Recognition of Prior Vocational and Informal Learning at the University of Oldenburg

Policies and Practices

Recognition of prior vocational and informal learning (‘awarding credit’) has become increasingly important at German universities over the past ten years. Previously acquired skills and competencies can now be credited towards study modules and can replace up to the half of a
bachelor’s or master’s programme. At the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, two (complimentary) methods of recognition are practised: individual recognition according to the PLAR approach (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) and blanket recognition based on systematic equivalence checks. This article describes the existing credit granting procedures and their implementation. Furthermore, the quality criteria are presented on which the procedures are based.