TUT RPL
TUT RPL, In this chapter, unless otherwise indicated –accredited institution of higher education” means one of the following:
– A South African public institution of higher education.
– A private provider of higher education, registered with the Registrar of Private Higher Education Institutions, in accordance with section 54(2)(a)(i) of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (ActNo. 101 of 1997) as amended.
– An internationally accredited institution of higher education, accredited by its government asan institution of higher education, that is included in relevant handbooks (such as the International Handbook of Universities, published in association with the International Association
of Universities).
– A South African college for Further Education and Training accredited as a provider with Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training; 30.1.2 “advanced qualifications” are the second or higher level of qualifications offered; they typically follow on “entry level qualifications”; 30.1.3 “applicant” refers to a person who applies for or intends to apply for RPL or any other application in terms of this policy. An applicant may be a current registered student (part-time or full-time) or a potential student; 30.1.4 “entry level qualifications” are the first level of qualifications on the Higher Education Qualifications Sub Framework (HESQF), and they commence on level five (5) of the HESQF.
They include qualifications such as higher certificates, diplomas, bachelor and professional bachelor degrees (Although these examples are provided with reference to the HEQSF framework of 2013, it is acknowledged that an interim transition period will exist where previous qualifications will also apply); 30.1.5 “equivalence” is an award made to grant an applicant admission to a qualification based on the fact that the applicant’s qualification is at least 70% equivalent to the prerequisite qualification for a specific programme; 30.1.6 “equivalent qualification” means a qualification, completed at an accredited institution of higher education, which is not identical to the admissionrequirements of the programme but which is evaluated to be on the same NQF Level, and of which the study content overlaps by at least 70% with that of the set admission requirement qualification; 30.1.7 “formal learning” means learning that occurs in an organised and structured education and training
environment and that is explicitly designated as such. Formal learning leads to the awarding of a qualification or part qualification registered on the NQF; 30.1.8 “informal learning” means learning completed at any institutions other than “accredited institutions of higher education” or any non-credit-bearing learning completed at “accredited institutions of higher education”; 30.1.9 “lifelong learning” means learning that takes place in all contexts in life from a life-wide, life-deep and lifelong perspective. It includes learning behaviours and obtaining knowledge, understanding,
attitudes, values and competences for personal growth, social and economic well-being, democratic citizenship, cultural identity and employability;
30.1.10 “non-formal learning” means learning (competencies) achieved through life and/or work experience and not via formal qualifications or credits;
“Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)” means the principles and processes through which the
prior knowledge and skills of a person are made visible, mediated and assessed for the purposes
of alternative access and admission, recognition and certification, or further learning and development;
30.1.12 “prior learning” refers to the competencies currently held by the applicant, regardless of how,
when or where the learning occurred. Such competencies may be attained in a number of ways
and include learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning; and
30.1.13 “status” means the recognition granted to an applicant to register for a programme if the applicant
is not the holder of the required admission qualification or an equivalent qualification, but is the
holder of another qualification on the same NQF Level as that of the prerequisite qualification.
30.2 RULES
30.2.1 Equivalence is an application for admission to a qualification based on the fact that the applicant’s
existing qualification is at least 70% similar to the prerequisite qualification, as stated in the admission
requirements for that programme (see 30.1.5 and 30.1.6).
30.2.2 Request to issue a qualification is an application based on an anomaly (a deviation from the norm
or from expectations) that prevents the issuing of a qualification. To merit the consideration of such
a request, special circumstances should prevail.
30.2.3 RPL for advanced admission is an application for admission where the applicant does not meet the
stated admission requirements but wishes to be admitted to an advanced qualification on the basis
of RPL. As part of a rigorous assessment process the applicant would need to furnish evidence of
exceptional experience, depth and scope before his or her application would be considered.
30.2.4 RPL for entry level admission (with NSC certificate) is an application for admission into an entry
level qualification where the applicant holds a Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate or
equivalent qualification that fails to meet the specific admission requirements of the intended entry
level qualification 7. Applicants need to provide evidence of significant and relevant prior learning
before applications will be considered.
30.2.5 RPL for entry level admission (without NSC certificate) is an application for admission into an entry
level qualification where the applicant does not hold a Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate
or equivalent qualification, and where application is made for RPL to be granted on the basis of
work experience, prior learning and maturity. Applicants need to provide evidence of significant and
relevant prior learning before applications will be considered.
30.2.6 Status is an application to register for a programme when the applicant does not hold the required
admission qualification or an equivalent qualification, but holds another qualification on the same
NQF level as that of the prerequisite qualification (see 30.1.13).
30.2.7 Subject RPL is an application for recognition of a specific subject(s) to obtain RPL exemption for
that subject(s).
30.3 RULES REGARDING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT
30.3.1 It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide proof/evidence of prior learning and acquired
competencies when applying for RPL. Such evidence must be submitted in a language that is in
accordance with the University’s language policy.
30.3.2 Applications for RPL must be submitted at least six (6) months prior to the intended date of registration.
30.3.3 Applicants must adhere to the agreed target dates for submission of evidence, completion of activities,
or any other actions required to successfully complete the application process.
Prospectus 2018 – Students’ Rules and Regulations 3
30.3.4 Applicants who have obtained qualifications outside the Republic of South Africa must include a
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Certificate of Evaluation of qualifications presented.
30.4 RULES REGARDING TUT RESPONSIBILITIES
30.4.1 TUT is responsible for providing counselling and guidance to the applicant regarding the preparation
of evidence for RPL applications.
30.4.2 TUT is responsible for processing applications in a timely, clear and transparent manner.
30.5 RULES RELATED TO APPEALS BY APPLICANTS
30.5.1 Appeals should be submitted within ten (10) working days of receipt of the decision by the appli-cant.
30.5.2 An applicant may appeal against a decision if s/he feels dissatisfied with the process or assessment
decision.
30.6 RULES RELATED TO ASSESSMENT FOR RPL
30.6.1 Assessment for RPL must be done in compliance with the TUT policy on assessment and moderation.
30.6.2 Assessment for RPL must focus on previously acquired competencies, not on current teaching and
learning practices.
30.6.3 When applications for subject RPL are approved, results on the academic record will be reflected
as “RPL exemption” and no marks will be allocated.