Table 3.1 

Table 3.2

Notes on the Maximum Permitted Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL)

1. The above maxima are based on the principle that at least one third of the credit required for a Sheffield Hallam University award must be studied at the University as part of a designed and validated programme of study. The maxima from RPCL may be waived, exceptionally, in the following circumstances, subject to approval:

(a) a student who has been awarded an ordinary degree (300 credits) by another institution and wishes to convert it to an honours degree, subject to successfully completing a minimum of 60 level 6 credits at Sheffield Hallam University (ie. exceptionally, credit in excess of two thirds is permitted on the basis of substantial study of a single, validated award for which a nationally recognised credit rating exists). In such a case, 300 out of 360 credits might be awarded via RPCL. Similarly, a student who has achieved an Advanced Diploma of HE in Nursing Studies (300 credits) and wishes to convert it to an honours degree might be able do so, subject to availability of the relevant modules and subject to successful completion of a minimum of 60 level 6 credits at Sheffield Hallam University (ie. exceptionally, in this case 300 out of 360 credits might be awarded via RPCL).

(b) a student who gains entry to the final year of a three year honours degree programme with the maximum of 240 credits from prior certificated learning but later chooses, or is required, to exit at the ordinary degree stage of the programme (ie. exceptionally, 240 out of 300 credits might be awarded via RPCL). If all other requirements for the award of an ordinary degree have been met, eligible students are recognised as having achieved sufficient level 6 learning outcomes commensurate with the amount of credit required for the award of an ordinary degree.

(c) a student entering a one year honours “top-up” or conversion degree with the maximum of 240 credits from prior certificated learning, but who later chooses, or is required, to exit at the ordinary degree stage of the honours top-up programme (ie. exceptionally, an ordinary degree might be awarded after the student has successfully completed 60 level 6 credits). If all other requirements for the award of an ordinary degree have been met, eligible students are recognised as having achieved sufficient level 6 learning outcomes commensurate with the amount of credit required for the award of an ordinary degree.

2. Claims can only be made against whole modules, e.g. an RPCL claim for 20 credits has to be made against a relevant 20 credit module (20 credits is currently the minimum module size for

the majority of SHU undergraduate courses; 15 credits for postgraduate courses). It is not possible to claim credit from prior certificated learning for a portion of a SHU module.

3. When applying the above regulations, the credit volume and level requirements of the Academic Awards Framework, as they apply to each award, must also be met.

4. The above maxima may apply to claims involving a combination of prior certificated learning and prior experiential learning, or claims solely involving certificated or experiential learning.