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Recognition of Prior Learning Policy - The Open College of the Arts | Distance Learning Degrees and Courses

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Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

If you have previously studied or have practical experience you could apply for those studies or experiences to be recognised as part of your course.

This is referred to as Recognition or Accreditation or Prior Learning. This is split into Prior Certificated Learning and Prior Experiential Learning. Prior Certificated Learning is where you have studied a qualification before and have credits and a certificate to demonstrate your learning. Prior Experiential Learning is where you have direct relevant experience in industry or another field of relevance to the subject you wish to study.

It may be possible to apply for this to be recognised as part of your course. You apply for an exemption to one or more units on the programme based upon what you have done previously.

There are application fees and costs towards exempted units as part of this process. See our policies below for how to apply, how this is reviewed and the costs involved.

Admissions Policies
    • 03/06/2026: Page reformatted.
    • 31/07/2025: The changes to the page included:
      • Upload of RPL Policy for the 2025/26 academic year.
      • Upload of RPCL and RPEL Guidance Notes for the 2025/26 academic year.
      • Creation of ‘Archived Policies’ section.
      • Creation of ‘Page last updated’ section.