SWISS DEGREE AFTER RECOGNITION AND EVALUATION OF SKILLS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
The RPL initiative of SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich aims to equip professionals with academic qualifications which will enable them to succeed in any workplace and further their careers. In addition, RPL through the credit transfer pathway allows anyone interested in obtaining a degree from Zurich, which is a world-renowned center for education and research, to advance their studies and achieve a degree from the prestigious and leading educational capital in Europe.
The RPL global initiative is based on the rules and regulations applied in Switzerland, with the added flexibility that the relevant rules and regulations regarding the RPL procedure in other countries (e.g. United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and others) can be applied. This process can help individuals acquire a formal qualification matching their knowledge and skills, thereby improving their employability, mobility, lifelong learning, social inclusion, and self-esteem.
What is recognition of prior Learning (RPL)
RPL stands for Recognition of Prior Learning, which is an assessment process that uses your already existing skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve a formal qualification. RPL is a method of assessment that makes formal qualifications more accessible to people already in the workforce, building their careers.
RPL initiative is a concept that enables individuals to have their learning and experiences recognized for several purposes which can benefit the individual, employers, and the economy which include:
- RPL for personal or career development;
- RPL to gain entry to an award or qualification;
- RPL for the award of ECTS points to gain exemption from parts of an existing program of study or to gain entry with advanced standing; and
- RPL to award vocational qualifications after assessment to specific occupational standards.
Types of RPL
RPL is achieved when an individual can have their learning formally assessed and quality assured to successfully be admitted to or gain exemptions to components or parts of a formal qualification or award through the use of learning outcomes.
- Formative RPL is where the candidate is looking to have knowledge, skills, and competencies assessed for personal or career development.
- Summative RPL is where formal ECTS credit is awarded and recognized as having the same value as credit gained in formal teaching institutions.
- Credit Transfer is when a candidate has gained a formal award or qualification, has received formal ECTS credit, and is looking to gain entry at an advanced stage or exemption from a component of another program of study, where the learning outcomes of the first program of study match the learning outcomes of the new program of study
Types of RPL degree Schemes
The types of degree schemes that can be awarded via RPL are:
- Associate degree
- Bachelor
- Master
- Doctorate
An Associate Degree requires 120 ECTS credits.
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Level 6) requires 120 – 180 ECTS credits.
The Master of Advanced Studies degree (Level 7) requires to have a minimum of 60 (postgraduate) ECTS credits.
All of the above awards may be credited and integrated into a doctoral degree program (Level 8). SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich offers advanced studies degree schemes that may be integrated into a doctorate program.
Can I apply for RPL to gain a postgraduate award ?
RPL is an option if you have any relevant qualifications and wish to obtain an MBA, DBA, or Doctor of Advanced Studies degree. Degrees like these are designed for working professionals interested in high-level positions or for individuals looking to excel in their field as working professionals.
How does RPL work?
RPL initiative takes into account the skills you’ve already acquired in your field of employment, as well as the knowledge you’ve gained via study and life experiences. An RPL evaluation utilizes your existing talents to fulfill the credits needed for a formal qualification.
One of the advantages of RPL is that it recognizes the value of learning in different settings. You can utilize your prior education, domestic and international qualifications, and samples of work experience. RPL also recognizes the skills and knowledge you’ve gained outside of a formal context. This qualification recognizes and values on-the-job learning. By combining all of your past experiences, RPL eliminates unnecessary repetition.
RPL works well because it recognizes the worth of what you’ve learned.
Who is eligible for RPL?
Anyone can apply for RPL. The RPL process takes into account all relevant skills, knowledge, and experience that you have regardless of the way you got them. This includes experience and training you have gained through paid work, volunteer work, or just life in general. Through the RPL process, you may be able to gain a complete qualification or, if you have gaps in your knowledge, parts of a qualification. If you need to, you can complete the rest of the qualifications through training and a formal assessment.
Why RPL?
The process of looking back on your past experiences and reflecting on what you learned can help you take stock of your skills and abilities and set career and educational goals. In turn, these goals can help you begin to build upon what you already know and can do.
The RPL process makes it possible for educational institutions, workplaces, professional bodies, and other organizations to assess your knowledge and skills to award credit, grant professional status, or advance your career.
The RPL process can help you save time and money by filling in the gaps in your learning without having to repeat things you already know and can do.
Being awarded qualifications through RPL means that you don’t have to study what you already know. Instead, you provide evidence that you already have the knowledge and skills that studying the qualification would give you.
What sort of evidence do in need to provide?
Prior learning can be assessed in several ways. One method commonly used is an assessment of a portfolio. The types of evidence required to depend on the qualification you are seeking, and there are specific lists for each qualification. Here are some examples of the types of evidence you could provide for RPL:
- Position descriptions
- Academic transcripts, qualifications, and statements of attainment
- Internal training documents
- Documentation that reflects your role such as budget plans and projections, operational plans, risk management plans, training needs analysis reports
- Documentation such as staff rosters, policy and procedure documents you have written or contributed to
- Minutes of meetings you have chaired or participated in
- Compliance records
- Task lists
- PowerPoint presentations
- Observations from your workplace
- Performance review/ staff appraisal documents
- Incident reports
- Any relevant licenses
The portfolio will document what has been learned, where and how the student learned it, and how the student’s experiences meet the requirements.
Who issues the awards ?
RPL degree awards are issued by SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich.
How much does it cost ?
The fees are based on the award qualification you aim to achieve. To learn more about the procedure, you can contact us via phone at +357 99 801 631 or reach out on WhatsApp at +357 99 801 631. Additionally, you can email us at rpl@estudyquals.com for further details.
APPLY NOW
To be considered for RPL, you must download and fill out the application form.
Additionally, you should include the following supporting documents:
- Valid identification or passport
- School leaving certificate (or equivalent)
- Academic transcripts
- Current curriculum vitae (recommended)
- Personal statement – a document of no more than 200 words illustrating your career aspirations (recommended)
- Academic/professional references (recommended)
Email your application form: rpl@estudyquals.com