Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

What is RPL?

Have you completed university studies previously? Have you learned through your work, hobbies or positions of responsibility skills that match some of the requirements of the degree you are currently pursuing? Have you participated in continuing education programmes?

The purpose of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is to ensure that you do not have to spend time studying things that you already have demonstrably learned. You can apply for RPL for studies you have completed previously as well as for skills and knowledge acquired in other ways. RPL allows you to build a degree that genuinely enhances your learning and allows you to progress faster towards graduation. In addition, the RPL process will help you reflect on and become more aware of your own knowledge and skill set.

What learning is eligible for RPL?

You can apply for RPL for studies you have completed previously as well as for learning acquired in other ways.

There are two ways of applying for RPL:

• Applying for inclusion of your previously completed studies in the degree you are currently pursuing
• Applying for substitution of studies belonging to your degree requirements with prior studies with demonstrably equivalent learning outcomes (credit transfer).

You can substitute some courses of the degree you are currently pursuing with prior learning acquired through:

• continuing education
• short courses in the workplace
• projects, positions of responsibility or hobbies.

What does my degree consist of?

Familiarise yourself with the degree structure, courses and learning outcomes of your degree in WebOodi.

What prior learning do I have?

Think about the prior learning you have acquired e.g. through your previous studies or work, and identify learning that meets the requirements of specific courses or modules of the degree you are currently pursuing.

What learning is eligible for RPL?

Are my studies that are included in another completed degree eligible for RPL? Familiarise yourself with our list of frequently asked questions about RPL and the University's official RPL guidelines.

What studies do I want to include in my RPL application?

Take time to think about the studies you plan to pursue at the University of Lapland and your prior learning you consider eligible for RPL. Ty to build the best possible combination of your current studies and prior learning that will ensure the best possible progress towards the degree you are currently pursuing.

How to apply for RPL?

Fill in the RPL application form carefully. Please note that there are separate forms for previously completed studies and learning acquired in other ways.

Submit your application with relevant appendices by post or by e-mail

RPL application concerning studies completed elsewhere:

• Inclusion of studies completed elsewhere > Person in charge of RPL in your faculty
• Substitution of studies > Teacher responsible for the course to be substituted
• Substitution of language studies > Language Centre Office

RPL application concerning learning acquired in other ways:

• to the person in charge of RPL in your faculty
  

When you send an application from your ulapland mail, no separate encryption is needed. If you send the application via other mail, you can use encryption and send your message via the https://securemail.ulapland.fi/ service.

Decision in a month's time

Once you have received a positive RPL decision, the credits based on RPL will be entered in the study register within one month of submitting the application. In case your RPL application has not been accepted or it needs to be supplemented, you will be notified of this within the same time frame.

Persons in charge of RPL

• Faculty of Art and Design: Janette Tolppi
• Faculty of Education: Anne Autti
• Faculty of Law: otk.opintopaallikko (at) ulapland.fi
• Faculty of Social Sciences: Mikko Vehkaperä
• Graduate School: tutkijakoulu (at) ulapland.fi
• Language Centre: kanslia.kielikeskus (at) ulapland.fi