Bahrain Polytechnic Quality Management System Policy Section: Academic

Transcription

1 Bahrain Polytechnic Quality Management System Policy Section: Academic English Version Page Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012 Error! Bookmark not defined. - Credit Recognition P/A/AB/ Guidelines: Credit Recognition Policy 7

2 Bahrain Polytechnic Quality Management System Policy Section: Academic Credit Recognition Policy Reference: A/AB/012 Version: 2 Person Responsible: Director, Academic Development 1. Policy Statement Bahrain Polytechnic is committed to the Credit Recognition (CR) (Credit Transfer). o Credit transfer is the process of recognising prior learning that has already been assessed and awarded credit or awarded other recognition, by HEC approved institutions, to assist learner progression. This policy describes the nature of CR and the relevant procedures and guidelines for its administration, including issues of enrolment, fees, appeals and academic results. CR is voluntary for the learner and recognition is given for an individual's learning from experience, not the experience alone. CR can be used: for entry to a qualification; to contribute to a qualification by importing credit. 2. Application People: Processes: This policy applies to Administrators, Academic Managers, and those that consider applications for credit transfer. This policy applies to all assessed courses and programmes, or courses and programmes for which Bahrain Polytechnic has been given specified authority by another body. 3. External Requirements This policy helps Bahrain Polytechnic meet the following external requirements: Higher Education Council (HEC) Higher Education Review Unit of the QQA National Committee for the Evaluation of Academic Qualifications Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012 This copy printed on: Version: 2 <<approval date>> Page 2 of 8 All policies on Bahrain Polytechnic s intranet are the current version. Please check date of this hard copy before proceeding.

3 4. What is Expected: Roles and responsibilities of staff with Credit Recognition (CR) responsibilities and/or involved in the CR process are clearly and explicitly defined. Decisions on CR are made after professional judgement supported by evidence provided by the learner. Assessment is subject to the same quality assurance of assessment arrangements as that of in house assessment. Any implications of CR (or exemption) for progression and the classification or grading of the final qualification are to be made clear to the learner. Prior to beginning a CR claim, applicants are informed of any costs involved and learner must be given appropriate support along with clear communication on what is expected of them. Any limit on the proportion of learning that can be assessed and approved through CR must also be made explicit. Staff making credit transfer decisions have expert knowledge in the subject area and the Bahrain Polytechnic Qualifications Framework. Credit awarded through the CR process are treated in exactly the same way as learning gained in formal contexts. All Programme Regulations regarding maximum CR credit allowed, that are more stringent than that required by the HEC, are specified in the Programme Approval Document. Courses that may not be achieved through CR are specified in the Programme Approval Document. The provisions of the Student Appeal policy, A-AB-025 apply. 5. Key Dates First Approved: This Version Approved: Next Review Date: 6. Links and Related Documents Policies A/AB/005: Assessment and Moderation A/AB/ 018: Enrolment and Academic Progression A/AB/010: Student Admission A/AB/025: Student Appeal Forms Form A/AB/012/2, Application For Credit Recognition Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012 This copy printed on: Version: 2 <<approval date>> Page 3 of 8 All policies on Bahrain Polytechnic s intranet are the current version. Please check date of this hard copy before proceeding.

4 Guidelines Scope Fees Assessment Results Review and Appeal Responsibilities of Heads of School Training For Advisors and Assessors Other Authorities Applications Procedures Credit Transfer Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012 This copy printed on: Version: 2 <<approval date>> Page 4 of 8 All policies on Bahrain Polytechnic s intranet are the current version. Please check date of this hard copy before proceeding.

5 Bahrain Polytechnic Quality Management System Policy Section: Academic Credit Recognition Procedure Procedure Reference: P/A/AB/ Version: 1 Person Responsible: Director: Academic Development 1. Purpose Describe steps in processing credit recognition applications. 2. Related Policy Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/ Related Documents (Rules, Guidelines, Flowcharts, Forms) Policies Forms A/AB/005: Assessment and Moderation A/AB/ 018: Enrolment and Academic Progression A/AB/010: Student Admission A/AB/025: Student Appeal Form A/AB/012/2, Application For Credit Recognition Guidelines Credit Recognition Policy Guidelines Procedures Credit Recognition (Including Unspecified Credit) 4. Procedure: Credit Recognition Step Responsible Outcome Location (Optional) 1. Application for CR received with verified evidence Student Information Centre Application for Credit Recognition Form date stamped Credit Recognition Procedure P/A/AB/012 This copy printed on: Version: 1 <<approval date>> Page 5 of 8 All procedures on Bahrain Polytechnic s intranet are the current version. Please check date of this hard copy before proceeding.

