Apply Your Experience

Advance Your Career with APEL at UoC
Transform your valuable professional skills and knowledge into academic credits, opening doors to higher education and accelerated career progression. Discover how our Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process recognises your unique journey, allowing you to pursue your degree faster and more efficiently
How long does it take to apply with APEL.A?
Our Education Consultants will guide you on applying with APEL through the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). The duration of the application process can vary depending on the completion of necessary forms and aptitude tests as well as portfolio creation by the applicant. For a complete breakdown of the total timeline from application to assessment and results, please refer here (Link to application process diagram for T6 and T7 here: https://cyberjaya.edu.my/admission/guidelines-procedures/apply-apel) We advise all applicants to plan in advance, keeping in mind the intake dates for the programme they are interested in
What are the entry requirements for APEL.A?

APEL . A

Masters & Postgraduate Diploma

i. At least 30 years of age in the year of application.


ii. Possess at least an STPM/ Diploma/ equivalent qualification


iii. Or those with higher qualifications, e.g., Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma


i.v Possess relevant work experience.


v. Pass the APEL.A assessment for Master’s level.

Bachelor & Graduate Certificate

i. At least 21 years of age in the year of application.


ii. Possess relevant work experience.


iii.Pass the APEL.A assessment for Bachelor’s degree level.

Diploma

i. At least 20 years of age in the year of application.


ii. Possess relevant work experience.


iii. Pass the APEL.A assessment for Diploma level.
How do I apply for APEL.A?

APEL.A?

Step 1

Officially register with MQA at
https://www2.mqa.gov.my/apel_a/

Step 2

Once you have completed your application process with MQA, complete your registration process with UoC by submitting your details here.

Step 3

Our Education Consultant will be in touch in order to guide you on how to prepare you for the Aptitude Test and Portfolio submission along with sample questions to prepare you.
How will I be assessed?
Here are the components that you will be assessed in:
Aptitude Test Bachelor's Masters
Subject
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy
English Literacy
Numerical Literacy
General Knowledge/ Critical Thinking Digital Literacy		 30% weightage
(Tested at SPM/Grade/Year 11 competency level)		 30% weightage
(Tested at SPM/Grade/Year 11 competency level)
Working Portfolio 70% Weightage 40% Weightage
Interview Not required 20% Weightage
Embark on Your Journey to Become a Changemaker.

APEL Form
FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTION

What is APEL?

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is a systematic process that involves the identification, documentation and assessment of prior experiential learning i.e. knowledge, skills and attitudes, to determine the extent to which an individual has achieved the desired learning outcomes, for admission/access to a programme of study and/or award of credits. Learners can base their applications on any combinations of formal, non-formal and informal learning.

Which levels of study are offered for APEL.A application and assessment in UoC?

The following three levels of study are offered for APEL.A application and assessment in UoC:

Master’s Degree Programme
Bachelor’s Degree Programme
Diploma Programme

How to submit APEL.A application to UoC?

The APEL.A application criteria are listed below:


1. Programme at Master’s Degree level
The applicant shall be 30 years of age in the year of application with at least STPM/Diploma/equivalent qualifications and must possess relevant work experience.

2. Programme at Bachelor’s Degree level
The applicant shall be 21 years of age in the year of application and must possess relevant work experience.

3. Programme at Diploma level
The applicant shall be 20 years of age in the year of application and must possess relevant work experience

How long would the APEL.A assessment take to complete?

The APEL.A assessment may take as long as two to four months to complete. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for APEL.A certification six months prior to the date of admission into the intended institution and programme.


1. Master’s Degree level
Minimum period of three months from the date of submission of complete application.

2. Bachelor’s Degree level
Minimum period of two months from the date of submission of complete application.

3. Diploma level
Minimum period of two months from the date of submission of complete application.

The minimum periods stated above are only an estimate for the evaluation process, without there being repetition of any assessment components due to failure. RepetitiPortfo evaluation period. The evaluation period therefore depends on the individual applicants.

How to submit APEL.A application to UOC?

For candidates who would like to undergo APEL.A assessment at UoC, you must first register with MQA (https://www2.mqa.gov.my/apel_a/) before submitting your application via UoC’s APEL.A Portal (https://cyberjaya.edu.my/apply-with-apel). The registration form is to be presented for UoC’s verification and validation.

How much are the fees for APEL.A assessment?

The fees for APEL.A assessment are listed below:

LEVELS FEES (RM)
1. Master’s Degree level RM 560
2. Bachelor’s Degree level RM 370
3. Diploma level RM 240

What are the components in the APEL.A assessment and their weightages?

