The RPL Tool

Use the tool for guidance and signposting on learning options.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process for recognising learning that has come from experience and/ or previous formal, non- formal and informal learning contexts. This includes knowledge and skills gained outside school, college and university and outside formal learning situations such as through life and work experiences

But also ……A process that involves a learner reflecting on experiences; identifying learning associated with the experiences and providing evidence of that learning to enable an institution to reach a decision on awarding credit or mapping to the level of the SCQF.

If you have not used our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Tool before please, first of all, read the information provided for your user type

RPL for Employers

Using RPL can lead to increased employee retention and reduced recruitment and training costs.

RPL for Learners

Get recognition for learning you have done in a work-based environment and from learning from life experiences to support your personal and career development.

Business School Professor with students working in the background

RPL for Educators and Advisers

Help for advisers when supporting learners with non-formal and informal learning which they wish to use towards a further qualification.

The tool asks you to make two choices before giving you tailored information about RPL so you should be clear about the type of learning you have and what you want to do with this learning.

You will be given a number of options about the type of learning followed by a number of options about the kind of recognition you are looking for. Once you have made your choices your results will appear giving you further guidance and signposting.

What kind of recognition are you seeking for your learning?

Scenario 1

Learning gained through personal experience within day to day life, volunteering or professional contexts where a certificate was not issued.

More info

Having the ability to reflect and recognise what transferable skills you have, and identify areas of strengths and weaknesses is valuable. This process will be useful if you have left school with little or no formal qualifications, or are looking to return to work after a break.

The learning could have been gained through life experience, volunteering, evening courses or on the job training.

Recognising transferable skills, strengths and potential weaknesses can aid the process in supporting a transition into training, further education or work or simply to raise confidence and self-esteem and make a plan for the future.

This type of RPL can also be used if you are in work to support career development and may be used to improve a CV or to identify skills for a job application or within a performance development review to support a job promotion.

Some examples may include:

Experiences and events from life/growing up etc.
Caring for a relative/friend
School activities
Sport/ coaching
Mentoring
Learning on the job in the workplace e.g. work shadowing
Volunteering & voluntary work
Hobbies
Leisure activities
Workplace Training/courses

Scenario 2

Training or learning that signifies achievement (not simply a certificate of attendance), that has been certificated by an awarding body but is not credit rated on the SCQF Framework.

More info

This type of learning has been undertaken in college, university or with a formal learning provider and will have been assessed.

It may also take the form of in-house training delivered by your employers human resource management function, or by an external training provider delivering in your organisation. It may also be training provided by professional bodies directly linked to your profession. You will have received a certificate with the learning provider’s name, however the certificate will not have the SCQF logo on it.

Having the ability to reflect and recognise what transferable skills you have, and identify areas of strengths and weaknesses is valuable and can also be used by those in work to support career development, to add value to your CV or to identify skills for a job application or promotion.

Some examples may include:

Industry Certificates or Diplomas
Professional Body Awards
Awards and certificates from work
Awards from other UK Qualification Frameworks
Older SVQs
Community learning programmes
Duke of Edinburgh Award

Scenario 3

Training or learning that has been achieved that has been certificated and credit rated on the SCQF Framework.

More info

This type of learning has been undertaken in college, university or with a formal learning provider and will have been assessed.

The certificate will have the SCQF logo on it with reference to the SCQF level and credit points. University certificates may not have the SCQF logo, however the Academic Transcript will show the SCQF level and credits points awarded.

It may also take the form of in-house training delivered by your employer’s human resource management function, or by an external training provider delivering in your organisation. It may also be training provided by professional bodies directly linked to your profession. You will have received a certificate with the learning provider’s name and the SCQF logo on it.

Having the ability to reflect and recognise the knowledge and skills you have gained and how this can lead to increased confidence and add value to your CV or identify the required skills for a job application or promotion. Your qualifications may enable you to articulate to further learning.

Some examples may include:

National Awards/ Highers or Advanced Highers
In house training that has been SCQF credit rated
HNCs/ HNDs or National Certificates
SVQs
Scottish Apprenticeships
Professional Development Awards
Degrees, Certificate or Diplomas in Higher Education
Postgraduate Certificates/ Diplomas or Masters Degrees
Professional Body Awards- e.g.some City & Guilds qualifications
Other SCQF credit rated qualifications

What sort of recognition do you want?

Outcome 1

Recognition of the skills and knowledge gained through experience to improve confidence, develop or improve a CV, identify career paths or identify next steps in learning. Providing a reflective process to help people to understand existing knowledge, skills and abilities.

More info

Outcome of the RPL process may be:

Building confidence and self esteem
Identifying strengths and potential weaknesses
CV building
Employability training
Coaching and career development

Outcome 2

Providing recognition of learning to allow entry or advanced entry into an existing learner programme which is not SCQF credit rated. Could also be used to evidence professional competence/standards for practice.

More info

Outcome of the RPL process may be:

Meeting entry requirements for learning programmes by an awarding body
Meeting requirements for professional registration
Exemption from professional examinations
Entry to a programme at an advanced stage

Outcome 3

Providing recognition of learning to allow entry or as exemption from particular parts or stages of an SCQF credit rated programme.

More info

Outcome of the RPL process may be:

Meeting entry requirements for SCQF credit rated programmes
Advanced entry to degree study
Advanced entry to other SCQF credit rated study

I am supporting a learner with RPL