Unlock Your Potential: Discover RPL & CAT Today!
At Cornerstone Institute, we pride ourselves on creating accessibility for all, because education is one of the key driving forces for positive change in the world. We aim to pave the way for lifelong learners and those wanting to make a difference through education.
RPL & CAT: Your Fast Track to Success - Here's Why!
Are you longing for a higher educational qualification but hindered by financial constraints, concerns about time commitment, or a lower matric pass or no matric? At Cornerstone Institute, we understand your aspirations and are here to help. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation Transfer (CAT) services aim to unlock the true value of your skills and explore how they can contribute to a recognized qualification. We believe in the significance of your existing knowledge and are dedicated to finding the best study pathways for you at Cornerstone. Embrace the opportunity to fast-track your educational journey today!
A little on RPL?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process that acknowledges and validates an individual's existing skills, knowledge, and experiences acquired through informal or non-formal learning. It is a formal assessment procedure that recognizes and gives credit to individuals for the competencies they have gained outside of traditional educational settings.
As experts in our field, our website is dedicated to fully comprehending, appreciating, and ultimately honoring the wealth of knowledge and expertise you have acquired through your formal education and hands-on experiences. Our primary objective is to provide you with an enhanced opportunity to obtain a recognized qualification that truly reflects your abilities and accomplishments.
- With years of work experience and a proven track record that has contributed towards a unique set of skills and knowledge.
- Having completed workplace training programs or learnerships.
- With expertise gained over many years of employment and wish to, or are required to have a higher educational qualification to continue working.
- In a situation where the rules surrounding your professional license-to-practice have changed and you require a degree or postgraduate qualification.
- Simply wishing to have a better opportunity at furthering your career and educational prospects.
- You have completed a number of short courses or training programmes which could be recognised in helping you gain access to university study with possible exemptions.
- You have an incomplete post-school qualification or simply feel you want to return to study and use your prior learning credits towards a qualification at Cornerstone Institute.
- You have engaged in online learning, self-study and short courses that might count towards part of your qualification.
Your knowledge gained from work and other forms of experiential learning will be documented and assessed and if successful, may count for up to 50% of the credits acquired for the qualification you want.
Applicants will need to provide details of knowledge and skills acquired from:
- Paid and unpaid work experience, volunteer work and training programmes.
- Life experiences, such as life skills, hobbies, leisure activities or parenting.
- Prior formal education, non-formal and informal study, online courses and workshops.
People wishing to return to learning can now apply for exemption or for credit transfer and if granted, will only need to complete the balance of subjects needed for the qualification.
At Cornerstone Institute we understand that your time is precious and we want to make it possible for you to accelerate the time to graduation wherever possible.
Unlock Your Credentials: Discover if You Qualify for RPL!
RPL for Access and RPL for Exemption
Our RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) access route is specifically designed for individuals aged twenty-three and above, who may not meet the conventional entry criteria for a program. For instance, they may not have completed matric or only achieved a certificate pass. However, these prospective students have acquired substantial knowledge and skills through various means, such as work experience, non-accredited courses, self-study, or online learning. We offer an assessment of these skills against the entry requirements of the desired qualification. If successful, this assessment enables you to enroll in a degree or postgraduate degree program at the esteemed Cornerstone Institute.
RPL for Access
Are you longing for a higher educational qualification but hindered by financial constraints, concerns about time commitment, or a lower matric pass? At Cornerstone Institute, we understand your aspirations and are here to help. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation Transfer (CAT) services aim to unlock the true value of your skills and explore how they can contribute to a recognized qualification. We believe in the significance of your existing knowledge and are dedicated to finding the best study pathways for you at Cornerstone. Embrace the opportunity to fast-track your educational journey today!
RPL for Exemption
Likewise, should the knowledge and skills you have acquired through prior work experience (both paid and unpaid), short courses, self-study, and online learning align with the content covered in a specific module of your desired degree program, you have the opportunity to "challenge for exemption". Successful completion of this challenge means you are exempted from having to complete that particular module in order to graduate. It's important to note that exemption may not be granted for more than 50% of the modules comprising a program offered at Cornerstone Institute.
What is CAT?
Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) is a crucial process through which any credits earned from a previous qualification or partial qualification are meticulously assessed. If the evaluation proves successful, these credits can be transferred and applied towards your selected programs of study. CAT allows for the transfer of credits solely for modules or subjects that are deemed comparable. For instance, if you have completed certain modules in Literature and Psychology as part of a BA degree at reputable institutions, and you intend to pursue your BA degree at Cornerstone Institute with similar module offerings, you have the opportunity to apply for credit transfer and accumulation.
RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is a comprehensive process that requires diligent effort and substantiated evidence of prior learning. However, with the appropriate evidence and dedicated hard work, coupled with our robust support systems, we guarantee a pathway to successful access. We are committed to guiding you through the RPL process to the best of our abilities. Even in the event that you are not admitted to your preferred program, we provide a wide range of support services to assist you in advancing your educational journey at Cornerstone Institute.
At our RPL and CAT Unit, we are dedicated to providing expert guidance throughout the documentation process for your RPL or CAT application. Our comprehensive services encompass valuable information and advice on the necessary rules and procedures. To ensure a seamless transition, you may be required to do a pre-selection workshop. These workshops assess your proficiency in essential skills like reading, writing, and problem-solving, which are vital for university-level studies. Please note that participation in these workshops is mandatory. Upon successful completion, you will have the opportunity to progress into the Portfolio Development Course for Access (PDCA) and/or the Tests for Access and Placement (TAPs), paving the way for further academic advancement.
