Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at UL

At the University of Limerick, we are committed to enabling lifelong learning and to supporting you to fulfil your academic potential. Our rapidly changing world calls for more opportunities to learn, unlearn and relearn throughout our entire lifetime in order to enhance our individual fulfilment, social cohesion and economic prosperity. Increasingly, the national and international community acknowledge that lifelong learning is key to addressing the multiple social and economic challenges faced by humanity. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a key enabler of lifelong learning and skills development. It gives formal value to learning that has been acquired in a range of contexts, and at various stages in a person’s life. Valuing and recognising learning, regardless of where it has occurred (e.g. in the workplace, community settings or the home), can significantly improve an individual’s self-esteem and well-being, opening up new learning opportunities and strengthening employability.

This national initiative, which is a collaboration between the Technological Universities, the Institutes of Technology and Universities, is working to streamline and strengthen RPL across our partner institutions, so that larger numbers of learners, particularly those in the workforce, can benefit from higher education.

Funded under the Irish Government’s Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 3 (Innovation and agility), this ambitious 5-year (2020- 2025) €6.9m project has transformative potential for Ireland’s education system to become an international leader in the field. Our vision is that RPL will be an integral part of the higher education system, widely understood and utilised as a flexible pathway to further learning, certification and professional development.

For more information on the National RPL in Higher Education Project, see: www.priorlearning.ie

Case Studies

Fabian Joyce

How did you use RPL to gain access to UL?

I used the RPL route to apply for the MA in Music Therapy. My previous life experience, various training, interests and volunteer work were all taken into consideration as part of my application and interview process.

Tell us your RPL story!

I was a self-employed carpenter by day and musician by night. This afforded plenty of opportunity to travel, work and manage various construction teams and projects in many different countries around the world. Music has always been central to everything I do in life. For more years than I could remember I always had a burning ambition to make a living from my music in some shape or form, but never found the right fit. After some difficult life experiences, I found I needed the help of a psychotherapist, which turned out to be a life changing and career defining choice. I found the process so fascinating that I did some initial training in biodynamic psychotherapy but wanted to find a way to include music also. I did some research and discovered that UL offered the MA in music therapy which was the perfect fit for me. Professor Hilary Moss championed the RPL ethos and along with Dr. Tríona McCaffrey, encouraged me every step of the way. Since graduating I have been working as a music therapist in the west of Ireland and with fellow graduate Lisa Kelly, have founded Anam Music Therapy.

Why was RPL the right fit for you in terms of accessing your course at UL?

Having never completed any third level training prior to the MA, the RPL was the only route which made the course accessible for me. It took some time for me to realise how my life experiences could integrate into the third level environment and provide valuable non-academic perspective on how to learn. The course is designed in such a way that it places value on prior learning and life experience, all of which I felt helped to bolster my confidence in areas of learning that I was less comfortable with.

How has RPL and third level education impacted you?

I have chosen a completely different path in life as a result of the RPL route to third level education. Fellow graduate Lisa Kelly and I have founded Anam Music Therapy, a community-based music therapy service in the west of Ireland. We are working hard on developing and growing the service and find with each challenge presented, we return to our foundational learning at UL to guide us through.

What advice would you give to those considering entering higher education through RPL?

Don’t overthink it and just do it! Life is too short for “what ifs’’. It can be a daunting prospect to embark on a journey back into third level, but the resources, unwavering support from UL faculty and peers alike, ensure that it is a journey well worth taking. Life changing in fact!

Molly O'Sullivan

How did you use RPL to gain access to UL?

I used RPL to gain access into a one-year MSc course in UL after my undergraduate degree.

Tell us your RPL story!

I studied an undergraduate degree in UL studying Psychology and Law modules. I have always been involved in sport for as long as I can remember and during my undergraduate studies in UL, I also studied to become a fitness instructor and personal trainer. I started teaching many fitness classes in UL Sport but I always knew that it was only a stepping stone to where I wanted to be. When I was close to finishing my undergraduate degree, I started thinking about what I wanted to do in the future and where I wanted to be. Strength and conditioning seemed very interesting to me and so the MSc in Sports performance in UL seemed like the perfect fit to get me to where I wanted to be. When looking at the course online I noticed that while the normal pathway into the course was by having an undergraduate degree in a related topic, there was also an option to enter via recognised prior learning. From there I immediately emailed the course director at the time who was kind enough to take a meeting with me right away. During the meeting he told me what would look good on my CV as work experience for the course, he also told me I would have the opportunity to explain why I would be a good fit via an essay.

Having graduated from my MSc in 2021, I now work with two professional tennis players on the WTA tour. It is a dream come true for me and would not have happened had I not applied for the course in UL via RPL and met the amazing people involved in the course along the way. I travel the world to different tournaments and in my first year I have already been to Roland Garros (French Open), Wimbledon and US Open.