6 Step Responsible Outcome Location (Optional) 2. Application forwarded to appropriate HOS 3. Confirm Institution that granted original credit is approved by HEC or other relevant institution. 4. Review evidence and document decision.forward completed form and original evidence to Faculty Admin and then to Registry. 5. Result recommended for approval and forwarded to the Academic Board 6. Academic Board approves results 7. CR entered on Student Record 8. Student informed of decision Manager of Enrolment HOS or delegate HOS or delegate Faculty Board or Faculty Results Sub- Committee Academic Bd Manager of Enrolment Manager of Enrolment Application received by HOS Written confirmation from HEC or Director QMAP Completed approval section of application form along with copy of original evidence stored in student file Faculty Board or Faculty Results Sub- Committee minutes Academic Board Minutes Course CR recorded Decision advised Student file Student Transcript 5. Application People: This procedure applies to Administrators, Academic Managers, and those that consider or process applications for credit transfer. Processes: This procedure applies to all assessed courses and programmes, or courses and programmes for which Bahrain Polytechnic has been given specified authority by another body. 6. Key Dates First Approved: This Version Approved: Next Review Date: Credit Recognition Procedure P/A/AB/012 This copy printed on: Version: 1 <<approval date>> Page 6 of 8 All procedures on Bahrain Polytechnic s intranet are the current version. Please check date of this hard copy before proceeding.

7 Guidelines: Credit Recognition Policy 1. Scope Credit may only be granted under Credit Recognition (CR) for whole courses. Credit will not be granted for parts of a course. RPL applications will be considered from students admitted to Bahrain Polytechnic programmes. Indicative information only will be given for students considering applying for admission. 2. Fees Application Fee this fee is charged to cover costs of initial consideration, administration and recording, and must accompany the CR application form. The fee must be paid at the time of application regardless of whether the application is granted or declined. Assessment Fee this fee is calculated for the time and resources required to assess the application. The total fee charged cannot be greater than the fee that would be payable if the applicant enrolled in the target course(s). Note: If an application is received for more than one course in a programme at the same time, it will be treated as a single application and will attract a single application fee. 3. Assessment Assessments will be conducted by assessors who are expert in the subject/content areas and are experienced assessors. All assessors will be trained in CR assessment methods and processes. All assessments must follow the guidelines indicated in policy A/AB/005: Assessment and Moderation. It is the responsibility of the HOS to ensure that fair, valid and reliable decisions are made in regard to determining equivalence of courses supported by evidence from subject matter/subject experts. 4. Results The result code will be shown on the academic transcripts as CR. For Bachelor qualifications and higher, a qualification supplement will be provided with the transcript that reflects the graduate profile and includes key information about the programme and student/candidate. A description of how CR credit was awarded will be included. 5. Review and Appeal Reviews of CR decisions must be made in writing to the Head of School within five working days of receiving the decision. The Head of School will review the decision and notify the applicant of the outcome within ten working days of receipt of application. Should the applicant be dissatisfied with the Head of School s decision they may follow l the appeal process.! 6. Responsibilities of Heads of School Ensuring that fair, valid and reliable decisions are made in regard to determining equivalence of courses supported by evidence from subject matter/subject experts; Page 7 of 8

8 Determining which courses CR will not apply to and ensuring this is included in the Programme Approval Document; Ensuring moderation processes are in place and are followed; Ensuring that sufficient staff in the school/programmes are familiar with CR and can act as assessors and advisors; Monitoring, reviewing and revising school CR processes as necessary and at least annually; Ensuring schools document the process and outcomes for CR decisions, inform students of processes and the outcome of claims and maintain records about CR. 7. Training For Advisors and Assessors CR education will be included in the ongoing Professional Development Programme of Bahrain Polytechnic. 8. Other Authorities Where Bahrain Polytechnic carries out assessments and/or issues qualifications on behalf of an external authority, CR procedures will be carried out only with the written approval of that authority. 9. Applications Applications should be handled at the time of initial enrolment, but will be accepted prior to the start of any semester. Applications can take some time to process so applicants should forward applications well in advance (at least 2 months) if that credit is required for enrolment. CR applications must be made and paid for no later than 3 months before the date the student expects to graduate. Prospective students may apply for CR consideration prior to accepting an admission offer. The outcome of the application is indicative only and will only be considered for approval by the Academic Board when the student is enrolled. A fee may be charged for this service. Page 8 of 8