Application for Accreditation of Prior Learning – (APL)
You may be eligible to be granted credit toward a certificate or higher qualification, before commencing that course, if you fit into one or more of the following:
You have studied part of a similar course previously
You have completed a previous course in the same, or a related discipline
You have significant and relevant work experience
have significant and relevant experience, other than work
First Understand These Categories
If you have studied part of a similar course previously
Prior studies must normally be in the same broad discipline (eg. Horticulture, Psychology, Health and Fitness)
Credit awarded will take into account: duration of prior studies (hours of instruction), qualification of teachers, content of the course and the results you achieved
Prior studies in certificates with a duration of less than 100 hours are not commonly considered for credit
Prior studies in short courses or modules with a duration of less than 15 hours are not commonly considered for credit
Formal recognition or accreditation of the institution you studied with will be less important than the above criteria
If you have completed a previous course in the same, or a related discipline
Any credit granted will depend upon the academic level of studies (in accordance with international academic norms), the duration of your studies, the relevance to the content of ea courses and the credentials of those who taught you.
A degree or diploma in one discipline, may sometimes contribute credit toward a different discipline eg. If research skills have been learnt in an engineering degree, you are likely to be exempt from a Research Project in any other science diploma or higher qualification.
If you have significant and relevant work experience
Work experience is only relevant if it is seen as having contributed to the overall learning required to be achieved for the qualification concerned.
The value of work experience will be based upon not only what you did, but also for how long (hours), who your “supervisor” was (and their qualifications), nature of tasks performed and diversity of work.
If you have significant and relevant experience, other than work
Various other pursuits may be considered as a valuable learning experience, including involvement with clubs, associations or professional bodies, serving on committees, volunteer work or travel.
These things must be relevant to the discipline though.
Next Understand How Much Credit You Might Get
We believe that it is degrading the value of any qualification if credit is given for the entire qualification based upon studies and experiences outside of that normal study program.
When a person holds a particular qualification (eg. certificate, diploma or degree), possession of that qualification indicates they have the knowledge, skills, awareness and experiences which are attained through undertaking that qualification. There are intangible benefits which come from undertaking any qualification, such as seeing intimately how a well constructed study program is composed and delivered.
In the light of the above considerations, ea has found its credibility and reputation has been significantly enhanced world wide, by adhering to the following:
No more than 66% credit is ever granted toward any qualification, whatever the circumstances.
Credit is granted less freely toward higher qualifications than for lower qualifications
The first 33% of credit granted is given on the basis that anything shown to have been achieved elsewhere will gain a full exemption (e.g. If the person has adequate plant identification skills, they will be exempt from 33% of plant identification requirements in a course.
The second 33% (up to the maximum 66%) is increasingly difficult to attain credit for (e.g. If a person may already possess knowledge and skills required for 66% of a qualification, they will be unlikely to gain 66% credit. They must significantly exceed this 66% in their current abilities in order to be granted the maximum 66%)
It is rare that over 50% credit is given for any APL application.
How To Apply
The application process is relatively simple, and for some people, may be completed in perhaps less than half an hour. For others, it may take several hours.
There are five main things you need to submit:
1. Contact details
2. The name of the course you wish to be assessed against
3. Details of prior studies
4. Details of prior experience
5. An application fee
Make the application by filling out the following pages:
APL SUBMISSION/APPLICATION FEE:
If no interview is required and this submission is based solely on these forms (NB: This includes a resume and references to substantiate what is written on the following pages), the minimum fee of £100 is charged for certificates and £150 for diplomas. If an interview (phone or in person), or additional documentation is required; an additional £55 per hour fee is involved above the submission fee.
The APL fee MUST accompany the application for APL
Documentation
Copies of any certificates, courses, or any other information which you feel might aid the assessment of your request must be submitted with this application.
References
Three written references must be submitted with this application.
The references must come from previous employers clearly stating skills learnt, duration of employment and experiences, etc.
Exemption And Fees
If exemptions are granted, fees may or may not be reduced.
Application For Accreditation of Prior Learning
(Note if you run out of room, simply attach extra sheets of paper following the same format below)
Surname:
Given Names:
Address:
Postal Address - (if same as above leave blank)
Phone Day:
Phone Evening:
Email:
D.O.B:
What course do you want to be assessed against?
