Recognition of Prior Learning
Taking previous studies and work experience into account (RPL)
Taking previous studies and work experience into account is regulated by the Study Regulations and the Conditions and Procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning and Professional Experience in Degree Study.
Previous studies and work experience are taken into account at the request of the student. The student must submit an application to the Dean’s Office of the Faculty. The application is evaluated by the Faculty’s RPL Committee that must reply to the application in writing within one month from the date of submission of the application. Applications submitted for the completion of the curriculum are not reviewed in July.
Previous studies and work experience may be taken into account in the completion of the curriculum without limitation, but it does not apply to final examinations and defending graduation papers.
Application form for taking into account previous studies and work experience
Annex 1 (taking courses/continuing education into account)
Annex 2 (taking work experience into account)
In addition to the application and the corresponding annex, the student must submit documents certifying studies (the original and a copy), e.g. a diploma, extract of the diploma supplement, a document describing the substance of the studies and other materials (e.g. portfolio, description of work experience, creative work, etc.), unless the completion of the course has been proven in the Study Information System. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of submitted documents and other materials.
External students, part-time students who pay for the studies on the basis of the credit point price and non-UT students appying for admission to a vacant study place have to pay application fee depending on the volume of the application. The fee is 7 euros per credit point applied for, except in the following cases. The fee is paid before evaluation.
The review and evaluation of the application is free of charge in the following events:
- the applicant is a full-time student who has no limitations related to previous higher education studies in Estonia;
- evaluation of courses completed earlier at the University of Tartu is applied for;
- evaluation of compliance of previous studies with the terms of admission is applied for;
-
the student does not have to pay the tuition fee, as he/she a) has a moderate, severe or profound disability; b) is a parent or caregiver of a child under the age of seven years or of a child with a disability; c) studies in the Teacher Training curriculum and works as a teacher; or d) studies in the Master's programme in Nursing.
If the applicant is discontent with the reply received to the application for taking previous studies and work experience into account, the decision can be appealed.
There is at least one RPL Advisor in each Faculty or College, who gives advice in issues relating to previous studies and work experience.
No RPL application is needed for the recognition of prior learning in the following cases:
- the student is transferring courses taken at another higher education institution on the basis of the study plan;
- the student is rematriculated to the same version of curriculum he/she has studied earlier;
- the student is changing curriculum;
- recognition of study results has been agreed on in the joint study cooperation agreement between education instututions;
- applicant for Master's studies has completed a curriculum which matches the prerequisite curriculum in terms of content.
If you did not receive an answer to questions relating to previous studies and work experience from your Faculty, you can contact by e-mail vota [ät] ut.ee
Appealing decisions relating to taking previous studies and work experience into account
If the applicant is discontent with a reply received to an application submitted for the purpose of taking previous studies and work experience into account, the applicant can appeal it.
The initial appeal must be filed either orally or in writing with the same person or committee who made the decision concerning taking the previous studies and work experience into account.
If the person (or committee) who made the decision does not change the decision, the student can appeal to the Dean within seven days after the announcement of the appealed decision.
The following appeals must be submitted in writing.
Appeal of a decision concerning taking previous studies and work experience into account (form in Estonian).
A copy of the appealed decision and, if possible, additional document supporting the appellant's position (original copies and copies) should be appended to the appeal.
The procedure for appeal, the possibilities of resolving appeals and the time limits of replying have been set out in the Study Regulations of the University of Tartu.