Why was RPL the right fit for you in terms of accessing your course at UL?

Absolutely, if it wasn't for UL having an RPL option there is no way I would be where I am today. I did not have an undergraduate degree in a related topic for the course I wanted to pursue, but I knew the course was perfect for me and was what I wanted to pursue in my future career. I made sure that my CV and essay when applying for the course were perfect and reflected how perfect of a fit, I would be for the course.

How has RPL and third level education impacted you?

When I first entered UL, like many other students at 17 or 18 years old, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted for my future. Toward third and fourth year this became much clearer for me, and this realisation made me work toward gaining experience in the field I wanted to pursue before entering the course. I made sure to finish my undergraduate degree to the highest level I could as I knew the grades would also matter in my future endeavours. Having gone through the work experience in strength and conditioning before entering the course further ensured me that this was the correct path for me.

What advice would you give to those considering entering higher education through RPL?

I would advise them to take the route I took and email the course director for whichever course you are interested in. They are always happy to meet and answer any questions you have. Also, give yourself time. I decided almost a year in advance, while in my fourth year of my undergrad, that an MSc in Sports Performance was the course for me. This gave me the time to talk to the course director and learn an insight into the type of students who take on this course and also gain some experience to make myself a good candidate for RPL.

Another piece of advice I would give to students entering a course via RPL is to have some confidence in yourself. It can be hard entering into a course when you know that your classmates have taken more similar modules and have completed similar tasks in their previous studies but take confidence in the fact that you want to be there and want to learn and try to go the extra mile to ensure you have gained some experience to help you.

Jeroen Verbruggen

How did you use RPL to gain access to UL?

I used RPL for a master’s degree in health informatics (HI). This degree is a one-year programme.

Tell us your RPL story!

Before entering the master’s programme in HI, I held a position of ICT manager in an Irish hospital with already many years of ICT experience behind me. Although my previous experience was extensive and valuable, I found that it was hard to get recognition for this experience and, especially as many of those years were spent working outside Ireland. When working in one specific environment for many years it is easy to get blinded by the issues of that particular environment. I was at a stage in my career where I wanted to broaden my knowledge with a specific interest in HI. I carried out extensive research into courses available in HI and after reading the different specs of each course I decided that the course on Health Informatics in the University of Limerick was best suited to me. On examining the criteria for entry into the course I noted that recognition of previous learning could be validated for entry into this specific programme. I contacted the relevant department and was soon contacted by Dr Katie Crowley, the HI course director. After discussing my situation with Katie, she explained what I had to do to get my application started for entry into the Masters course, Katie provided guidance which helped me to complete my application. The next step in the RPL route I was advised to write a motivation letter together with an overview of my career progression. The whole process took only a few weeks and culminated with an offer to enrol into the programme. The course was challenging and dedication is required, assignments were constant but help is on hand whenever it is needed. I found the modules interesting and contemporary. Some modules were definitely out of my comfort zone, however I got through the material with the support of my lecturers and fellow students. The course provided me the opportunity to meet people from all different backgrounds with a common interest in HI, this facilitated conversation and through this I made many good friends during this time. Although most of my weekends and many evenings were taken up by study and completing assignments, I maintained my daytime job and even changed jobs and took on whole new responsibilities in ICT in another Irish hospital. After submitting my dissertation in August, I finished my degree successfully last September with a First-Class honours, which I am obviously very proud off.

Why was RPL the right fit for you in terms of accessing your course at UL?

I already had more than 30 years’ experience in ICT. Although this experience is extensive and valuable, I found that it was hard to get it recognised, especially because many of those years worked were outside Ireland. Also, the many courses and diplomas that I had taken during my career were completed abroad and were impossible to validate. Taking all these factors into account and after carrying out research I found that entry into a master’s degree would be an easier option if prior learning was recognised. And finding that UL was offering a masters in HI, RPL made the option of taking a 3rd level course an accessible route for me.

How has RPL and third level education impacted you?

To be honest, initially I felt that I would find academic writing and research very hard. I had never written any document in an academic style, however I found this aspect most enjoyable. Initially I had to get used to writing styles and structure of papers which were to be handed in. I had to do a lot of research and investigation into what was required, but you soon get used to it. Not only has completing the masters motivated me to invest more into myself it also has given me a lot of confidence.

What advice would you give to those considering entering higher education through RPL?

There is no limitation in what you can do. You know your own abilities, do your research, and look for something you are really interested in and start the process as soon as you can, talk to students who have completed the programme previously through RPL and get their perspective, build a relationship with your lecturers and never be afraid to ask questions.