Bahrain Polytechnic Quality Management System Policy Section: Academic

Bahrain Polytechnic Quality Management System

Policy Section: Academic

English Version

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Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012

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- Credit Recognition P/A/AB/012.1

5

- Guidelines: Credit Recognition Policy

7

Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012 This copy printed on: 28-01-2015

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.

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

 This policy applies to Administrators, Academic Managers, and those that consider applications for credit transfer.

Processes:

 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

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

 A/AB/005: Assessment and Moderation

 A/AB/ 018: Enrolment and Academic Progression

 A/AB/010: Student Admission

 A/AB/025: Student Appeal

Forms

Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012 This copy printed on: 28-01-2015

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. Guidelines

 Scope

 Fees

 Assessment

 Results

 Review and Appeal

 Responsibilities of Heads of School

 Training For Advisors and Assessors

 Other Authorities



Procedures

Bahrain Polytechnic Quality Management System

Policy Section: Academic

Credit Recognition Procedure

Procedure Reference: P/A/AB/012.001

Version: 1

Person Responsible: Director: Academic Development

1. Purpose

Describe steps in processing credit recognition applications.

2. Related Policy



Credit Recognition Policy A/AB/012

3. Related Documents (Rules, Guidelines, Flowcharts, Forms)

 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

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: 28-01-2015

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.

Step

Responsible

Outcome

Location

(Optional)

2. Application forwarded to

appropriate HOS

Manager of

Enrolment

Application received

by HOS

3. Confirm Institution that

granted original credit is

approved by HEC or other

relevant institution.

HOS or delegate

Written

confirmation

from

HEC

or

Director

QMAP

4. Review evidence and

document decision.Forward

completed form and original

evidence to Faculty Admin

and then to Registry.

HOS or delegate

Completed approval

section

of

application

form

along with copy of

original

evidence

stored in student file

Student file

5. Result recommended for

approval and forwarded to

the Academic Board

Faculty Board or

Faculty Results Sub-

Committee

Faculty Board or

Faculty Results Sub-

Committee minutes

6. Academic Board approves

results

Academic Bd

Academic Board

Minutes

7. CR entered on Student

Record

Manager of

Enrolment

Course CR recorded

Student

Transcript

8. Student informed of

decision

Manager of

Enrolment

Decision advised

Email

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:

Guidelines: Credit Recognition Policy

 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

Page 8 of 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.