Guide
Apply for Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) in Health Sciences
Updated on 7 July 2023
RPCL transfers credit from your previous learning to your chosen course. Learn what this means and apply to transfer your previous credits.
How your credit can contribute to your course
Pre-registration (undergraduate) courses
Up to 50% of the programme may be awarded as prior learning. This must be mapped to the Standards of Proficiency for registered nurses and programme outcomes and must comply with Article 31(3) of Directive 2005/36/EC.
Post-registration (BSc) course
To complete any of the BSc courses we offer, you need a total of 120 points at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 9.
You can transfer up to 50% of the credit needed for the final award through RCPL.
- if 120 credit points are needed, then 60 credit points can be transferred
Postgraduate (MSc) courses
To complete any of the MSc courses we offer, you need a total of 180 points at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 11.
You can transfer up to 50% of the credit needed for the final award through RCPL.
If the award is:
- an MSc (180 credits), then 90 credit points can be transferred
- a PG Diploma (120 credits), then a maximum of 60 credits can be transferred
- a PG Certificate (60 credits), then a maximum of 30 credits can be transferred
Providing evidence of study
For the BSc or MSc, you must have completed your previous certificated learning within the last five years. You need to provide evidence of this, usually with a transcript of previous study or a certificate. This must include confirmation of the level studied at and the number of credits gained.
Transferred credit will not contribute to the award of merits and distinctions for non-honours degrees.
This RPCL credit can be general or specific:
- general credit - where your previous learning is equivalent to the academic level and number of credits within your chosen course.
- specific credit - a module that is equivalent to one of the modules in our course with learning outcomes that can be mapped against it.
It is your responsibility when you apply to provide the detailed information required from a previous institution or organisation for the purposes of accreditation by the University.
Avoidance of double counting
If you exit from a University of Dundee course with an intermediate exit award and later re-join or continue to study for the degree (or next exit award), you will have the lower award cancelled. You will need to hand back any intermediate award issued (for example a Certificate or Diploma) before the degree (or next exit award) is awarded on successful completion of the course.
An exception to this is where the lower award is a specific requirement for professional accreditation purposes. In these cases you would join the degree level of the course as if you were a new entrant and would use the lower award as exemption credit towards the requirements of the degree. This enables you to retain the lower award without double counting credit, and the exemption credit will be shown clearly on your transcripts for the awards.
Apply for RPCL
Your application will be reviewed and we will let you know about the outcome of your claim.
There is no charge for credit transfer.