Accredited Prior Learning – Ungraded Credit

Revision to Guidelines for Accredited Prior Learning to confirm when APL credit contributing to a University award can be treated as credit at grade D.

Policy and Guidelines

In some cases students with APL, which was ungraded credit, have been unable to satisfy certain degree regulations for progress, honours entry or final awards due to having an insufficient amount of credit at a minimum grade. It was therefore suggested that APL credit could be treated as the equivalent of grade D or above if the assumption was made that, in accepting prior learning, the University was making a judgment that the prior learning had been at a 'satisfactory' standard.

Senate therefore agreed that for the purposes of (a) the award of a degree, (b) annual progress or (c) entry to Honours, ungraded APL should be treated as credit at grade D or better. Senate also agreed that for the award of merit and distinction, APL students' GPA should be calculated only on the basis of credits studied and assessed at the University of Glasgow.

For the Attention of

All staff involved in taught programmes which accept students with APL.

Approval and Amendments

Approved by: Senate, 2 June 2011

The University’s Guidelines for Accredited Prior Learning were subsequently amended with the addition of paragraph 21 in the Regulations Section: www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/policies/assessment/accreditationofpriorlearning/.

Regulations

20. The regulations for every undergraduate and taught postgraduate award should specify whether or not applications for APL may be accepted. If they are, then the regulations should further specify (or point an applicant to other documentation that specifies):

  • the limits on the total credit value of prior learning (see Paragraphs 7, 8);
  • that no grade (or grade points) will be awarded in respect of prior learning (see Paragraph 9);
  • the designation of the APL Officer.

21. In applying regulations for degrees and other awards, ungraded APL credit should be treated as credit at grade D or better for the purposes of:

(a) the award of a degree;

(b) annual progress, or

(c) entry to honours.

For the award of Merit and Distinction, ungraded APL credit should not be counted and therefore APL students’ grade point average should be calculated only on the basis of credits studied and assessed at the University of Glasgow.