The National Recognition of Prior Learning Project (RPL) is funded under the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 3 — Innovation and Agility. The project aims to build consensus among HEI partners to develop and implement a National RPL Framework encompassing a shared national understanding of RPL and bringing coherency across RPL processes and practices.

An RPL application in the context of this questionnaire can be defined as an applicant who did not meet the prior formal learning (i.e. qualifications) entry requirements for a programme of study but has put forward relevant professional work experience, professional certification (both assessed and non-assessed), continuing professional development course or other forms of prior experiential learning for consideration for access, module exemption or advanced entry. 

Typically, RPL involves a mapping of a student’s prior learning, followed by an academic judgement to ascertain whether the student can gain access to a programme of study and/or module exemptions and/or advanced entry. Please note that this survey does not include applicants who enter via the mature student entry route and the Further Education and Training (FET) entry route because these applications are recorded separately as mature entrants and FET applicants respectively.

This questionnaire is being issued to all DCU faculties to ascertain how RPL applications are currently being processed. The questionnaire is part of an information discovery phase related to an action activity currently underway at DCU. The information obtained will help to create a clearer picture of our current RPL practice across the university, leading to potential positive change by creating resources associated with RPL application processing and decision-making. The questionnaire is being disseminated via the ADTL in each faculty, who will decide who in each faculty is best placed to answer the questions. The overall results will be shared with your School for further consideration. Please ensure that the name of the person completing the questionnaire is included on the form. If you have any queries regarding the questionnaire, or its purpose, please contact the RPL Project Lead, Karina Curley, at karina.curley@dcu.ie. 

This questionnaire consists of questions about RPL applications for undergraduate applicants only. Some of the questions may not apply to your School. Please mark these as N/A in the comments/other section of the question. 

The questionnaire analysis will take place in August. Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if responses could be returned by the 20th of July. If, for any reason, you are unable to make this deadline, please get in touch.