Principles for Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience at Jamk

These principles have been created to guarantee the student's legal protection and to guarantee non-discrimination in the recognition of prior learning. The principles form a foundation for common practices at Jamk, which are specified in the RPL guidelines for students and teachers.

The identification and recognition (accreditation) of competence means that the student recognises what he/she already knows, which allows him/her to apply for accreditation, i.e. recognition of prior learning based on such competence. The starting point of recognition of prior learning is the learning described as a curricular objective, which the student may have acquired in any way, in any place and at any time.

The process for the electronic identification and recognition of acquired competence (eRPL) in Peppi will always require a guidance discussion between the student and the career tutor, study counsellor or the teacher in charge of the study module. This can be combined with an annual PLP discussion or it can be conducted in some other way.

The competence acquired through higher education studies must be appropriate and up-to-date in relation to the degree to be completed. If the sector is one that changes rapidly, such as IT, it is justified that not everything can be recognised, even if the student has acquired competence a few years ago.

The prior learning to be recognised must correspond to the learning outcomes set for the degree, study module and course.

The person responsible for each course or the teacher in the study module team is responsible for matters related to accreditation. In large study modules (more than 30 credits), the person responsible for the training or a person appointed by them is responsible for matters related to accreditation.

At Jamk, previous, accredited language studies must not be more than ten years old. Language studies accreditations and exemption applications are processed in the Language Centre in accordance with their instructions.

Replacement refers to the replacement of studies included in the curriculum with higher education studies that are at least the same level (European Qualification Framework/National Qualifications Framework 6) completed elsewhere with equivalent intended learning outcomes. (Degree Regulations)

The utilisation of replacement is recommended for individual compulsory studies in the curriculum of the student's own degree programme. An application for replacement is always addressed to the teacher in charge of the course in question.

Inclusion refers to the integration of higher education studies of at least the same level (the European Qualification Framework/National Qualifications Framework 6 or the European Qualification Framework/NQF7) completed elsewhere into the degree. (Degree Regulations)

If the studies subject to accreditation are individual optional studies or elective studies in the curriculum of the degree programme, a student can apply to have them accredited through inclusion. At Jamk, the person in charge of the education or the person in charge appointed by them is responsible for matters related to inclusion.

Accreditation can be given to all courses in the study module by including them if the intended learning outcomes of the study module are met. In this case, studies completed at another higher education institution will be included in the applicable study module as such. The application is addressed to a teacher who is a member of the study module team.

The studies of transfer students and other students who have completed extensive study modules (more than 30 ECTS) can be included in the degree if they are part of a degree or studies in the field in question. Inclusion of large study modules in the degree is the job of the person in charge of the education or a person appointed by them.

The student services automatically replace studies completed in Jamk's open studies in Peppi for students when they are selected through Jamk's open study path. The student does not need to submit a separate application for recognition for these. For individual open UAS courses, the student must submit an application for recognition. If the student has completed open studies elsewhere than at Jamk and is selected for a degree programme through the channel, they will be treated in the same way as other students who have completed more than 30 credits.

The recognition of informal learning, prior to studies or during studies means that the student strives to understand the competence they have acquired and analyses it in relation to the learning outcomes of the study module or course, so that they can describe and demonstrate their competence. Recognition of competence acquired in other ways means granting approval for the competence acquired by the student as an assessment decision. (Degree Regulations)

The student may have competence acquired through their hobbies, work or voluntary activities that they wish to have accredited for their studied. A precondition for this is that the acquired competence can be demonstrated, for example, by means of a written document, interview, video, a learning diary or a portfolio, etc. The application for accreditation is addressed either to the person in charge of the course, the teacher in the study module team or, in the case of extensive study modules (more than 30 ECTS), the person in charge of the education or someone appointed by them.

As a rule, a thesis completed previously or elsewhere cannot be fully accredited. The accreditation of a thesis completed previously or elsewhere is assessed in the thesis team of the field in relation to the learning objectives and evaluation criteria set for the thesis in accordance with the thesis evaluation procedure which is applied at the university of applied sciences. A thesis that is partly or entirely accredited cannot be more than five years old. (Degree Regulations)

The practice of the thesis accreditation are described in the Elmo student (requires login).

Kielikeskuksen päällikkö voi vapauttaa opiskelijan kielitaitovaatimuksista osittain tai kokonaan seuraavista syistä: opiskelijalla ei ole aiempia opintoja ruotsin kielestä, opiskelijalla ei ole aiempia opintoja englannin kielestä, opiskelijalla on asiantuntijan toteama lukivaikeus tai terveydentilaan tai toimintakykyyn liittyvä syy, josta on lääkärin lausunto. (Tutkintosääntö)

Kieliopintojen hyväksiluvut ja vapautushakemukset käsitellään kielikeskuksen kautta heidän ohjeidensa mukaisesti.

The Manager of the Language Centre may exempt a student from the language proficiency requirements partly or entirely for the following reasons: the student does not have prior studies in Swedish, the student does not have prior studies in English, the student has a learning difficulty diagnosed by an expert or a reason related to their state of health or functional capacity for which a doctor has provided a statement. (Degree Regulations)

Language studies accreditations and exemption applications are processed in the Language Centre in accordance with their instructions.

Principles for recognition of prior learning and experience has been approved by Student Affairs Board on 21 December 2022.