Recognition of prior
learning policy and
process
Quality Services and Governance
Who and what is this policy for:
This policy is for centre staff who are planning to use Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as evidence
towards the achievement of Pearson’s vocational qualifications.
This policy sets out how and when RPL can be used as a method of assessment for Pearson’s
vocational qualifications. It includes guidance on how the RPL process can be managed. If you have
any queries on this policy, please contact us via the Pearson Support Portal
October 2019 version 4
Ratified by PUKLT January 2020
Pearson Education Ltd – Our Mission and Values
Welcome to Pearson, the world's learning company. We have a simple mission: to help people make
more of their lives through learning. Whether it's at home, in the classroom or in the workplace, learning is
the key to improving our life chances. We are the UK's largest awarding body and we are regulated by
Ofqual (England), SQA Accreditation (Scotland), CCEA Regulation (Northern Ireland) and Qualifications
Wales (Wales). We offer academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and
benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in names like Edexcel, BTEC, and LCCI.
Our regulatory policies are integral to our approach and articulate in a consistent way how we meet
regulatory requirements. These policies are designed to support centres and learners with the design,
delivery and award of Pearson qualifications and services.
Contents
1. Scope of policy ...................................................................................................................... 3
2. What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)? ....................................................................... 3
3. Can learners use a previously achieved certificate towards a qualification? ......................... 3
4. An example of the RPL process ............................................................................................ 4
Assessing......................................................................................................................................... 5
Documenting evidence ..................................................................................................................... 5
5. Feedback and complaints process ........................................................................................ 6
6. Regulatory references ........................................................................................................... 6
7. Policy review date ................................................................................................................. 7
1. Scope of policy
1.1 You can apply Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to internally assessed parts of our
vocational 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 in Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland.
1.2 The use of recognition of prior learning is optional. But, if you choose to apply it, you need to
have an internal policy on RPL and the proper resources to do so.
1.3 You cannot use RPL for external assessment, set exams or set assignments.
2. What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
2.1 RPL is about using a learner’s evidence of earlier learning and achievement towards part of a
qualification. An assessor reviews whether the evidence is enough to show that a learner has
met the assessment requirements for a current qualification. The learner 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
2.2 If there is evidence that the learner has previously shown the knowledge, skills or understanding
required by a qualification, this may be used towards achieving that qualification. The evidence
must be:
• valid;
• current;
• reliable;
• authentic and
• sufficient.
2.3 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.
2.4 Applications for RPL must be carried out by staff who are competent to consider and make
decisions about RPL.
3. Can learners use a previously achieved certificate
towards a qualification?
3.1 Occasionally we will map or give guidance to show shared content across units or qualifications
(for example, First Aid Certificates). In these cases, a learner may use a previously achieved
certificate as evidence without them having to repeat learning or assessment.
3.2 If we have not mapped qualifications, you will need to map and check that the learners’ previous
certificated achievement meets the current qualifications assessment criteria. It is important that
you keep a record of the mapping so that we can confirm that it is valid.
Recognition of prior learning policy and process
Author: Head of Principal Standards Authorised by Responsible Officer
October 2019 version 4 DCL 1: Public (Unclassified)
Ratified by PUKLT January 2020
Page 3 of 7
3.3 No extra assessment is needed if a learner’s previously achieved certificate or qualification
meets the requirements of a whole unit.
3.4 Any part of a higher education award (carrying academic credit) which has been certificated by
Pearson, cannot be used as prior learning to contribute to the achievement of another Pearson
higher education award of an equivalent level. Therefore, a Pearson Level 5 Higher National
Diploma that has been awarded and certificated cannot be used as evidence for RPL towards the
achievement of an additional Pearson Level 5 Higher National Diploma. Where an award has not
been certificated this does not apply. Where higher education awards have been certificated by
another awarding body, under license from Pearson, this may not apply as centres must make
case by case determinations as to whether RPL is applicable.
3.5 Where RPL is being used to determine if unit learning outcomes have been met on a Pearson
Higher Education award, the maximum grade that the student can achieve for that unit will be a
pass.
4. An example of the RPL process
Centre preparation
Check that you have staff with expertise to support and assure the RPL process.
Stage 1: Awareness, information and guidance
• Before enrolling the learner, discuss with them the option of using RPL to claim units
for some of their past learning or experience. If the learner is interested in this, you
should explain to them:
o The process of claiming a unit using RPL.
o The support and guidance that is available.
o How long the process will take, how to appeal and any costs included.
• You should check that the evidence provided by the learner for RPL has been
achieved before the start of their course of study.
Stage 2: Pre assessment, gathering evidence and giving information
• Register your learner as soon as they officially start to gather evidence.
• To help the learner in gathering evidence you could create an assessment plan or
tracking document.
• The evidence gathered needs to meet the standards of the unit, or part of a unit, that
the evidence is being used for. Evidence from a learner’s past experience could
include:
o Home or family life
o Non-certificated education or learning
o Paid work
o Community or voluntary work.
