Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the formal recognition of non-credentialed prior learning. You are given the opportunity to have an assessment made of learning that you may have undertaken in a non-formal setting (e.g. outside school, polytechnic, or university) which could be counted towards a formal qualification.

Essentially, if you have undertaken learning for which you have not received a formal qualification, and which may be of a level which could count towards a university level qualification, you are entitled to apply for RPL.

An example of this could be if you have taught yourself how to design a website, and have then created it. Whilst the learning that you have undertaken may not have been attached to a formal qualification, the skills and understandings which you have had to engage with may count at university degree level study. The same would apply if you have taught yourself how to programme in C++, or have work experience which has given you these skills.

The School of Education offer a credit of up to 30 points to a master’s degree or postgraduate diploma through the recognition of prior learning process. An example of this could be a student who has completed a one year National Aspiring Principals’ Programme (NAPP).

Only one RPL credit of up to 30 points is permitted for a master’s qualification in the School of Education. This credit may not be substituted for required papers for a qualification.

RPL gives you the opportunity to reduce the amount of time required to achieve a university level qualification by recognising learning that has not been taken towards a formal qualification.

The following papers are currently available for recognition of prior learning through the School of Education, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, School of Science, School of Engineering and Waikato Management School. Each University of Waikato paper listed has an RPL equivalent; both papers are the same. For more detail on the specific papers, see the Catalogue of Papers.

RPL Table

There are no classes associated with RPL papers.

You may be required to sit an examination for the RPL paper(s) you have enrolled in. The examination will be held during the Summer School, Trimester A or Trimester B examination period (dependent on when you enrol in the paper(s)) and will provide an assessment of your understanding in relation to the content areas of the papers being considered. In some cases, you will be required to sit more than one examination per RPL paper.

RPL examinations are governed by the Assessment Regulations which can be found in the University of Waikato Calendar.

Some of the RPL papers do not require a challenge examination.

If you are enrolling in School of Science, School of Engineering and/or School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences placement RPL papers, you will be required to submit a written report on your work experience and other supporting documentation as required by the School. You should contact the School for specific information on the placement papers and their RPL equivalents.

If you are enrolling in the School of Education RPLC500 paper, you are required to submit evidence of prior professional learning or experience and to demonstrate your competence as equivalent to competencies taught in your master’s programme. Prior learning must be directly related to the programme of study for which credit is sought, and this must be demonstrated in the submitted Evidence Portfolio.

To receive RPL you required to pay an application fee. There is a challenge examination fee for each paper that you wish to have assessed for RPL once your application has been approved. This fee covers the costs involved in the examination and the assessment process. If you are already enrolled in a programme of study at the University of Waikato and eligible for a student loan, you will be entitled to pay RPL fees by student loan.

All students will be required to pay the challenge examination fee set for each paper prior to sitting the examinations or completing the required assessments.

See Non-Tuition costs for more information on fees.