Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access
APEL. A
APEL for Access (APEL.A) offers an alternative pathway for individuals to have their work experience or informal learning recognised as a substitute for the traditional entry requirements for pursuing tertiary education.
Admission Process
- Complete APEL. A assessments conducted by the APEL Centre
- Apply for a programme through Apel.A Certification
- Eligibility to apply for admission into a programme of study using the APEL.A or APEL.M does not guarantee admission to the programme of study.
- Applicants must comply with the admission criteria stipulated below for entry via the APEL.A or APEL.
APEL. A Criteria
- Applicable to local and international applicants
- Must meet the minimum age requirements
- Must fulfil the minimum formal qualifications
- Must have prior experiential learning
T7 Masters Programme
(by Coursework, Mixed Mode and Research)
- At least 30 years of age in the year of application.
- Possess at least an STPM/Diploma/equivalent qualification** (or those with higher qualifications, e.g., Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
- Possess relevant work experience
Pass the APEL A assessment for Master’s Level
- Master of Education
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Design
| Assessment Instrument / Level | APEL T-7 Master’s Level | APEL T-7 Master’s Level |
| Coursework or Mixed mode | Fully Research-based | |
| Aptitude Test | 40% | – |
| Portfolio | 40% | 50% |
| Interview | 20% | 20% |
| Research Intent + Presentation | – | 30% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
APEL.A T7: RM560 (Formulation Student)
Structure of Assessment
| Components | Test Content | Structure of Assessment |
| Bahasa Malaysia Language* |
• Reading & comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar & tenses • Error correction • Spelling | Part A: 13 Objective Questions Part B: 1 Structured Question |
| English Language |
• Reading & comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar & tenses • Error correction • Spelling | Part A: 12 Objective Questions Part B: 1 Structured Question |
| Numerical Literacy |
• Basic descriptive statistics • Basic numeracy • Basic algebra • Problem-solving | Part A: 25 Objective Questions Part B: 1 Structured Question |
| General Knowledge**, Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy |
• General knowledge: current issues, digital literacy, and information sourcing • Critical thinking: logic reasoning, classification skills and pattern recognition | Part A: 25 Objective Questions Part B: 2 Structured Questions |
- The Bahasa Malaysia Language component will not be tested. The number of questions omitted under the Bahasa Malaysia Language component will be added to the English Language component.
- Under General Knowledge, the section on current issues will focus on issues in the global context.
| No. | Entry Requirements | Documents |
| 1 | A Malaysian citizen / an expatriate working in Malaysia / an expatriate’s family members. |
• A certified copy** of MyKad • A certified copy** of the passport |
| 2 | At least 30 years of age in the year of application. | |
| 3 | Possess at least STPM/Diploma/equivalent qualifications*** | Copies of relevant academic certificates along with certified transcripts ** |
| 4 | Possess relevant work experience* | |
Note:
*The local applicants for Master’s (T-7) coursework and mixed mode programmes must
fulfil three requirements:
- The applicant is a Malaysian citizen.
- The applicant is at least 30 years old.
- The applicant has at least STPM/Diploma/equivalent qualifications.
- The applicant has possessed relevant work experience.
*** Applicant may submit appeal to re-sit the Aptitude Test up to a maximum three (3) times within one (1) week from the date of the notification of APEL.A result. If the applicant fails at the 2nd re-sit, the learner must wait for a minimum of three (3) months before re-sitting for the 3rd time.
**** Portfolio re-submission and repeat interview can only be made at least six (6) months after the date of notification of APEL.A result.
***** Applicants apply for admission to RU.
Note:
* The local applicants for Master’s (T-7) fully research-based programmes must fulfil
three requirements:
- The applicant is a Malaysian citizen.
- The applicant is at least 30 years old.
- The applicant has at least STPM/Diploma/equivalent qualifications.
- The applicant has possessed relevant work experience.
*** Portfolio re-submission and repeat interview can only be made at least six (6) months after the date of notification of APEL.A result.
**** Applicants apply for admission to RU.
T6 Bachelor’s Degree Programme
- At least 21 years of age in the year of application.
- Possess relevant work experience.
- Pass the APEL.A assessment for Bachelor’s degree level.
- Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence
- Bachelor in Information Technology (Honours)
- Bachelor in Business Administration (Honours)
- Bachelor in Graphic Design (Honours)
- Bachelor in Multimedia Design (Honours)
Assessment Weightage:
| Assessment Instrument / Level | APEL T-6 Bachelor’s Degree |
| Aptitude Test | 30% |
| Portfolio | 70% |
| Interview | – |
| Research Intent + Presentation | – |
| Total | 100% |
Assessment Fee:
T6: RM370 (Formulation Student)
The Aptitude Test will take two (2) hours
Structure of Assessment
| Components | Test Content | Structure of Assessment |
| Bahasa Malaysia Language* | • Reading & comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar & tenses • Error correction • Spelling | 10 MCQ questions |
| English Language | • Reading & comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar & tenses • Error correction • Spelling | 10 MCQ questions |
| Numerical Literacy | • Basic descriptive statistics • Basic numeracy • Basic algebra • Problem-solving | 10 MCQ questions |
| General Knowledge**, Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy | • General knowledge: current issues, digital literacy, and information sourcing • Critical thinking: logic reasoning, classification skills and pattern recognition | 10 MCQ questions |
* / ** For international applicants, expatriates, and their family members:
- The Bahasa Malaysia Language component will not be tested. The number of questions omitted under the Malaysia Language component will be added to the English Language component.
- Under General Knowledge, the section on current issues will focus on issues in the global context.
| No. | Entry Requirements | Documents |
| 1 | A Malaysian citizen / an expatriate working in Malaysia / an expatriate’s family members. |
• A certified copy of MyKad** • A certified copy of the passport** |
| 2 | At least 21 years of age in the year of application. | |
| 3 | Possess relevant work experience* | |
Note:
* If applicant does not apply with RU after 6 months, he / she will be de-registered from MQA APEL registry.
** Applicant may submit appeal to re-sit the Aptitude Test up to a maximum three (3) times within one (1) week from the date of the notification of APEL.A result. If the applicant fails at the 2nd re-sit, the learner must wait for a minimum of three (3) months before re-sitting for the 3rd time.
*** Portfolio re-submission can only be made at least six (6) months after the date of notification of APEL.A result.
**** Applicants apply for admission to RU.
T4 Diploma Programme
- At least 20 years of age in the year of application.
- Possess relevant work experience.
- Pass the APEL.A assessment for Diploma level.
- Diploma in Digital Game Art
- Diploma in Visual Communication
- Diploma in Business Studies
| Assessment Instrument / Level | APEL.A T-4 Diploma Level |
| Aptitude Test | 100% |
| Portfolio | / |
| Interview | – |
| Research Intent + Presentation | – |
| Total | 100% |
T4: RM240 (Formulation Student)
Structure of Assessment
| Components | Test Content | Structure of Assessment |
| Bahasa Malaysia Language* |
• Reading & comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar & tenses • Error correction • Spelling | 10 MCQ questions |
| English Language |
• Reading & comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar & tenses • Error correction • Spelling | 10 MCQ questions |
| Numerical Literacy |
• Basic descriptive statistics • Basic numeracy • Basic algebra • Problem-solving | 10 MCQ questions |
| General Knowledge**, Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy |
• General knowledge: current issues, digital literacy, and information sourcing • Critical thinking: logic reasoning, classification skills and pattern recognition | 10 MCQ questions |
- The Bahasa Malaysia Language component will not be tested. The number of questions omitted under the Bahasa Malaysia Language component will be added to the English Language component.
- Under General Knowledge, the section on current issues will focus on issues in the global context.
| No. | Entry Requirements | Documents |
| 1 | A Malaysian citizen / an expatriate working in Malaysia / an expatriate’s family members. |
• A certified copy** of MyKad • A certified copy** of the passport |
| 2 | At least 20 years of age in the year of application. | |
| 3 | Possess relevant work experience* | |
Note:
*If applicant does not apply with RU after 6 months, he / she will be de-registered from MQA APEL registry.
** Applicant may submit appeal to re-sit the Aptitude Test up to a maximum three (3) times within one (1) week from the date of the notification of APEL.A result. If the applicant fails at the 2nd re-sit, the applicant must wait for a minimum of three (3) months before re-sitting for the 3rd time.
*** Applicants apply for admission to RU.
Note: APEL A entry requirements of each level follow Guideline to Good Practices: Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access (APEL.A) and Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Micro-credentials (APEL.M), First Edition 2023, MQA
* For the APEL.A T-4, T6, and T-7, the number of years of work experience is not stipulated and may vary.
** The documents must be certified true copies by an officer recognised by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), as listed in the “Certification of Documents”
** For International Qualifications Equivalency, learners may refer to the document entitled “The List of Entry Qualifications for International Student” on the MQA website https://www.mqa.gov.my/new/nilai_taraf.cfm
Certification must be performed by an officer recognised MQA:
- Grade A Government Officer (Pegawai Kerajaan Kumpulan A)
- Principal / Headmaster (Pengetua / Guru Besar / Guru Penolong Kanan)
- Member of Parliament (Ahli Parlimen)
- District Officer / Village Head (Pegawai Daerah / Ketua Kampung)
- Pengerusi JKKK – Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung
- Ketua Kaum / Ketua Anak Negeri
- Commissioner for Oaths (Pesuruhjaya Sumpah)
The certifying officer must include their official stamp, which must display their
- name
- designation
- workplace address