Admissions and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL/APEL)

The Writtle College Admissions Policy and Code of Practice are published on our website for new applicants and are summarised below together with information on Accreditation of Prior Learning, i.e. recognition of learning elsewhere that may be taken into account.

Admissions Policy

Writtle College operates an open Admissions Policy that ensures fair and equitable treatment of all applicants and is committed to providing a flexible, high quality teaching and learning environment, focused on supporting students in achieving their full potential. The College offers a wide range of Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Foundation Degree awards validated by the University of Essex.

The College is fully committed and supportive of equal access and inclusion and aims to avoid unfair discrimination on any grounds. The College is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity and aims to provide a learning and social environment that is free from unfair discrimination. We believe that a student body which is diverse in terms of background and experience contributes to a stimulating learning environment.

All applicants are considered for admission on the basis of educational performance and/or professional experience that provides evidence of ability to meet the demands of the chosen course. We therefore welcome applications from candidates with the potential to succeed at Writtle College. Applicants are evaluated as individuals, considering both academic and vocational achievements, potential to achieve and to meet higher education outcomes.

Admissions Code of Practice

The College is committed to accurate and appropriate pre-entry information and support to prospective students in order to ensure that they are enabled to make an informed decision about whether to apply for a course.

The College operates a centralised Admission Office ensuring a common and transparent approach. Admissions staff make standard offers based on agreed and confirmed course entry criteria and work closely with subject specialist admissions officers to ensure that all offers are fair and concise. The central Admissions Office is responsible for all communications with UCAS, including the transmissions of admissions decisions.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL/APEL)

The College has well established policies for the recognition (or accreditation) of learning achieved elsewhere. If you think that you may have already covered part of the subject material for the course you are interested in, you could enquire about procedures for the Accreditation of Prior (or Experiential) Learning, also known as AP(E)L.

If you feel that this applies to you, first speak to the Admissions Tutor or Course Manager.  You will then need to complete an Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL/APEL) Application Form (available from the link below or from the College Admissions Office).  The completed Application Form will need to be returned to the Admissions Office when you apply for your course, together with the supporting evidence for any prior learning you would like to be considered.

A Handbook is available to explain the process in more detail - see the link below to the Credit Recognition at Writtle – A Guide for Students and Staff.  Further details can be found in the Academic Regulations

• Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL/APEL) Application Form
• Credit Recognition at Writtle (A Guide for Students and Staff)

Further Information (external website)

The Quality Assurance Agency Guide to Academic Credit contains a useful explanation of how credit is used in Higher Education.  The Guide describes what credit is and when it is awarded, and gives details of credit accumulation and transfer.