1. Master’s Degree level Aptitude Test (40%) > Portfolio (40%) > Interview (20%)
2. Bachelor’s Degree level Aptitude Test (30%) > Portfolio (70%)
3. Diploma level Aptitude Test (100%) > Portfolio (Must fulfil the set criteria.)

What is an Aptitude Test?

Aptitude Test is a formal examination which the applicant must pass.
Aptitude Test is to assess the knowledge and competencies of an applicant in the aspects of numerical literacy, languages and general knowledge / critical thinking.

What is the duration for the Aptitude Test?

Test durations are listed below:
LEVELS DURATION
1. Master’s Degree level 2 hours & 30 minutes
2. Bachelor’s Degree level 2 hours
3. Diploma level 2 hours

What are the weightages and structures of the Aptitude Test?

1. Master’s Degree level – Weightage: 40% Structure


Sections Number of Questions

Numerical Literacy / Mathematics 
Part A: 25 objective questions 
Part B: 1 structured question

English Literacy 
Part A: 12 objective questions 
Part B: 1 structured question

Bahasa Malaysia Literacy 
Part A: 13 objective questions 
Part B: 1 structured question


General Knowledge / Critical Thinking 
Part A: 25 objective questions 
Part B: 2 structured questions


2. Bachelor’s Degree level – Weightage: 40% Structure

Sections Number of Questions
Numerical Literacy / Mathematics 10 objective questions
English Literacy 10 objective questions
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy 10 objective questions
General Knowledge / Critical Thinking 10 objective questions


3. Diploma level – Weightage: 100% Structure

Sections Number of Questions
Numerical Literacy / Mathematics 10 objective questions
English Literacy 10 objective questions
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy 10 objective questions
General Knowledge / Critical Thinking 10 objective questions

What is a Portfolio?

Portfolio is a compilation that documents the prior experiences of an applicant which include formal, informal and non-formal learning. Portfolio must be prepared in English.

What are examples of evidence for APEL.A application & Portfolio?

Below are listed the examples of evidence that can be used to support APEL.A application and Portfolio:


Direct Evidence 
Certificates
Work Samples
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy
Records of Workplace Activities
Documents

Indirect Evidence
Written Records
Part A: 12 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question
Email
Supporting Letters

For further details, please refer to Appendix 4 in the ‘APEL.A Learners’ Handbook’.


What are the resources made available for the Aptitude Test Portfolio?

Specimen questions and Portfolio guidelines are made available on the APEL.A page for applicants to make the necessary preparations for the Aptitude Test and Portfolio.

What is an Interview?

Interview is only applicable for APEL.A assessment at the Master’s Degree level. Applicants are required to present their Portfolio to a panel of assessors and explain their acquired learning in greater detail, which will be conducted in the form of an interview and carries a weightage of 10% of total assessment marks.

What is the passing mark?

The passing marks for each component and overall score is at least 50% of the total marks.

Is appeal for APEL results allowed?

Yes, applicants who have failed the Aptitude Test may appeal for a review or apply for a re-sitting. Applicants who have failed the Portfolio assessment (Bachelor’s Degree levels) may re-submit the Portfolio for another assessment. Applicants who have failed either the Portfolio assessment or interview (only for Master’s Degree) MUST re-do both components regardless of which component the candidate failed.

Will applicants who pass the APEL.A assessment be issued any certificate/document?

An official notification letter to inform the results will be issued to the applicant by MQA or the APEL Assessment Centre. Applicants who have passed the APEL.A assessment will be awarded the APEL certification by MQA, which can be used to apply for admission into any of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia.

What is the use of APEL certification?

APEL certification can only be used by applicants for the purpose of furthering their studies at HEIs. It is not the awarding of qualifications like the academic programme at HEIs. The APEL certificate also cannot be used for employment purposes.For example: APEL Certificate for Master’s level (Level 7) can only be used to apply for admission to HEIs to further their studies at Master’s level. It is not an award for a Master’s programme as issued by the HEI.

Does the APEL certificate have a validity period?

The APEL.A certificate has a 5-year validity period from the date the results are announced. However, for those who have the certificate issued before 1 January 2023, the validity ends on 31 December 2027.

Where can applicants refer to for more information about APEL.A assessment?

Applicants can refer to the ‘APEL.A Learners Handbook’ and the MQA APEL
website (https://www2.mqa.gov.my/apel/).