Accredited Prior Learning

This is a process known as Accreditation of Prior Learning or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning.

If you are thinking of returning to study at an advanced level you may get credit from qualifications you already hold. Depending on the level, if they are accepted, they may be used to gain entry to a course, or count towards the qualification you want to take. You may also be able to get some credit for learning which you have gained through experience at work or elsewhere. This is called 'experiential learning'.

What you have learned must be assessed and accredited by the college or university. You may be able to get credit for skills and knowledge gained:

at work
through leisure activities
through community activities

and count it towards a qualification.

N.B. APL and APEL are not available for all university subjects.

SCOTCATS - Credit Accumulation & Transfer

The Scottish Credit Accumulation & Transfer Scheme can allow you to gain credit at degree level for certain qualifications. You then build on these credits with further courses to help you to achieve a degree. You could progress from an HNC to an HND, then an Ordinary, General or Pass degree and then to a specialised Honours degree. What do these terms mean?

Through SCOTCATS, points are awarded for recognised learning and you build them up by full or part time study.

120 points are awarded for the equivalent of 1 year of full time study
to gain a degree you need 120 at Level 1 (equivalent to the first year of a degree or to an HNC) plus 120 points at Level 2 (equivalent to the second year of a degree or an HND) plus 120 points at Level 3 (equivalent to the third year of a degree) - 360 points altogether
for an Honours degree you need a further 120 points at Level 4 (equivalent to the fourth year of a degree) - 480 points altogether

Holding an HNC or HND gets you off to a good start.

There will probably be a fee to pay for additional courses. Depending on previous funding you have had for other courses, you may get some financial support. The college or university where you will take the courses will provide advice on this. Alternatively, visit the Students Awards Agency for Scotland website.

All of the Scottish Universities and Institutes of Higher Education are involved in the SCOTCATS scheme.