Register for the RPL Digital Badge: Starting March 2026
The Recognition of Prior Learning Digital Badge
Register by Friday 20th March 2026.
We are delighted to announce the return of the RPL Digital Badge, a free course designed specifically for staff working in tertiary education. Offered by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, this fully online course provides a flexible and comprehensive introduction to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
With over 400 badges already issued over the past six iterations, this course has proven to be an invaluable resource for educators looking to deepen their understanding of RPL and its application within higher education. Whether you're new to RPL or looking to refine your approach, this course offers the tools and knowledge needed to enhance your practice and benefit your institution.
The RPL Digital Badge is designed to support a wide range of colleagues across higher and further education, with past participants spanning academic staff and teams in recruitment and admissions, lifelong learning, quality assurance, teaching and learning, administration, and many other roles involved in enabling effective RPL practice. It also creates a valuable space to connect with peers from across the wider tertiary sector, helping to build shared understanding and confidence in RPL processes.
The badge is delivered through six webinars, each featuring guest speakers who bring practical insight and specialist expertise, and all sessions are recorded to ensure flexibility for participants balancing varied workloads and schedules. Participant feedback has been consistently strong, with 96% of survey respondents reporting they were satisfied or very satisfied with the RPL Digital Badge.
- Commencing Wednesday 25th March 2026
- Running over 8 weeks
- Live Webinars every Wednesday from 9:30am – 11:00am
- Webinar Duration: 90 Mins
Please note webinars are recorded.
There are 25 learner effort hours required for the successful completion of this badge which can be broken down as follows:
- Live Webinars every Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:00am (9 hours)
- Peer Triad Participation for one hour per week (6 hours)
- Self-directed learning through the engagement with the course materials, completion of associated activities and the production of a Journal of Reflection (10 hours)
*An additional five learner hours are required for the facilitator add-on (optional), in addition to attendance at two extra webinars over 2 weeks.
Registration Closes on Friday 20th March.
This course deepened my understanding of Recognition of Prior Learning as both a quality-assured process and a philosophical stance on what counts as legitimate learning, while also clarifying how national and institutional RPL policies align..
Key Outcomes to Date
Since its inception, the RPL Digital Badge has established itself as a growing community of practice, helping to advance professional development and sectoral engagement with Recognition of Prior Learning across Ireland’s tertiary education sector.
The badge equips individuals with the knowledge and confidence to apply RPL in their own contexts and helps to support inclusive, learner-centred education. Here are some of the key outcomes of the badge deliveries thus far:
- 900 staff registered for the RPL Digital Badge, with 400 badges issued
- 59 facilitator badges issued, empowering participants to deliver the badge and support RPL development within their own institutions
- 66% of badge earners are based in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); of these, more than half hold academic roles
- 96% satisfaction rate reported among surveyed participants
- Strong cross-sector engagement, with high levels of collaboration and participation from both academic and professional services staff
These outcomes reflect a growing sector-wide recognition of RPL as a critical element in creating flexible, accessible pathways for learners.
The RPL Digital Badge was originally developed by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, in partnership with:
- Dr Deirdre Goggin, Munster Technological University (MTU)
- Dr Cathal de Paor, Mary Immaculate College (MIC)
- With updates and ongoing delivery facilitated by Dr Clare Walsh and Dr Ciara Staunton, RPL in Higher Education Project, a Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 3 initiative.