The Portfolio Development Course for Access (PDCA) is specifically designed to support you in creating a personalized Learning Portfolio, which forms an integral part of your application for admission to your desired qualification. The PDCA incorporates both summative and formative assessments, utilizing exploratory and evidence-based processes to ensure the comprehensive preparation of your Learning Portfolio. Within your Learning Portfolio, you will be required to provide various elements such as a biographical essay that elucidates your unique knowledge and learning journey, transcripts and outlines of any previous learning, as well as appropriate assessments based on your chosen program and whether you seek access or exemption.
To evaluate your readiness for higher education studies, we administer Tests for Access and Placement. These tests assess crucial skills in reading, writing, and numeracy that are essential for academic success. It is important to note that these services are made available to applicants PRIOR to their admission into undergraduate studies at Cornerstone Institute, enabling us to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure your academic journey begins on a solid foundation.
As experts in education, we are proud to offer the Portfolio of Experiential Learning module as an integral component of our first-year degree program at Cornerstone Institute. This module is meticulously crafted to cater to the needs of registered students who aspire to challenge for exemption or apply for credit transfer. It serves as a valuable opportunity for students to showcase their experiential learning and demonstrate their eligibility for exemption or credit transfer within their chosen program of study.
RPL notice
Information Sessions are now open. Date of sessions to follow!
Pre-selection Workshop and Tests:
- Arts and Social Sciences: Date to be confirmed (TBC)
- BCom and Psychology: Date to be confirmed (TBC)
Portfolio Development Course for Access
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Date to be confirmed (TBC)
- You will have four sessions with a mentor
- Final submission of the experiential portfolio: Date to be confirmed (TBC)
- Fees: total cost of the short course is R2250
Learn more about RPL and CAT at one of our special Information Sessions
Information session dates:
- Mondays – 17h00 to 18h30
- Wednesdays – 17h00 to 18h30
Frequenctly Asked Questions
What is RPL?
RPL stands for Recognition of Prior Learning, which may be used for access to undergraduate study or for exemption from one or more subjects or modules in a qualification.
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RPL stands for Recognition of Prior Learning, which may be used for access to undergraduate study or for exemption from one or more subjects or modules in a qualification.
RPL for access may be used if:
- You are 23 years or older.
- You do not meet the “traditional” entry requirements of a programme, for example, you have an incomplete matric certificate or you only got a certificate pass.
- You feel that, after leaving school, you gained enough knowledge and skills through work and life experience and/or through short courses, self-study or online learning to prepare you for entry into a tertiary degree. This is an alternative entry point into a degree.
RPL for Exemption may be used if:
- You feel you are able to show evidence that you have acquired enough knowledge and skill through work experience (paid or unpaid) and/or short courses, self-study, online learning, that is potentially comparable to the knowledge that is taught in a module within your degree.
- You can then “challenge” for exemption of said module(s).
- Note that credit will not be granted for the module you received an exemption for in this case.
- It will state you have been exempt on your transcript.
- You cannot be exempt for more than 50% of modules within a programme.
Credit Accumulation Transfer refers to the formal learning you have completed and the credits you received for modules/programmes. Where these modules are comparable between courses and institutions, the credits from an accredited qualification or part-qualification can be transferred to another. Eg: You completed a few modules through UNISA, and are now looking to continue your studies through Cornerstone Institute in a similar programme. Some of the modules you have completed at UNISA might be similar or comparable to modules at Cornerstone, making the option of transferring those credits available to you. Please note National Policy states that you cannot transfer more than 50% of credits between courses.
The National Policy states that courses or modules completed more than 10 years ago, cannot be used for the transferring of credits. Applying for exemption through RPL can still be an option.
Comparability is key when it comes to transferring credit and providing the exemption. The knowledge acquired through formal or informal learning should be comparable to the content of the modules you are applying though CAT or RPL exemption for. The determination of whether prior experiential learning or credits acquired towards another qualification are comparable, is the responsibility of the academic staff at Cornerstone Institute.
You will be guided through developing a Portfolio containing an extended CV, some literature reviews, perhaps a biographical essay explaining your knowledge and learning journey, transcripts and outlines of any previous learning and some form of assessment, depending on your chosen programme and whether you are applying for access or exemption.
The Process for Access:
- Apply for alternative access by completing the application form, attend an information session and pre-selection workshop, and if successful,
- Enrol and complete the Portfolio Development Course and Tests for Access and Placement. The results of your performance on the PDCA and the TAPs will determine whether you can be admitted to study on the basis of RPL
The Process for Exemption:
- Apply for your selected programme through the normal application process. Upon acceptance, apply for CAT or RPL for exemption, by filling in the CAT or RPL for an exemption application form.
- You will receive an invite to an information session.
- Register for the Portfolio of Experiential Learning Module.
- Once the module has been completed you may proceed with any further applications for exemption and/or credit transfer.
From first enquiry to the final outcome, depending on how long in advance you start applying:
- RPL for ACCESS: 3-4 months (PDC- runs for 6 weeks)
- RPL for exemption 6-9 months (PDM – runs for 1 Semester/6 months)
ADD COSTS
- PDC Access Course:
- TAPs:
- Portfolio of Experiential Learning Module:
- RPL Challenge for Exemption:
- Applications for Credit Transfer:
Reach out to our professional RPL & CAT advisor in the RPL Unit at
Nariman Laattoe: rplandcat@cornerstone.ac.za