Sweden
RPL in Sweden
Legal provisions for RPL can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (HEO), chapters 6 and 7, and in the Regulation for Validation (ValF). The provisions for access are more contemporary and clearer than those for credits. The concept "RPL" or "validation", is unfortunately not used or defined in the Higher Education Ordinance, nor in the Higher Education Act, but in in the Education Act regulating primary and secondary education.
There are national regulations for access to higher education, including RPL, but RPL has been implemented in various ways at different HEIs. There are HEIs that are known to be "RPL-oriented" and others where RPL is not on the agenda. There are no national regulations or guidelines on RPL for credits, the main reason being that as governmental agencies are autonomous authorities and make their own decisions. However, many HEI's have developed internal policy documents for recognition of prior formal learning (for credits) where RPL is included.
National legislation and initiatives with a direct impact on RPL:
- New Ordinance for RPL/validation for all educational sectors – Valideringsförordningen (SFS 2022:1549) (January 2023), which formulates that RPL can lead to a qualification, part of a qualification or access
- The Swedish Council for HEI (UHR) has received the formal task to facilitate RPL (validation) in higher education, which may include support to the national RPL network. Previously the task was to promote HEIs' work with widening participation (UHR's instruction, September 2022)
- The Swedish Rector's Conference (SUHF, the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions) just updated the recommendations on RPL for access to higher education, (March 2023). Recommendations for RPL for credits are not yet in place.
National network for RPL/Validation - Nationella Valideringsnätverket (NvN)
Most Swedish HEIs are today engaged in a regional network for RPL. The networks are organized in geographical areas: South, Middle, West and North. These regional networks are in turn represented in a national network for RPL/validation: National validation Network (NvN).
The national network meets about four times a year, more often if required. Minor meetings in between, on different topics. A smaller group of experts meets informally more often.
Meetings are being held digitally.
The national network is not yet formalized, but this is being discussed currently. Swedish HEIs are autonomous authorities, which is a challenge in the process of formalization. One suggestion is to create an expert group under the Swedish Rectors' Conference (SUHF), as a neutral platform.
The national network is based on peer learning, reciprocity, and the idea that we gain more from being part of the network than not. Specific interests like RPL needs networks.
University of Gothenburg, Sweden (coordinating Organisation of the Network)
University of Gothenburg (GU) is one of the largest HEIs in Sweden and is actively working with widening participation and inclusion, bridging courses like Complementary Programs for Foreign Academics, activities for refugees etc. RPL is an important tool in all these areas.
Since GU was one of the initiators to start the first national RPL-network in 2016 and has led a regional network for RPL during several years, it is natural for the University to continue its work and be an active part of both a regional and a national network for RPL in higher education.
Swedish Council for Higher Education - Universitets- och högskolerådet (UHR)
The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) has been involved in different projects to support widening participation and implementation of RPL in higher education. 2018-2021 UHR coordinated the Erasmus+ funded project RPL in Practice.
UHR hosts the national coordinated admissions services for HEIs, and is an important national stakeholder regarding RPL for access.
2022 UHR received the formal task to facilitate RPL (validation) in higher education, which may include support to the national RPL network.