• Who can apply for RPL access?
• Overview of the process

Who can apply for RPL access

Who may apply?

You are welcome to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) if you believe that your prior learning meets the requirements for admission to an undergraduate qualification offered by Unisa.

If you apply for RPL, you are claiming that your prior learning (the learning you have gained in different learning contexts) is equivalent to the formal admission requirements of a qualification.

To be allowed to study for a qualification with RPL, you need to demonstrate that your work and research experience have rendered you competent in terms of the relevant learning. 

Criteria for RPL access

As an RPL candidate, you must:

• have at least five years' relevant work experience in the study field in which you would like to apply for admission to study (If you want to apply for a BCom Finance degree, for example, your experience should be in finance. If you want to apply for a BEd degree in Teaching, you will be required to have five years' teaching experience);
• have knowledge and skills from experiential learning contexts that are transferable to the academic context and that are at the required level for admission to university learning programmes;
• provide acceptable supporting documents and evidence as proof that you have gained sufficient learning through experience to gain admission to study a degree through an RPL assessment process;
• have the desired personal attributes, such as motivation and dedication, to succeed in an open distance e-learning (ODeL) context;
• demonstrate the ability to plan academic activities realistically and to complete assessments within an ODeL context;
• have the ability to extract relevant learning from your work experience and to transfer your knowledge and learning to the academic context, as evidenced in the RPL application;
• have gained sufficient academic English literacy skills through prior learning at the required level; and
• have suitable and sufficient numeracy and mathematical skills gained through prior learning to meet the college requirements of the College of Accounting Sciences; the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; the College of Economic and Management Sciences; and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology.

How long will it take?

RPL is a rigorous and lengthy process. This means that you must apply well before your registration date. Please see the overview below for more steps in the process.

It may take up to a year from the date of your application for admission to register for the qualification. This will enable you to submit evidence of your prior learning and give the assessment panel time to assess it and provide feedback. Click here for application and registration information. 

Overview of the process

1. Decide what to study

Select the qualification you want to register for from the Unisa website. If you are not sure of what to study, visit the Unisa Directorate for Counselling and Career Development website.

2. Check if you meet the admission requirements

The admission requirements for each qualification are available on the Unisa website.

2a. Because you meet the admission requirements of the qualification, RPL is not required

If you meet the formal admission requirements of the qualification you have chosen, you should follow the conventional route and apply for a student number and admission.

2b. You do not meet the admission requirements for a degree or diploma

If you do not meet the admission requirements of your chosen qualification, check whether you meet the requirements of a lower-level qualification (eg. a diploma or higher certificate) and apply to study it. A higher certificate may be a good option.

2c. You do not meet the admission requirements for a higher certificate

If you do not meet the admission requirements for your chosen qualification or a higher certificate, apply for admission to your chosen qualification. If your application is declined, apply for RPL. 

3. Apply for admission

• Apply for admission to your chosen qualification. You must apply for each new qualification, even if you already have a Unisa student number.
• The application section will assess your application. This may take a month or longer after the application closing date.

If you do not meet the admission requirements, your application will be declined. At this point, you may follow the RPL application route if you meet the criteria listed above. You may contact the RPL academic coordinator for more information.

The RPL process allows for alternative access to an undergraduate qualification. Applying for direct access means that you do not meet the admission requirements to study for an undergraduate qualification or a higher certificate, but you do have considerable relevant experience to be admitted through the RPL access process.

4. Apply for RPL

Contact the RPL academic coordinator of the college at which you intend to study and send the rejection letter and your CV. After your submission has been screened, the RPL coordinator will grant you access to the RPL system by providing you with the login details and a password.   Complete the application online and upload your supporting documents and proof of payment of the application fee.

As you engage in the RPL process, you will receive:

• detailed information about your eligibility for RPL
• the banking details and RPL handling fee
• timeframes and deadlines.

5. Feedback from the RPL academic coordinator

The assessment panel has 21 calendar days to assess your RPL portfolio. Once the panel has considered your application, you will receive an RPL feedback letter explaining:

• whether you are a candidate for further assessment
• the details of the portfolio development workshop
• the details of the RPL maths test (if a college requires it).

6. RPL assessment

If you are a suitable RPL candidate, further assessment is compulsory and comprises the following:

Portfolio of evidence

You have to submit a learning portfolio of evidence. The portfolio must be completed in accordance with portfolio guidelines. The link to the portfolio guidelines will be sent after you have paid the assessment fee.
You must:

• confirm attendance at one of the portfolio development workshops (details will be provided in your RPL feedback letter)
• pay the full assessment fee
• attend the scheduled portfolio workshop (if a college requires it).

7. Wait for the outcome of your assessment

Direct access granted - you may register

If you receive a letter from the RPL academic coordinator stating that you are Competent (C), you must register for your qualification during the next registration cycle. You will be allowed to register only for the qualification stated in your feedback letter. If you do not register in the next registration cycle, your RPL opportunity will lapse. 

Access not granted

If you have been found Not yet competent (NYC), contact Unisa's Directorate for Counselling and Career Development to explore another study option.

8. Register

Your RPL outcome letter will provide guidance on the next steps in the registration process.