The overall purpose of RPL is to provide access, mobility and progression within education, training and career pathways by recognising prospective students' experiential learning and prior achievements. RPL supports Unisa's mission to broaden students' participation and ensure that deserving candidates are not excluded from academic opportunities simply because their learning occurred in non-traditional settings.
RPL is a key attribute of all South African higher education policies, frameworks, guidelines and legislation since 1994. RPL also aligns with the imperatives of government, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to fast-track and promote higher education transformation, programme accreditation, lifelong learning and the recognition of prior learning as a gateway to formal higher education programmes. Since students expect their previous knowledge, skills and competencies to be recognised, RPL enhances access and mobility and redresses and supports career development.
The University of South Africa (Unisa), as an open distance e-learning institution, utilises multiple RPL modalities to support diverse learners. These include RPL for access (allowing entry into programmes without formal qualifications), RPL for credit (granting exemptions for modules based on prior learning), and advanced standing. Unisa employs various assessment methods, including portfolios of evidence, challenge examinations, interviews, and workplace-based assessments. Through these modalities, Unisa advances inclusive education by recognising experiential knowledge while maintaining academic standards aligned with national regulatory bodies.
Last modified: Wed Aug 05 09:43:43 SAST 2026