IBFIM’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
IBFIM’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of recognising forms of education a learner has previously acquired from his personal and/or professional experience through his formal, non-formal and informal learning. The differences for each type of learning are as follows:
Formal Learning
The hierarchically structured and graded academic system, running from primary school through university as well as specialised training and certification programmes by either technical or professional institutions.
Informal Learning
Learner acquires relevant attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from daily interaction in his/her personal and professional environment.
Non-formal Learning
Any structured training or education activity outside the formal learning system provided by academic, training or professional institutions whether in the form of workshop, short course, forum, convention and the like.
There are two types of RPL recognised by IBFIM:
Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL)
RPCL is the process of recognising learner’s prior learning acquired via training and/or professional education system which has been assessed or accredited by local or international awarding body, as being compatible to a particular level within IBFIM Qualification Standard (IQS).
In this context, RPL is based on the grading system of the previous certificate and recognises the grading compatibility with IBFIM programmes.
Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
RPEL is the process of assessing and recognising learning which has been acquired by learner via informal and non-formal learning in his/her personal or professional environment, which may not be readily identifiable with any particular level within IQS.
However, compatibility with IBFIM programmes may still be derived based on nature of the learning in relation to the learning objective of the related programme. In this context, learning may be gained through experiences or training programmes attended in the learner’s workplace or community activity.
RPL by IBFIM is offered to both Malaysian or Non-Malaysian nationals seeking recognition of their prior learning in relation to participating in IBFIM’s programmes. RPL application may be made based on either RPCL or RPEL, or a combination of the two, for one of the following purposes:
To access IBFIM’s programme with lower qualification
In the situation where a learner does not satisfy the normal entry requirement of a programme, RPL may be claimed where learner is required to demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to start the programmes via an alternative route.
To access IBFIM’s programme with lower qualification
Learner may apply for RPL to shorten the normal period of study of a programme by demonstrating he/she already has the required knowledge, skills and understanding needed for the completion of a particular module of a programme.
To request to sit for challenge examination
A learner may apply for RPL to demonstrate that they have the required knowledge, skills and understanding needed for completion of a particular programme via a challenge examination which is similar to the Programme or Modular final examination. Learner who successfully passed the challenge examination shall receive certification of the programmes.
To request exemption from enrolling into classes of a particular programme
Completion of IBFIM programmes would normally require the learner to register and enrol the modules and pass its final examination. RPL application may be submitted by the learner with sufficient level of experience related to the learning outcome of a programmes, to be exempted from class enrolment and be allowed to sit for final examination instantly.