Meet Lesley, 43, a dedicated worker, student and mum of two young boys.
With a background in business and management, she had already completed an HNC in Business with Marketing (SCQF level 7) and a Diploma in Management (SCQF level 8) at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Perth.
After working as a Business and Management Officer in a secondary school, she decided it was time to take the next step: enrolling in a part-time Business Management degree at UHI Perth.
But for a working parent balancing family life, studying full-time just wasn’t an option.
With family and work commitments, I needed a route back into education that wouldn’t mean starting all over again. – Lesley
RPL: Turning past learning into progress
This is where Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) transformed Lesley’s journey. By recognising her previous qualifications and professional experience, RPL allowed her to skip straight to the third year of her degree.
I returned to studying with the aim of obtaining my degree. After this long break from formal education, I brushed up my Diploma to a level where I could be accepted into the degree course. This really demonstrates the SCQF’s flexibility in allowing learners with all sorts of life experiences to build upon existing qualifications.
Not only did RPL save her valuable time, it also gave her the confidence to return to learning after a long break.
Support and flexibility at UHI Perth
The support from UHI has been just as important as the recognition of her past learning. Clear RPL policies, flexible pathways, and part-time study options mean Lesley can balance her studies with her busy home life.
UHI has a clear Recognition of Prior Learning policy and offers flexible study routes that take account of relevant previous qualifications and workplace experience, which is ideal, especially for older learners like me with family and work commitments.
Online resources and recorded lectures allow her to study when it suits her best.
The flexible study options and recognition of what I already knew made all the difference. I could study in the evenings or on days off, without falling behind.
Why RPL works for busy learners
For Lesley, RPL isn’t just about skipping content it’s about creating a learning pathway that suits her. It has:
- Saved her time and money
- Helped her avoid repeating content
- Kept her motivated
- Recognised her work and life experience
Institutions like UHI with transparent credit transfer and RPL policies allow for recognition of previous learning from formal study, work experience, and life skills. When institutions value what learners bring to their studies, it creates a genuinely flexible system that adapts to diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
Making it work in real life
Balancing study with family life is no small challenge. Lesley has built a study routine that fits around her children and work schedule. She watches recorded lectures once the kids are asleep, reads course materials on her days off, and works on assignments in the evenings.
I study by watching the lecture recordings in my own time, either on my days off or when the kids are sleeping. When assignments are due, I cram in studying almost every night! But I’ve managed to submit assignments on time and have received good results so far.
Her determination, combined with support from her partner, extended family and employer, has helped her stay on track and achieve success.
Looking ahead
Lesley is on track to complete her Business Management degree in 2026 and hopes to progress onto an Honours programme.
This proves that with determination and a good support network, mature learners can succeed even under challenging circumstances.
All learning counts
Lesley’s story shows how the SCQF and RPL help learners fast-track their education without wasting time or repeating learning. For busy parents, mature learners, or anyone returning to education, her journey proves that all learning counts.
Useful links
Visit our RPL Hub