Check your entry route
Review your age, qualifications and relevant work experience against the level you want to study.
Recognition of prior learning
Turn your experience into a possible study pathway.
APEL may help eligible adult learners use prior learning and work experience when exploring entry routes. Eligibility and the correct pathway must be confirmed before applying.
Experience counts
What is APEL.A?
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access (APEL.A) offers an admission route for people whose experience has helped them learn beyond formal education. It may support entry to higher education when the usual academic entry qualifications are not met. An APEL.A certificate is for admission; it is not a diploma or degree.
Build on what you already know.
- Have learning from work and life considered.
- Explore a route back into higher education.
- Understand the assessment before you apply.
- Choose a programme with a clearer entry plan.
From experience to opportunity
Your APEL.A journey, step by step.
Make your application
Confirm the appropriate assessment centre and prepare the application and supporting documents.
Complete the assessment
Follow the assessment requirements for your entry level and study mode.
Plan your next qualification
After a successful assessment, confirm the selected university’s programme admission requirements.
Find your starting point
Which level are you working towards?
These are the general starting criteria for three common APEL.A entry levels. Programme and assessment-centre requirements also apply.
Diploma · T-4
- At least 20 in the year of application.
- Relevant work experience.
- Complete the required APEL.A assessment.
Bachelor’s degree · T-6
- At least 21 in the year of application.
- Relevant work experience.
- Complete the required APEL.A assessment.
Master’s degree · T-7
- At least 30 in the year of application.
- STPM, diploma or an equivalent or higher qualification.
- Relevant work experience and eligibility screening by the assessment centre.
The age shown is a minimum application criterion, not automatic approval or guaranteed university admission.
Check the current MQA guidanceDiploma and bachelor’s criteria ↗Master’s criteria ↗
Know what to prepare
What does the assessment involve?
The assessment considers what you have learned through experience. The components depend on your entry level and, for postgraduate routes, the mode of study.
Aptitude test
Diploma and bachelor’s routes include an aptitude test covering language, numerical literacy and general knowledge, critical thinking and digital literacy. The expected competency level differs by entry level.
Evidence of your learning
A portfolio documents relevant learning from work and other experience. Your assessment centre will explain the required format and evidence for the chosen route.
Postgraduate assessment
Master’s coursework and mixed-mode routes include an aptitude test, portfolio and interview. A fully research-based route uses research intent and a presentation, alongside its other assessment requirements.
A few things to know before applying.
Does APEL.A award a qualification?
No. APEL.A supports access to a programme. The university qualification is earned by completing the programme itself.
Can I use it for any programme?
Availability depends on the programme, university and any relevant professional requirements. Confirm your intended programme before arranging an assessment.
Where should I start?
Share your education, relevant experience and intended qualification with an advisor. The team can help you identify which route and documents to check next.
Important
APEL eligibility and the route available depend on current requirements and the selected programme. An advisor will confirm the correct pathway before you apply.
Your next step starts here
Let’s talk about your experience.
Tell us where you are now and what you would like to study. We will help you understand what to check next.