Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In the first instance, please read the information on what may and may not be eligible for RPL and the evidence required. Once you are ready to apply, or if you have any questions about RPL, please email rpl@cumbria.ac.uk. If you have applied to a University of Cumbria apprenticeship, the possibility of RPL will be assessed as part of your application.

In some circumstances, yes. An RPCL claim is usually a straightforward process however claims are assessed on an individual basis, so it does depend on the nature of your claim.

An RPEL claim is a more complex process, requiring commitment, motivation and hard work on your part. You will have to reflect on your experience and think about it in an ‘academic’ context, for example, relating it to academic theory.

If successful, both types of application will cut down the time it takes to complete your course.

If you are undertaking a full honours degree and seek RPL for 120 level 4 and 120 level 5 credits (i.e. entry into the final year), then your classification only will be calculated on the level 6 modules that you complete at UoC.

If you are seeking RPL for individual modules the marks from your prior learning may, in certain circumstances, be used to calculate your award classification.

If the module has been completed at a different institution, then the mark previously achieved will only be used when:

• The module learning outcomes match to a specific UoC module
• The academic level of study matches
• The credit value of the previous module is the same
• The pass mark at your prior institution is the same as the UoC’s pass mark

If any of these differ, ungraded credit will be awarded. In addition, module marks will not be transferred to our MSc Medical Imaging (Ultrasound)

Please email the RPL team for specific advice.

No, once you have registered, you are obliged to complete the full taught module.

No. If you have received RPL which has been applied to your record as a specific module, you cannot also study that module.

Yes, but the amount depends on the course that you are applying for RPL against. The maximum RPL allowances are listed in Appendix 6 of the University’s Academic Procedures and Processes.

RPCL

There is no charge for RPCL claims.

RPEL

Unless you are an apprentice, you will be charged a fee for the support you gain and the assessment of your RPEL claim, whether or not your claim is successful. The RPEL fee does not apply to apprenticeship students.

The 2025/26 fee is a £90 administration charge and £410 per 30 credits for which you are seeking RPL (e.g. the charge for applying for 20 credits is the same as that for 30), regardless of academic level. Annual increments apply.

Prior certificated learning (RPCL)

You will need to provide your results transcript for the qualification you have gained previously, and the module specific learning outcomes for each module you wish to include in your RPL application. We need to ascertain the academic level, number of credits, date of award and syllabus information to make a judgement on your application.

If you are applying for RPL on a course which leads to professional registration and includes placements, you will be required to provide details of your previous practice placements – the number of hours/days and details of the setting.

For prior experiential learning, please refer to the RPEL-specific page, here.

If you have completed a range of modules, it is not possible to combine them all into an award. You will need to be registered on a University of Cumbria course and apply for RPL against this. Courses have maximum RPL allowances, which are listed in Appendix 6 of the University’s Academic Procedures and Processes.

Yes, you should email the RPL team with the information below: 

• The name of the course you wish to transfer to 
• The name of the course your prior study is from 
• The institution your prior study was with
• The module specific learning outcomes of each module you completed in files which are clearly from the institution you have studied with
• The number of university level academic credits you have achieved 
• Your official transcript of results (when available)

On receipt of this information, the RPL team will liaise with the course tutor to see if a transfer is possible. 

Transfers to full time undergraduate courses are usually only permitted at the end of an academic level, i.e. into the start of year 2 or 3, and will depend on place availability as well as your prior learning content.

Possibly. It depends on when you studied and which course, since many programmes have undergone revalidation since you were a student with us. You should email the RPL service with your UOC student number, and we will then advise on your options. 

If your RPL claim is successful the credits will be attached to your student record. You will be able to view this through the ‘My Course’ part of ICON once the current academic's year's results have been confirmed. You will see a column for ‘RPL Credits’ which will show the total credits awarded. You will not see individual module codes (if applicable) via ICON, but these will be shown on the Statement of Results issued after each progression assessment board and on your academic transcript of results at the end of your course.

Yes, claiming RPL may have an impact on your eligibility for a Masters loan. You should contact your funding council for further advice. 

If you are applying to join the second or third year of a University of Cumbria course as an international student, you will need to send details of your university-level study to rpl@cumbria.ac.uk : 

• Translated copies of your prior learning transcripts, showing details of the academic credits and award you have attained
• The module specific learning outcomes of your previous study in files which are clearly from the institution that you studied with.
• Full details of the institution where you have studied.
• Any certificated evidence from another language medium must be provided in the original format and with a translated copy. Both the original language and translated copies must be authenticated by the issuing institution and signed by its senior academic officer.

The RPL team will aim to confirm the UK equivalency of your prior study, and will liaise with the appropriate programme team in considering your application.