Sept)
• U006 Certificate ofCPD University Teaching & Learning (Sept)
• U007 Certificate ofCPD University Teaching & Learning (Jan)
• U010Prof Dip University Teaching & Learning (Jan) 
• U011 Prof Cert University Teaching & Learning (Jan)
• LBS1 Liberal Arts & Sciences
• T150MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) FT
• T195 MSc Computer Science (Conversion) FT
• X820 MSc Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics 
• X784 Professional Masters Physiotherapy FT

In some cases a fee may be charged to cover the costs of processing an RPL application.  Please contact the relevant College/School Office before applying for further information on this matter.

A module is an element of a programme with its own learning outcomes, assessment methods and credit value.  Modules carry defined credit values aligned with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).   A combination of modules typically makes up a programme. You will find further information on modules for your programme under the "about this course" section of your programme. 

Learning outcomes are statements that specify what learners will know or be able to do as a result of completing a module or a course level. They can be found in the "What will I learn" section of your chosen modules. 

The evidence of learning that you provide in your RPL application will be compared to the published learning outcomes for the programme/modules for which you seek to have learning recognized.

Awards in UCD are aligned with the (opens in a new window)National Framework of Qualifications.  Further information on the awards in UCD can be found in the current Academic Regulations, Section 2. 

Prior learning will be awarded as graded credit and thus contribute towards the programme GPA calculations, only in cases where the learning:

• Has been completed in UCD, and
• Is considered equivalent to the current UCD module(s) in the programme which RPL will be applied to, and
• Has not already counted towards an award.

Prior learning can only be recognised for credit/exemption once. However, prior learning can be recognised for both admission to a programme and for subsequent credit/exemption against modules within the programme so that learning is not duplicated.

Prior learning that has not been previously completed in UCD will lead to the award of non-graded credit.

Such non-graded credit can be applied to a module or against multiple modules. Non-graded credit will not be included in GPA calculations.

• Information on learning outcomes and levels of learning can be found in the Academic Regulations
• (opens in a new window)Information on module descriptors/programmes
• Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Guide for UCD Academic Staff in assessing RPL applications