When completing a study programme it is possible to apply for the recognition of prior refresher courses, work or other experiences if the prior experiences are connected in content with the courses taught at the university.

What can be accredited as what?

As a rule, continuing education courses, work and other experience can be accredited as compulsory courses. Work experience and refresher courses cannot be accredited as electives and open electives, because in their case the student has the possibility to choose another course taught at the university.

Completing study programme Compulsory course Elective course Open elective course  
Training courses + + +  
Work experience + +    
Other experience +      
Participating in University Representative Collectives*     +  
Student Academy*     +  

 

*Read additional information.

What should you know before applying?
  • Submitting an application must be done in the semester before the course takes place (students who are in their first semester are exception). Check the deadlines from the Academic Calendar.
  • The application cannot be submitted for a course the student has already registered in. 
  • Previous experience (work, training course or another experience) must be in accordance with a course taught at Tallinn University.
  • Combined accreditation is also possible, in case the student wishes for work experience, training courses as well as previous studies to be accredited as one course at Tallinn University.
  • Nearly every academic unit includes RPL counsellors who readily introduce the principles and process of RPL.
How to apply?

In order to apply you need to complete the application form (PS! Students and external students shall complete the application in the Study Information System). Be sure to familiarise yourself with the instructions in the Study Information System and in the application form that will help you fill in the form. It is recommended to consult an RPL Counsellor.

Materials that provide proof of prior experience include:

  • Documents certifying previous formal studies (e.g. a diploma supplement, course description, description of course content)
  • Documents that prove passing continuing education courses (e.g. diplomas and certificates of the courses)
  • Documents about work experience and other activities (e.g. a copy of an employment contract, job description, certificate from the institution, copy of a publication, documentation of events and other activities)
  • Other materials the applicant considers relevant
  • PS! Original documents as well as copies are submitted (the originals are returned to the applicant after verifying the copies). If necessary, translations of foreign language documents are also submitted.
Form for the analysis of learning from prior experience (LPR)

When completing a study programme it is possible to submit an RPL application no later than on the semester before the course takes place. The deadline is the semesters' intermediate week (the first semester students are excepted). Students (including external students) shall complete the application in the Study Information System; non-students shall submit their applications on paper to the academic unit (institute/department/college). Applying for RPL is free of charge for the students of TLU.

Who assesses the submitted application and what is the assessment based on?

The assessment of applications for recognising continuing education courses, work and other experiences is conducted in the assessment committee. The deadline for assessment is the last day of the semester. First years students' applications that are submitted on the pre-week are reviewed faster. If necessary, an interview may be conducted with the applicant or he/she may be given an additional task. 

The criteria for assessing an application for recognising continuing education courses, work and other experience are as follows:

  • Prior experience and learning that stems from it, as stated in the application, have a logical connection with the content and learning outcomes of the course/module applied for.
  • The analysis of the learning gained from experience proves that the student has acquired all learning outcomes.
  • Application forms have been completed in a correct manner; added documents are authentic and prove the acquisition of all learning outcomes.

If the criteria are met and the content of the previous experience conforms to the learning outcomes of a course in Tallinn University, the application shall receive a positive decision.

How are results reflected on the results sheet?

The results sheet shows the information of the Tallinn University course (code, volume, name), but not the name of a lecturer (as a lecturer has not taught the given course), the result is ‘passed’ (as previous experience is not graded) and the date of the decision is shown as the date of passing the course. The diploma supplement issued upon graduation shall include a note of the course being passed through RPL.