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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the University’s Policy and Rules on RPL?
2. How do I apply for RPL?
3. When should I submit my application?
4. What is maximum RPL that can be received? 
5. My previous study was completed many years ago. Would it still be valid for consideration of RPL?
6. How would my application be assessed & how would I be notified of the outcome?
7. What can I do if I am unhappy with the outcome of my application?
8. I have applied to do the BTeach at graduate entry level.  How would my undergraduate qualifications be assessed for RPL?
9. BTeach: What if I want to get further RPL for studies other than my undergraduate degree?
10. Music Therapy: I am currently in the Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy course. What credits will I be given if I apply for transfer to the Master of Arts in Music Therapy?
11. BEd in Adult Education: What type of RPL can I claim?
12. BEd in Adult Education: Can I claim RPL for my extensive work experience? How do I go about this? What do I need to provide?
13. I have completed the Cert IV in Training & Assessment (Old Cert IV or New Cert IV). What advanced standing will I receive?
14. Does a student who completes a Graduate Diploma get RPL for Masters courses?
15. Can I apply for RPL for concurrent study?
16. How do I know whether the subjects I have completed elsewhere will be deemed equivalent?

Answers

1. What is the University’s Policy and Rules on RPL?

UTS provides the opportunity for students to apply for recognition of prior learning for studies completed in a recognised tertiary institution, for relevant work or life experience, or courses taken outside a recognised tertiary education organisation.  The recognition is in the form of subject exemption or credits towards a UTS course.

The University’s Policy and Rules on RPL are detailed in the following documents:

Student and Related Rules, Section 6 - Recognition of Prior Learning www.uts.edu.au/students/index.html

UTS Legislations, Rules, Policies - Recognition of Prior Learning www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/priorlearning.html 

2. How do I apply for RPL?

Generally, you apply by submitting an Application Form for Recognition of Prior Learning, which can be downloaded from:

http://www.sau.uts.edu.au/forms/recognition_prior_learning2.pdf

You need to provide documentary evidence in support of your application, including certified copy of your academic transcript, course or subject outlines, or details of your work experience. Applications can be lodged at the Student Centre level 2, building 10 (for City campus courses), or level 3, Kuring-gai campus.

3. When should I submit my application?

Application for RPL should normally be submitted at the time of application for admission to a course.  Where this is not possible, application should be submitted at the time of your enrolment or as soon as possible after enrolment, but in any case no later than 2 weeks after the start of the semester.

4. What is maximum RPL that can be received? 

The maximum amount of RPL which may be approved is two-thirds of the total credit point requirement for courses with 144 credit points or less; and three-quarters for courses with more than 144 credit point requirement.

5. My previous study was completed many years ago. Would it still be valid for consideration of RPL?

The normal time limit for the currency of prior learning is 7 years.  If you wish to apply for RPL for studies completed more than 7 years prior to the year you are admitted to the UTS course, you will be required to demonstrate how you have been applying and maintaining the knowledge and skills since that time.  

6. How would my application be assessed & how would I be notified of the outcome?

Your application will be assessed by one of the three UTS: Education’s RPL Committees. They are: Teacher Education RPL Committee, Adult Education RPL Committee and Masters by Coursework RPL Committee. The Committees will meet several times during the processing of applications for admission to courses and then once per semester, prior to the HECS census date, for the rest of the year.  Meeting dates will be posted on the UTS: Education’s webpage. Once assessed, the RPL will be recorded on your Study Plan.  The Registrar will notify you in writing of the outcome of your application.

7. What can I do if I am unhappy with the outcome of my application?

If you believe there has been a serious misunderstanding of the content of your prior learning or procedural unfairness, which affected the decision, you may request a review of the decision.  Such request must be made in writing to the Dean of the Faculty within one month of the original notification of decision.

8. I have applied to do the BTeach at graduate entry level.  How would my undergraduate qualifications be assessed for RPL?

If you have completed an undergraduate degree in the area of your specialisation, you will receive up to 72 credit points RPL on entry to the course.  Your RPL will be assessed at the same time your application for admission to the course is assessed, based on the transcript included in the application documents.  You do not need to submit a separate application for RPL. 

If you have an undergraduate degree and most but not all the required undergraduate subjects, you will be granted less than 72 credit points RPL on entry.  In this case, you are able to complete the additional undergraduate subjects required as part of the Bachelor of Teaching degree, and you should contact your Course Coordinator for more information.

The Faculty will send you a letter advising you of the amount of RPL granted after you have received an offer to the course from UAC.

9. What if I want to get further RPL for studies other than my undergraduate degree for the?

If you require further RPL in addition to the 72 credit points for undergraduate subjects, you need to lodge a separate Application for RPL on the form provided by the University. You application will be considered by the Teacher Education RPL Committee.

10. I am currently in the Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy course. What credits will I be given if I apply for transfer to the Master of Arts in Music Therapy?

The subjects you have completed so far and the respective credit points gained will be credited to the new Masters course on transfer.  If you have completed the Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy program, you will receive a maximum of 48 credit points of RPL on enrolling in the 72cp Masters program.  This mean you would only be required to complete 4 subjects from the Elective Choice Block.

11. BEd in Adult Education: What type of RPL can I claim?

Students who receive RPL will be exempted from some elective subjects. Specific subject exemptions are only in exceptional circumstances, where subject completed deemed Bachelor degree level and equivalent in content. Students are required to submit subject outlines to support application.

12. BEd in Adult Education: Can I claim RPL for my extensive work experience?

Work experience is normally a requirement to join the program and is not deemed equivalent to academic study. (Faculty policy 3.3)

13. I have completed the Cert IV Training & Assessment (Old or New Cert IV). What advanced standing will I receive?

If you have a completed a Cert IV TAA you will be able to receive 24cp RPL in elective subjects in the Bachelor of Education in Adult Education degree.

It will not provide RPL for any of the other courses in the Faculty. 

14. Does a student who completes a Grad Dip get RPL for Masters courses?

Students who completed the UTS Grad Dip TESOL (C06071) prior to 2007 will be entitled to 30cp RPL for the TESOL or Applied Linguistics majors in the Master of Arts (C04231).

Students who completed the UTS Grad Dip in Languages Teaching (C07091) prior to 2007 will be entitled to 18cp RPL for the TESOL or the Applied Linguistics major in the Master of Arts (C04231).

These provisions will not apply from the 2008 intake onwards. The new Masters degrees are structured as stand alone post-service degrees and are not a continuation of the Graduate Diplomas which are pre-service qualifications. From 2008, students will therefore need to have done equivalent masters level subjects in order to obtain RPL into the Masters courses (up to a maximum of 12cp).

15. Can I apply for RPL for concurrent study?

Yes. (Refer to the Concurrent Study Application for details). Requires approval prior to starting the study to assess whether the subject is correct level.

16. How do I know whether the subjects I have completed elsewhere will be deemed equivalent?

You will need to supply information on all subjects you would like to have considered for RPL. The information you supply will assist the RPL committees assess your application.