Helen Meaney, Project Manager, achieved her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at SETU through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway.
Helen’s extensive career in project management across all areas of business operations generated great professional success. However, there was one area, that of higher education, that Helen felt she had yet to conquer.
Reaching full potential
Speaking about her career, Helen said, “Before entering third level education, I was working in industry. I was running my own business, working as a self-employed contractor. Although I was successful in my work, in some ways I felt I hadn’t reached my potential. An academic qualification was something I felt I should have done but hadn’t.”
On the RPL process, she continued, “Through the RPL process, I gained access directly onto the Master of Business Administration programme. It was a huge relief for me not to have to think about sitting a primary degree first, that didn’t appeal to me in my 50s”
RPL learners enrich the learning environment
On the contribution of her professional experience to the learning environment, Helen said, “I used the experience I had gained in industry to prove that I had appropriate learning. It was great to look at my life’s work, not just as something I did, but as something that is invaluably informative and educational. The knowledge that you’ll bring into the classroom. The case studies that you can share with peers. It can’t be replaced.”
Recognising existing knowledge and capability
David Denieffe, Vice President for Academic Experience at SETU, said, “For anyone considering RPL, my advice to them would be to investigate, ask the questions. Bear in mind that in your life and in your learning through life, you have acquired the knowledge and the capability to go on to higher education, and not be afraid to do that.”
RPL at SETU
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means that you can get recognition for learning you have achieved through your work, community work, or volunteering, to support your personal and career development
Through RPL learners can show evidence of learning that has taken place prior to enrolment so that it is recognised and given value. A fundamental principle of RPL is that a learner should not be asked to relearn something they already know.
With RPL, prior learning, once identified and valued, can count towards entry/admission, advanced entry, credit, or exemptions from modules on a course.
There are three types of RPL where the student can do one of the following:
- Gain admission without the standard entry requirements.
- Gain advanced entry (admission to a year other than year 1 of a course).
- Get exemptions from studying certain modules.
For more information on RPL at SETU, click here or contact [email protected]