Recognition of prior learning policy and process
Author: Head of Principal Standards Authorised by Responsible Officer
October 2019 version 4 DCL 1: Public (Unclassified)
Ratified by PUKLT January 2020
Page 4 of 7
Stage 3: Assessing and documenting evidence
Assessing
• Tell your Standards Verifier/External Examiner, before any monitoring activity
starts, if you have applied RPL for any particular units or learners. Your Standards
Verifier/External Examiner may include these in their sample.
• A learner's past achievement that would show evidence of current knowledge,
understanding and skills varies between industries. It depends on the range of their
experience, technological changes and the nature of the outcome claimed. The
Assessor may ask questions or ask a learner to show them skills, to check that their
understanding and skills are current.
• The assessment strategy, where stated, for each qualification must also be followed.
• Assessment as part of RPL is a structured process for gathering and reviewing
evidence and making judgements about a learner’s past learning and experience in
relation to unit standards. The Assessor may look at:
o Work experience records, validated by managers.
o Past portfolios of evidence or essays made by the learner.
o Reports validated as being the learner's own unaided work.
o Expert witness testimonies.
o Professional discussions.
o New assignment briefs or tasks that have been created to fill any gaps in the
learner's work.
• Standards Verifiers or External Examiners are not required to give feedback on an
assignment brief or task if you choose to set one as part of RPL.
• Evaluate all the evidence using the learning outcomes and assessment criteria from
the qualification or unit being claimed. In assessing a unit using RPL the Assessor
must be satisfied that the evidence from the learner meets the standard for all of the
learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
• If we have published assessment or grading criteria, you should review the evidence
against all the criteria.
• If you find gaps in the learner’s work through RPL, then you will need to use
more assessment methods to create enough evidence to be able to award the
learning outcome for the whole unit.
Documenting evidence
• Evidence collected through the RPL process needs to be assessed and verified
through the same quality assurance procedures that your centre uses for any other
internal assessment methods.
• Ensure records of assessment against prior learning are kept and are available for
verification if requested.
Recognition of prior learning policy and process
Author: Head of Principal Standards Authorised by Responsible Officer
October 2019 version 4 DCL 1: Public (Unclassified)
Ratified by PUKLT January 2020
Page 5 of 7
Stage 4: Outcomes of the RPL process
• Once you've checked a learner's evidence and made an assessment decision, it is
important that feedback is given to the learner including the assessment decision
and what options are available to the learner if you have decided not to award the
unit or qualification.
• You should check that the learner understands how they can appeal if they do not
agree with the assessment decision.
• If the learner wants to make a complaint they can do so using our Pearson
Qualifications Website
• If the learner can show that they have met all the learning outcomes and assessment
criteria using RPL they will be able to claim for the unit or qualification.
• If we identify that all unit requirements have not been met, we will:
o ask you to provide more evidence, or
o ask the learner to complete the standard assessment requirements if they
want to achieve the qualification.
Stage 5: Claiming certificates
• You can claim certificates once the quality assurance processes have been
successfully completed using the standard procedures.
• After certification, you need to keep the assessment and internal verification records,
along with any extra RPL records for three years.
Stage 6: Appeals
If a learner wants to appeal against a decision made about their assessment they
first need to follow your centre’s policy and procedures and then our Enquiries and
Appeals about Pearson vocational qualifications policy.
5. Feedback and complaints process
5.1 We welcome your 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 you’d like to give us your feedback or you’re unhappy with the service you
can contact us via the Pearson Support Portal
6. Regulatory references
6.1 UK regulators require all awarding organisations to establish and maintain their compliance with
regulatory conditions and criteria. As part of this process, policies that relate to Pearson’s status
as an awarding organisation will reference any conditions and criteria that they address.
6.2 This policy addresses the following regulatory criteria and conditions:
Recognition of prior learning policy and process
Author: Head of Principal Standards Authorised by Responsible Officer
October 2019 version 4 DCL 1: Public (Unclassified)
Ratified by PUKLT January 2020
Page 6 of 7
Ofqual/CCEA Regulation/Qualifications Wales General Conditions of Recognition September
2019
Recognition of Prior Learning Condition E10
Results for a qualification must be based on sufficient evidence Condition H5
Guidance to the General Conditions of Recognition, June 2019
Recognition of prior learning Guidance on Condition E10
SQA Accreditation Regulatory Principles (2014)
The awarding body shall ensure that it has the necessary Principle 10
arrangements and resources for the effective delivery, assessment
and quality assurance of SQA accredited qualifications
7. Policy review date
7.1 This policy will be reviewed in January 2021.
Recognition of prior learning policy and process
Author: Head of Principal Standards Authorised by Responsible Officer
October 2019 version 4 DCL 1: Public (Unclassified)
Ratified by PUKLT January 2020
Page 7 of 7
