Recognition of prior learning and work experience (RPL)

At the Estonian University of Life Sciences, RPL is regulated by the "Regulation of studies" and "Terms and procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning and Transfer of Study Results. 

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the documents regulating RPL!

RPL deadlines and important information about courses

Previous studies and work experience may be taken into account towards the completion of the curriculum without limitation, but it does not apply to final examinations and defence of final papers.

RPL deadlines:

Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Deadlines for submitting RPL applications:

• September 15 - for recognition of courses taking place in autumn semester
• September 30 - for new students for recognition of autumn semester courses
• February 15 - for recognition of courses taking place in spring semester

Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences

Deadlines for submitting RPL applications:

• September 15 – for the recognition of previous learning and work experience to be taken into account in the completion of the curriculum in the autumn semester;

• February 15 - for the recognition of previous learning and work experience to be taken into account in the completion of the curriculum in the spring semester

   

Applications not related to a specific semester can be submitted on an ongoing basis and are evaluated by the RPL committee within one month from the date of submission of the application.

• Review your curriculum and learning outcomes in Study Information System (ÕIS). A learning outcome shows what someone who has completed the course should know/be able to do.
• Compare your prior learning with the curriculum you wish to complete.
• To demonstrate work experience and independently acquired learning, you must always write a thorough self-analysis, preferably based on the STARR method.

What is STARR method?

If you want learning gained from professional experience to be counted toward completion of a curriculum in the framework of APEL, you must attach self-analysis to the application. Self-analysis may be required also in case of learning gained from continuing education courses and applying for combined recognition. One option is to prepare self-analysis by using the STARR method.

Recommended: select one relevant example from your professional experience to provide evidence of acquisition of each learning outcome.

S – situation; the situation, where the experience was gained, e.g. description of the place of work or a particular single case.

T – tasks; the tasks and roles performed, e.g. position in the organisational structure, responsibilities, tasks performed on a regular basis and the person who assigned the tasks.

A – activities; the activities and methods (techniques, training, principles for the selection of methods and alternatives).

R – results; the most important results (the best, but also the most surprising results that made to analyse and alter the actions); who, how, and on the basis of which assessed the results; what was done with the results. It is best if the explanation is provided on the principle "then and now" – the applicant shall distinguish between previous and current results, describe the difference between them and show his or her development.

R – reflection; the analysis, which indicates the links between the applicant's competencies and the learning outcomes of the course applied for.

The analysis shall be a logical conclusion of the previous parts and the evidence provided.

Point out the areas what you could learn and develop, what went well, what could have been done differently.

The assessor should, by reading the self-analysis and comparing it with the evidence, understand whether you have acquired the required knowledge/skills.

If needed, contact your study programme's study specialist with a pre-filled application and necessary documents.

To apply for RPL, you must submit the appropriate application:

Appendices for RPL:

The RPL committee evaluates the application. The decision is usually made within one month from the date of submission. The decision period may be extended if additional procedures require more time.

When transferring study results and considering prior formal education, the RPL committee compares the aims and learning outcomes of the subject course that has been passed and the subject course of the curriculum and evaluates if the subject course is appropriate in the context of the curriculum.

In case of in-service training and learning from experience, the committee evaluates the compatibility between the competences gained and the aims and learning outcomes of the subject course applied for. 

The committee may ask for additional documents from the applicant and fix a deadline for this. When assessing learning from experience, the committee may give the applicant practical assignments and/or carry out an interview.

Transferred study results and RPL are entered to ÕIS as follows: 

In case of formal studies, the original result is entered to ÕIS. The name of the subject course in Estonian, English and the original language, subject course code, result, name of lecturer, name of the institution in Estonian, English and original language, date of the execution are entered. If the subject course does not have a code or the name of the lecturer, these fields shall be left blank. If the result has been marked in a similar grading system (positive on a scale 1-5), a differentiating mark will be entered to ÕIS according to the valid grading system of the University, in other cases, a non-differentiating result shall be entered;

In case of learning from experience (also when combined with prior studies), the course registered in the ÕIS of the University shall be entered in ÕIS. Estonian University of Life Sciences shall be entered as the place of execution, the date the RPL was registered as the date, the RPL committee as the lecturer. Learning from experience can only be recognised in the framework of subject courses taught at the University. In case of learning from experience, non-differentiating assessment is used; 

If in-service training has ended with an assessment (exam, test), it shall be entered to ÕIS similarly to formal studies, in other cases similarly to learning from experience.

Please note:

• If the credits the student applies to get recognised surpass the credits of the curriculum course, the surpassing amount shall be recognised as an elective or optional subject course.
• If the credits the applicant has received are less than the credit amount of the subject course that is part of the curriculum, the student shall pass more subject courses in order to achieve the amount of credits needed to pass the subject course according to the committee’s recommendation.
• Recognition of prior studies or learning from experience as a part of a subject course shall be agreed upon between the student and the lecturer teaching the subject course and no application is submitted in this case.

• A subject course passed earlier and considered as a compulsory subject course in a former study level cannot be accounted for as an elective or optional subject course.
• Subject courses passed at a lower education level can be accounted for combined with competences gained from experience.
• RPL is not implemented in the case of defending a thesis and/or taking (a) final exam(s).
• RPL and transferring of study results between different higher education levels can take place provided that the student completes the combined study load of the curricula of these different higher education levels.

No RPL application is needed for the recognition of prior learning in the following cases: 

• when the student is transferring courses completed as a visiting student at another higher education institution as elective courses
• a student wishes to transfer courses completed as an exchange student at a foreign higher education institution, if there is a prior written agreement
• upon re-matriculation to the same curriculum version where the student previously studied
• when changing curriculum during studies through applying for a vacant study place
• when recognition of studies is agreed upon in an inter-institutional joint study cooperation agreement

To have courses recognized based on a prior written agreement or to transfer an elective course, the applicant must submit to the advisor document(s) proving completion of studies in the original language of study (if studies were not conducted in Estonian or English), in Estonian and in English. If the document proving completion of studies is only in English, the course title must also be provided in Estonian.
 

If the applicant is not satisfied with the decision to their RPL application, they have the right to appeal the decision.

The initial appeal must be submitted within ten working days to the same person or committee who made the decision on the recognition of prior learning and work experience.

If the student is not satisfied with the reasoned decision of the person or the chairman of the decision-making body who made the decision, the student shall submit a written appeal to the director of studies of their institute within five working days after becoming aware of the contested decision. 

RPL committee for "Planning and analysis in multifunctional forestry"

RPL committee for "Environmental Governance and Adaptation to Climate Change"
 

RPL committee for "Landscape architecture"

RPL committee member

Sirje Vilbaste

RPL committee for "Veterinary medicine"