International students who wish to study in UK during their studies in their home countries sometimes want to stop studying in home country and continue their studies in UK. In such scenarios international students can request UK universities for Recognition of prior learning or credit transfer, if you have studied a similar module in the past or that you are good at learning professionally.

The thing is that most of the UK universities will not confirm final RPL decision until you have applied (in many cases until you have an offer). Nevertheless, you can typically ask to be pre-assessed: an informal, non-binding opinion as to whether what you have previously known would be likely to map or not and which evidence you will require.

What you really want (use the correct language)

Make it clear what result you want before you email anybody- universities can do this in different ways:

1. Credit / advanced standing entry: You wish to begin later (e.g. Year 2) since you already have reached the same level of learning.

2. Module exemption / credit exemption against modules: You prefer not taking some modules due to attaining the learning outcomes in other areas.

3. Experience based RPL (also known as RPEL/RP(E)L): You require credit on the basis of work based learning – such is usually required to include a portfolio and employer validation.

How assessors perceive RPL (to send what they require)

Assessors do not make decisions depending on titles of modules. They make decisions on an equal basis. Their evidence must enable them to check:

The learning outcomes are similar (the main test).
Level match (first-year content vs final-year content; undergraduate content vs postgraduate content)
Precision (match) of credit volume/workload.
Recency/currency (in rapidly evolving subjects the older learning may be discarded)
Type of assessment (exam/ laboratory/ practical competencies vs coursework)

It is your business to ease such an assessment.

Build a pre-assessment pack

Consider your first email to be a mini-case file. Include a brief overview of the same in the email body and include:

In the case of certificated learning (last study)
Official transcript (Modules and grades and dates)
Module descriptors of each of the relevant modules:
Learning outcomes
Topics/syllabus
Contact hours (if available)
Assessment methodology (exam/coursework/lab/practical)
Grading scale/key (in particular, to study abroad)
Documents that are not in English are to be translated.

In the case of experiential (work-based) learning.

CV and role descriptions
Letters of the employers confirming responsibilities, length of stay, seniority.
A brief portfolio (projects, outputs, reflective statements)
A learning outcomes mapping (this is essential)

In case you are lacking learning outcomes, either ask your former institution or consult official course/module handbooks. The lack of results will make most universities declare that they are unable to measure.

Create a module-mapping table

This is what makes the serious requests work out and casual enquiries. Develop a basic table that indicates their programme to your evidence.

Example structure:

Target module (UK programme)
Credit + level (if known)
Key learning outcomes (1-3 lines)
Your previous module / experience
Evidence attached
Match strength (Strong/ Medium/ Partial)

Keep it honest, assessors believe you better when you are not full of yourself.

Forward it to the appropriate individuals (do not use inbox loop)

Prior to application, it can be placed between the Admissions and Academic/Registry teams:

Begin with programme admissions (they can check whether RPL is accepted and direct you)
Include a department/programme office in case it is a listed office.
In case the university has a point of contact with RPL/credit transfer, then use it.
In case it is a regulated programme (healthcare, teaching, etc.), request the faculty RPL process- requirements are usually more stringent.

When you simply send an email to an international admissions mailbox that is generic, you are likely to receive a generic response. You would have it forwarded to somebody who could make any sense out of module equivalence.

The questions to ask (short, decision-oriented) are:

You desire answers that they can give, without being obliged to make a decision:

Does this programme receive RPL/credit transfer? Yes, what kind (module exemption or advanced standing or experiential?
Is it a limitless credit limit on this programme?
Is pre-application indicative or post-offer assessment?
What is this evidence needed to make an official decision (in what form)?
Decision maker (programme team, faculty panel, registry), and standard timeline?

Many questions decreases the response rates.

At what time should a pre-assessment be solicited?

Do it 8-12 weeks prior to when you intend to apply, earlier in the instance that:

you need Year 2 entry,
you will depend upon experiential RPL,
you have a stringent visa/intake time,
your documents must be translated or you have to enquire your former school to send you syllabi.

The most frequent errors that receive a no (despite being eligible)