Recognition of prior learning in doctoral studies

Instructions for recognition of prior learning in doctoral studies

The recognition of prior learning (RPL) refers to the process of approving a student’s formal, non-formal or informal learning as part of a degree, study module or study unit. 

Types of prior learning performance:

• Substitution refers to substituting a study unit included in the curriculum fully or partly with studies the student has completed earlier or on the basis of competence acquired outside formal education.
• Inclusion refers to adding a study unit or study module completed in a higher education institution as part of a degree or adding a study unit as part of a study module.
• Custom course credits are attainments completed at the University of Jyväskylä that do not substitute for any existing courses. The requesting and granting of custom course credits is always agreed upon and instructed case by case.
   

Can I apply for recognition of prior learning? What type of performance (attainment type) do I choose?

If you have completed doctoral studies elsewhere than at the University of Jyväskylä, you can apply for recognition of prior learning in the form of substitution or inclusion. This applies to situations where you have completed a course or other study unit and it has been accepted by an educational institution other than the University of Jyväskylä, and you have received a certificate or other document for it. The application for recognition of prior learning (substitution or inclusion) is made in the Sisu system. A certificate/document from the completed study course must be attached.

If you have completed something that is not a course but, for example, a conference presentation, a scientific article, teaching or work experience, researcher mobility, etc., as a rule, these are normal completion methods which are usually mentioned and defined in the curriculum of the doctoral programme. In these cases the credits will be recorded for you in accordance with the practices of your own faculty. Please consult your supervisor and/or the faculty's doctoral education coordinator.

If necessary, the faculty's doctoral education coordinator will instruct you to apply for custom course credits (studies completed at the University of Jyväskylä that do not substitute for any existing course).

The possibilities for recognition of prior learning should be discussed when creating the personal study plan. The matter should be discussed with your supervisor(s) and/or the faculty's doctoral education coordinator well before the start of the studies in question.

You can get more information about the matter from the faculty's doctoral education coordinator. Please contact the coordinator via the HelpJYU form Contact doctoral education services.