From prior learning assessment to specialised pedagogy: facilitating student transition through RPL assessment and selection

There has been a movement across South Africa’s education sector to widen access and participation in higher education. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)) programmes offer an opportunity to do so by providing access to higher education to those who do not necessarily have the prerequisite requirements. Many RPL programmes are still being piloted, and little research has been conducted on the transition of postgraduate RPL students. To better understand RPL student transition, the researcher followed a case-study approach in which the experiences of RPL students enrolled in an online postgraduate diploma programme in management in marketing (PgDipMM) at a South African university were investigated. The programme piloted a novel RPL assessment and selection process which aimed to address criticisms of previous models. Findings indicated that, to a large extent, the novel RPL assessment and selection process appeared to have facilitated RPL students’ successful transition into a postgraduate diploma.