Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience

By accrediting university-level studies completed elsewhere you are able to replace entire modules or individual courses in your degree programme or include them as part of your studies. Studies completed elsewhere must correspond with the level of the degree programme (EQF 6 or EQF 7).

Replacement means the replacement of studies included in the curriculum with higher education studies of at least the same level (EQF/NQF 6 or EQF/NQF7) and with similar learning outcomes completed elsewhere in the same field of study.

At Jamk, students can apply for replacement for the so-called for compulsory studies. You can replace entire module (less than 30 credits) or individual courses.

Inclusion means the inclusion of higher education studies of at least the same level (EQF/NQF 6 or EQF/NQF7) completed elsewhere as part of the degree.

Students can include previously elsewhere completed studies as part of your alternative or elective studies. Accreditation for a larger module (more than 30 ECTS credits) is also applying by including.

The recognition of informal learning (prior to studies or during studies) means that you try to understand and structure the competence you have acquired in relation to the learning outcomes of the module or course. Informal learning may have been acquired, for example, at work or in hobbies. In order to be able to recognise, or accredit, the competence you have acquired as part of your studies you must describe and prove your competence. You may demonstrate your competence in the form of an interview, portfolio, learning diary, video, etc.

Demonstration of competence may also be required if your previously acquired competence only partially replaces the course in your HOPS. The rest of the course can be completed as agreed with the teacher.

Learn more about the modules in your degree programme and courses as well as their learning outcomes. You can find the learning outcomes in your curriculum. If you feel that you have mastered the learning outcomes, you may apply for accreditation.

1. Before applying for accreditation, you should have a guidance discussion with, for example, your career tutor.
2. Apply for accreditation on the basis of a guidance discussion in Peppi from the teacher in charge of the course or module. For larger modules, accreditation is applied from the person in charge of the education, who is usually the head of the degree programme at Jamk. Get to know Peppi instructions for applying for an application.
3. In the application, describe to the teacher in charge or the head of the degree programme the basis of why you are applying for accreditation and how your skills correspond to the learning outcomes of the studies. Make use of the evaluation criteria of each course or module.
4. Submit the certificate of previously completed studies, e.g. transcript of records. In addition, you can share the details of the study attainments through the opintopolku.fi service. Read the instructions for sharing study attainments on the Elmo intra.

The process of recognition of informal learning progresses as follows:

1. Consider your competence: what knowledge and skills could you accredit in the recognition process?
2. Compare your competence with the learning outcomes of the courses. You can find the learning outcomes in your curriculum.
3. Discuss accreditation for competence with your Career Tutor (the guidance discussion).
4. Fill out the application in Peppi and address it to the teacher in charge of the course or module and agree on a demonstration of your competence with her/him. Get to know Peppi instructions for applying for the application.
5. Attach a certificate of your competence to the application. It can be, for example, a certified copy of your employment certificate.
6. The teacher in charge accepts (or rejects) the application and the contract information is transferred to your PLP.
7. Demonstrate your competence as agreed with the teacher.
8. The teacher in charge assesses your competence and makes an assessment decision.
9. If your demonstration is not accredited, you may complete your demonstration once.