Recognition of Prior Learning
Find out how you can convert your knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows you to convert relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of credits you need to study to gain that qualification.
Types of RPL
RPL can come from previous study, employment, voluntary work or training courses. The three types are:
Credit transfer
Credits, or a qualification, from a UK higher education degree-awarding body can be transferred to a Newcastle programme These must be in line with the relevant higher education qualifications framework and Qualifications and Credit Framework.
These credits must be at the same level of study or higher. Credit transfer may be internal. For example, from one Newcastle programme to another). They can also be external, but marks are only retained for internal credit transfer.
Prior experiential learning
This is an assessment process whereby an academic unit recognises a student’s learning gained through experience.
Prior certified learning
An academic unit can recognise prior learning that is at a higher-education level that was:
- not at the right level
- earned outside of a UK institution
How decisions are made
Decisions to grant credit transfer and RPL are academic decisions based on individual students’ applications and academic judgement about whether or not the prior learning maps appropriately onto stated learning outcomes for modules at the University.
Recognition of Prior Learning Statements
Every Academic Unit has an RPL statement. These include information on:
- how to apply for RPL or credit transfer
- what evidence is needed
- how your information will be handled
- the timescale for a decision and a named contact to be in touch with if you want to apply
School X
School X UG Combined Honours (Y001) RPL 2025-26
School X UG Combined Honours (Y001) RPL 2024-25
School X MSc Leadership in Climate Change & Sustainability (5495F) RPL 2025-26
School X PG MSc Leadership in Climate Change & Sustainability (5495F) RPL 2024-25
School X UG Philosophy (V500) RPL 2025-26
School X UG Philosophy (V500) RPL 2024-25
School X PG Research Training (3044F) (3044P) (3426P) - RPL 2025-26
School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences
School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences - UG and PG - RPL 2025-26
School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences - UG and PG - RPL 2024-25
School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences - MRes - RPL 2025-26
School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences - MRes - RPL 2024-25
School of Dental Sciences
School of Dental Sciences - Dental Education PG - RPL 2025-26
School of Dental Sciences - Dental Education PG - RPL 2024-25
School of Dental Sciences - PG Programmes - RPL 2025-26
School of Dental Sciences - PG Programmes - RPL 2024-25
School of Dental Sciences - UG Programmes - RPL 2025-26
School of Dental Sciences - UG Programmes - RPL 2024-25
School of Medicine
School of Medicine - Physician Associate Studies Programmes - RPL 2025-26
School of Medicine - MSc in Physician Associate Studies - RPL 2024-25
School of Medicine - Medical Education Programmes - RPL 2025-26
School of Medicine - MSc of Medical Education - PG - RPL 2024-25
School of Medicine - MBBS Programmes - RPL 2025-26
School of Medicine - MBBS Programmes - RPL 2024-25
School of Medicine - Clinical Science (Medical Physics) - RPL 2025-26
School of Medicine - Clinical Science (Medical Physics) - RPL 2024-25
School of Medicine - Clinical Science (Physiological Sciences) - RPL 2025-26
School of Medicine - Clinical Science (Physiological Sciences) - RPL 2024-25
School of Medicine - PG Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography - RPL 2025-26
School of Medicine - PG Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography - RPL 2024-25
School of Medicine - PG Certificate in Interventional Nephrology - RPL 2025-26
School of Medicine - PG Certificate in Interventional Nephrology - RPL 2024-25