QAA Scotland supports the Scottish higher education sector in the development and enhancement of the recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Our work on RPL is part of the sector's broader approach to widening participation in higher education in Scotland, by making it more accessible to non-traditional learners, encouraging different forms of flexible learning paths and in engaging a more diverse student body.
RPL network
In collaboration with Universities Scotland, we coordinate a higher education institution (HEI) RPL network. It provides a forum for members to share and learn from RPL practice in Scotland and internationally. Ruth Whittaker, Glasgow Caledonian University, chairs this network, which meets two to three times per academic year for workshops and discussions relating to RPL practice.
The RPL network currently focuses on three main strands of activity in response to the network’s priorities, which various members lead on:
- building an evidence base on RPL success
- improving the visibility of the work of the network
- research and tracking of RPL in Scottish HEIs.
The membership of the network spans the majority of Scottish HEIs, in particular, staff who work in areas related to RPL, such as: programme and course leaders; student support staff; senior studies staff; and registry and quality assurance staff. The network also has members from NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council. There are currently 50 members.
QAA Scotland RPL developments
European RPL network
QAA Scotland, in collaboration with the Scottish Government, has hosted two meetings of a European network on RPL.
The network was established by the Bologna Follow Up Group after accepting the proposal submitted by QAA Scotland. The proposal was based on recommendations in the QAA Scotland/Scottish Government report on the Recognition of prior learning - sharing European principles and practice conference.
The first meeting was held on 5 November 2010 at Glasgow Caledonian University and was chaired by Mike Mannion (Vice Principal Learning Innovation, Glasgow Caledonian University). A group of delegates from several Bologna countries met to discuss how the Network would operate. The second meeting was also held at Glasgow Caledonian University on 23 June 2011 and the group discussed a forward programme of work. This will be published on this website in due course along with presentations from the meetings.
Further information on the European network
For further information on RPL work, or to enquire about joining the network, please contact Heather Gibson, Development Officer, QAA Scotland.