You MUST nominate a course which you are considering enrolling in
This must be a course offered by the educational academy™
Name of the Course: ..............................................................................................
Course Code:
(if applicable) ..............................................................................................
We will evaluate your application and provide you with formal documentation of credit granted in this specified course.
We will also inform you of any adjustment to the normal course fees, or other requirements.
If we find any uncertainty in your application, you may be approached to supply further information, or answer specific questions, before the final assessment is made.
Work experience details:
Indicate in the table below any work experience, either full time or part time. Include any voluntary or unpaid work. Start with the most recent job first.
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Employer |
Type of Work |
F/T or P/T |
Dates employed |
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Address, contact name, & phone No |
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From: To:
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Other experience details:
Examples: Attending seminars, conferences, trade shows, committee work, volunteer work, involvement with associations, clubs, societies, etc.
Indicate in the table below any work experience, either full time or part time. Include any voluntary or unpaid work. Start with the most recent job first.
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Employer |
Type of Work |
F/T or P/T |
Dates employed |
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Address, contact name, & phone No |
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From: To:
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Details Of Prior Studies Modules within Qualifications Completed:
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Name of Qualification State the name and course code (eg. Certificate in Horticulture C12CN002) |
Year Completed when this award was given to you |
Name of Institution The College, School or University name, the town/city, and the country |
Duration (contact hours)* |
Contact email/ phone & web site of the institution **
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*This is the number of actual hours of lectures, workshops, practicals and anything else where you were under direct instruction from a teacher/tutor or for distance education, an estimated equivalent
** Provide an email address which can be used to contact and verify any details you submit. Alternatively provide a phone number include country and area code.
Relevant Modules within Completed Qualifications which you wish considered
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Qualification Name |
Name of Module |
Module Duration (contact hours) |
Lecturer/Teacher/ Tutor And their qualifications …Write in the name of the person who taught this module*** |
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*** if possible, also list the formal qualifications of that teacher/lecture (eg. Mark James B.App.Sc.,Adv.Cert.Hort.)
NOTE: If possible supply photocopies of transcripts/results.
Important additional information
Check back over the application form to ensure you have included all relevant information.
Have you enclosed all letters of proof and support?
Have you filed in the sections correctly?
Have you enclosed the application fee?
You will have the opportunity to clarify points regarding your APL assessment.
It is the responsibility of the student to show proof of experience and education. Lack of relevant evidence will not aid the process of gaining APL
Note: The higher the qualification you are aiming to gain APL for, the more details and proof are required to gain exemption/credit.
Qualifications or experience which is more than ten (10) years old, that has not been maintained or updated, will not be eligible for consideration when assessing an APL. However, it is still advised to mention early qualifications and experience.
APL may be granted on parts of a lesson, or parts of a course.
How We Calculate Discounted Course Fees
There are always some costs (eg. Student records and administration) which are unchanged even when you are given exemptions in a course.
As such, 15% of your course fee will not be discounted.
Example: Course costing £3000.00; exemption 50%
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1. |
We calculate 15% of the current certificate course fee |
£450.00 |
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2. |
We discount 50% from the remaining 85% of the current certificate course fee |
£1275.00 |
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3. |
These two figures are added together |
£1725.00 |
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4. |
Any fees you have paid for processing the APL are deducted from that amount (example £100 |
£1625.00 |
Note : If paying in instalments a further charge applies:
1. 8% of the course cost for 2 instalments.
2. A further charge applies for payment plans of more than 2 instalments.
Office Use Only
APL Checklist
When completing an APL please include this form on top of all paperwork
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Applicant Details |
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Applicants Name: |
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Contact Details: |
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Email: |
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Phone: |
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Address: |
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Payment |
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Cross credit or APL, please circle. |
CROSS CREDIT |
APL |
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Has the applicant paid: |
Yes
Date: |
No |
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Course |
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Intended Course for enrolment: |
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No of required modules in course: |
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Modules for APL |
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APL |
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Has the applicant submitted APL form: |
Yes |
No |
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Has student services been notified? |
Yes |
No |
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Assigned Tutor: |
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Approved: |
Yes |
No |
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Details: |
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Action Required:
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