Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

1. Scope of Policy

• Students can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to internally assessed parts of Ayurva Academy qualifications (inclusive of those qualifications that have externally set themes/topics which are internally assessed) including those on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, Self-Regulated Framework (SRF) and other national frameworks. RPL can also be applied to internally assessed parts of equivalent qualifications from other Awarding Organisations.
• The use of recognition of prior learning is optional. But, if a student chooses to apply it, they need to follow this policy and process on RPL.
• Students cannot apply for RPL for external assessment, set exams or set assignments.

2. What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

•  RPL is about using a student’s evidence of earlier learning and achievement towards part of a qualification. An assessor reviews whether the evidence is enough to show that a student has met the assessment requirements for a current qualification. The student needs to show that through knowledge, understanding or skills they already have, they do not need to repeat the course or complete extra assessment activity.

• If there is evidence that the student has previously shown the knowledge, skills or understanding required by part of a qualification, this may be used towards achieving that qualification. The evidence must be:
  • valid
  • current
  • reliable
  • authentic and
  • sufficient.

• RPL is not normally used to provide evidence against achievement for an entire qualification. This would be called an exemption and is usually used where a learner must gain a specified qualification for a particular purpose (for example, as an entry requirement for further study, employment, or registration). If you or your learners think that they are entitled to an exemption, we recommend you refer to the organisation which has specified the original qualification requirement. If a particular qualification is specified as an entry requirement to a qualification offered by us, we will list any appropriate exemptions in our specification.

• Applications for RPL must be carried out by centre staff who are competent to consider and make decisions about RPL

3. Can learners use a previously achieved certificate towards a qualification?

• Occasionally Ayurva Academy will map or give guidance to show shared content across units or qualifications (for example, Certificate in Counselling Skills). In these cases, a student may use a previously achieved certificate as evidence without them having to repeat learning or assessment.

• If we have not mapped qualifications, the student will need to map and check that their previous certificated achievement meets the current qualifications assessment criteria. It is important to a record of the mapping so that we can confirm that it is valid.

• No extra assessment is needed if a student previously achieved certificate or qualification meets the requirements of a whole unit.

4. Recognition of prior learning for Higher Nationals

• When using RPL for Ayurva Academy higher awards, the underlying principle is that assessed evidence from certified learning should be at the same level of education for which RPL is being used. Ayurva also acknowledges that RPL can be undertaken through assessment of previous experiential learning.

• In order to achieve an additional Ayurva Academy higher qualification at the same level, which has been certified by Ayurva:
  • The units to be used as prior learning must be common to both Ayurva Higher qualifications and meet rules of unit combination.
  • The credit value of the common units must not exceed 50% of the total credit value of the additional qualification the student is seeking to achieve. This is to assure academic standards and a student’s attainment of the key subject relevant knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours of the additional Higher qualification; and
  • The student must have taken a combination of units worth at least 50% of the total credits for the additional Ayurva Higher qualification at the same level to be awarded. This is to ensure that a student can demonstrate attainment of the key subject relevant knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours of the additional Higher qualification.

• An award is defined as a completed qualification. Individual units are not defined as an award and can be used for RPL. Where higher education awards have been certified by another awarding body, 4.1 does not apply, however for the use of RPL by Ayurva centres, the points below apply at all times.

• Where students wish to top-up from a Level 4 programme to a Level 5 programme on the current specification, units can be used for RPL based on prior certified learning and/or prior experiential learning, but the company must ensure that additional tasks can be set to ensure that Learning Outcomes not yet achieved can meet assessment criteria.

• Where RPL is used to determine whether learning outcomes have been met on another Ayurva Academy award, the maximum grade that the student can achieve for that unit will be a Pass if the RPL has been undertaken through experiential learning. Where RPL is undertaken by assessing certified learning, then centres must demonstrate clearly where RPL is able to meet Merit or Distinction criteria across all learning outcomes.

• RPL processes should not be used for any more than 50% of the total credit value of a Pearson Higher National award. 50% limit is set in line with the wider higher education practices and to mitigate risks such as double counting. It is a threshold to enable students to engage with and attain academic standards within the subject context.

• All Ayurva centres will follow this Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, making clear the procedures and documentation required in the process. All RPL decisions should be ratified by the Senior Management Team and minuted; records of the evidence for RPL decision should be kept and may be viewed by Ayurva Academy appointed internal verifiers.

• Ayurva centres are encouraged to ensure that there are clearly documented requests for RPL and that this is undertaken through certified learning as well as experiential learning. All RPL documentation should record clearly where learning outcomes have been met by either certified or experiential learning and this is them placed on the student records.

5. Feedback and complaints process

• Ayurva Academy welcome student feedback, which helps us to improve the products and services we provide. We know that sometimes things go wrong, but if they do, we want to try to stop them from happening again. If a student would like to give us feedback or if they are unhappy with the service, and or decision made concerning RPL, they can contact us via their tutor or follow the complaints policy.