RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Gain formal recognition of your skills and competencies in order to advance your academic career

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the identification, assessment and acknowledgement of the full range of an individual’s skills, competencies, knowledge and work ethos obtained through informal training, certificated learning, non-accredited courses, workshops, on-the-job and life experience. Existent learning and experience are compared against the learning outcomes required for a specific qualification. Please consult the South African Qualifications Authority for further information about RPL in South Africa.

Applicants who do not meet the entrance requirements for the intended academic programme they wish to study at the UCT Graduate School of Business can apply as RPL candidates by submitting the Portfolio of Evidence Assessment (POL) form in addition to their application. 

UCT GSB admissions will provide candidates with access to the POL only once they have completed the online application for their respective academic programme and they paid the application fee. 

Please note the following documents are required before you start the RPL submission process: 

  • a completed Portfolio of Learning Application form (this will be provided through the pre-application manager process)
  • electronic copies of certificates from short courses completed (work and non-work related) 
  • electronic copies of any work-related evidence (e.g. performance appraisals, testimonials, job descriptions etc) 
  • electronic copies of personal achievements (e.g. awards etc) 

 Please note the following: 

  • Ensure that you have completed all sections and have all relevant documentation at hand before submitting online. Incomplete POLs cannot be processed. 
  • Once you have submitted you cannot make any changes to your application. 
  • Documents may be submitted only in pdf format. 
  • Do not pay for the RPL until advised to do so by the admissions team.  
  • Ensure that you complete the required minimum word count limits in your POL. Your POL will be deemed incomplete if these minimum levels are not met. 

RPL REQUIREMENTS

The following skill/competencies and the match with the required level of learning outcomes will be assessed based on your submission of your Portfolio of Evidence (POL)

Categories: Skill/Competency Abbreviation Short Description of each Category: (generalised and applicable to all NQF level):
Scope of Knowledge ScK This category is related to the candidate's scope and depths of knowledge on Management Practices in the field of Business Administration and the level of understanding of key concepts, principles and theories.
Knowledge Literacy KL This category shows awareness/understanding of how knowledge is generated, processed and evaluated in the area of Business Administration.
Method and procedure M&P This category comprises the selection and application of appropriate methods, techniques and procedures in the context of the workplace.
Problem solving PS This category is related to the skills and abilities to solve different types of problems in the workplace by using the knowledge and skills described in the categories above.
Ethics and professional practices EPP This category comprises the knowledge, application and evaluation of professional ethical practices in the context of the workplace.
Accessing, processing and managing information Info This category is related to the scope of sources of information, depths of information processing and ways to manage information in its (various) contexts.
Producing and communicating of information Com This category represents the ability to appropriately produce, communicate and present information (professional and academic) in written, oral and practical form to audiences.
Context and Systems C&S This Category shows the ability to operate in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts, the level of understanding and managing of systems and the relationships between elements within the system.
Management of Learning MoL This Category represents the ability to evaluate own and others levels of performance and learning. Further, this category assesses the capacity to apply learning strategies for on-going, self-directed learning.
Accountability ACC This Category represents the ability to take full responsibility for your own work, decision making and the use of resources.