New publication of the RPL Network Austria: "Anerkennung non-formal und informell erworbener Kompetenzen"

Insights into higher education practice and recommendations for designing validation and recognition procedures from the RPL Network Austria

In July 2025, AQ Austria published the report „Anerkennung non-formal und informell erworbener Kompetenzen: Einblicke in die hochschulische Praxis und Empfehlungen zur Gestaltung von Validierungs- und Anerkennungsverfahren“.

It builds on the publication by Birke and Hanft that came out in 2016 and gives an updated and expanded basis for implementing RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) at Austrian higher education institutions. The reason for the modification was the amendments to the legal framework in 2021 and 2024, as well as the increasing practical experience of higher education institutions in dealing with validation and recognition procedures. 

The publication was coordinated by AQ Austria in the form of an anthology. The contributions were written by members of the RPL Network Austria and combine legal, strategic, and practical perspectives. They range from analyses of higher education rules to descriptions of specific institutional implementations and recommendations for establishing an RPL-friendly higher education culture.

The anthology highlights the central role of RPL in increasing permeability in Austrian higher education and offers higher education institutions practical guidance on developing and implementing quality-assured recognition procedures.

The publication is available here.