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Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL)

Entry to a UCB programme with exemption (from one or more modules) or with advanced standing (i.e. direct entry to level 2 or 3).

It is possible to gain exemption from modules on a University College Birmingham (UCB) programme by a process called Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL). This is a process whereby UCB awards specific credits to students for learning that has been recognised and certificated by another institution. It is also possible by this process to gain entry to level 2 or 3 of a UCB programme, that is enter with advanced standing.

The process works as follows:

  • Requests for exemptions from modules or for entry to a UCB programme with advanced standing, through APCL, are normally made at the time of application.
  • The Admissions Unit will request that the applicant supplies as much evidence as possible on the content of their previous programme, together with the assessment methodologies employed.
  • The Admissions Unit will also request evidence of the applicant's overall performance if their previous programme has been completed, or performance to date if the programme is not yet completed.
  • The Dean of the relevant Academic School, Coordinator of the relevant programme area or other designated academic member of staff will carry out a matching exercise comparing the modules within the applicants previous or current programme with those in the relevant UCB definitive documents.
  • The member of staff making the assessment will complete a Module Comparison Form indicating from which modules the applicant could be considered to be exempt.
  • The Module Comparison form will be returned to the Admissions Unit and used as the basis on which to make an offer to the student.
  • The Module Comparison form will also be used at the time of registration, and to prepare an individual timetable for the applicant if one is required.
  • Credits may be transferred but normally no grades will be awarded for any modules certificated at another institution.
  • Progression Agreements exist with institutions whereby applicants who have successfully completed specified programmes at the partner institution are allowed entry with advanced standing to named UCB programmes. These agreements are monitored.

Evidence submitted in support of such a request must meet the following criteria:

  • Relevance - The student should be able to demonstrate that the learning for which they make a claim is appropriate to the programme of study.
  • Level - It should also be at the same level as the UCB programme.
  • Authenticity - The evidence should be clearly related to the students own efforts and be able to be verified as such.
  • Sufficiency - Whether you have sufficient evidence to demonstrate fully the achievement of the credit being claimed.
  • Currency - In some subject areas the knowledge-base may become out of date. Where your qualification may have been gained more than 5 years ago, some evidence of updating may be required.

Exemptions can only be considered against whole modules. The maximum number of credits which can be transferred are two thirds of the total credits for a UCB programme.