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.

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

Master’s Degree Programme
Bachelor’s Degree Programme

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.

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.


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

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.

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

1. Master’s Degree level Aptitude Test (40%) > Portfolio (40%) > Interview (20%)
2. Bachelor’s Degree level Aptitude Test (30%) > Portfolio (70%)

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.

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

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

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.

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’.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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