Student transfer

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process by which your relevant knowledge, skills and experience can be reviewed and, if appropriate, counted towards your NTU degree. You can be recognised as having already achieved certain aspects of your NTU course as a result of previous study or work and be exempt from a module or part of your studies, and this is called “advanced standing”.

This process relates to recognition of prior learning for advanced standing only and does not cover the processes through which prior experiential or certificated learning is considered for admission to the beginning of a course (for example, for many master’s courses, the admission requirements would involve an honours degree, but applicants with non-standard entry qualifications or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis).

Prior learning can be from a certificated course you have undertaken. This may include professional development awards, employer training courses or additional University studies. These courses need to be at a Higher Education level, and we can confirm this for you if you are unsure.

Prior learning can also be experiential, and this is particularly relevant if you have worked in a practice-based professional role and have significant work experience which is relevant to your studies.

Prior learning also includes credit-bearing Higher Education courses, and this is covered in detail in the Student Guide to Credit Transfer above.

If you think you have some relevant experience or previous study at Higher Education level, then you should ask for advice from our Admissions Team for Undergraduate courses or the course team for Postgraduate and Professional courses.

Some professional bodies, for whom NTU delivers accredited courses, will not allow RPL or credit transfer. We will make you aware of this when you seek advice.

Experiential learning takes more time to assess and requires the judgement of an experienced academic member of staff. You may be charged an administration fee for your RPL application, and we will advise you of this beforehand.

Having taken advice and decided to apply for RPL, you will need to include information about RPL in your application form. This form is completed through UCAS in Undergraduate courses and the applicant portal for Postgraduate and Professional courses.

If you are already studying at NTU and wish to apply for RPL, you need to contact your course leader who should be able to advise you on the on-course RPL requirements and process.

You should submit evidence to support your claim. Evidence might include certificates from the courses you have completed; a course handbook or syllabus; a portfolio of work; a job role description; or a reference. This evidence should demonstrate how you have developed relevant skills and knowledge through your studies and experience. You should align your evidence to the module content and learning outcomes of one or more modules of the course to which you are applying. Evidence should be relevant, current, thorough and clearly your own work.

The course team will look closely at your evidence and application to see whether you have evidenced that you have achieved the skills and knowledge of some parts of your planned course of study. They may need to contact you to discuss the evidence further.

Usually, RPL is awarded for a minimum of one module, but in some circumstances, part of a module or a single piece of assessment can be credited. We aim to complete the review of your RPL application and communicate our decision within ten working days.

The Course Team or Admissions Team will contact you to confirm whether or not your prior learning can be recognised and what this means for your NTU course. If you are offered a place to study at NTU, and it is agreed that you are exempt from one or more modules this is called “advanced standing” (as indicated above). If you are able to submit an RPL after you begin studying at NTU, your course leader will contact you to confirm whether or not your prior learning can be recognised.

Your course fee may be reduced if you are not required to study one or more modules.  NTU will reduce fees in proportion to the amount of prior learning that is recognised, and we will make this clear in our offer letter to you.

When you begin your studies at NTU, the module(s) that you have been granted an exemption for will not be included on your timetable but will show on your academic record as having been completed with RPL.

To find out more about the process for RPL and to discuss your eligibility, please contact the Admissions and Enquiries team via our online enquiry form.