Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Decide what you would like to study, which qualifications you are interested in, and which should align with your work and expertise. RPL takes place against the qualifications offered by CPUT.

2.1 Advanced Standing into Postgraduate Diploma and course-based Master's Degree studies.

If you are interested in postgraduate studies at the Post Graduate Diploma or a course-based Masters' Degree. In this case, you are required to give an overview of your qualifications and career, reflecting on the knowledge you have developed.

2.1.1 Exemption - RPL

You might have gained knowledge in specific areas through informal and non-formal learning. If this knowledge is closely related to a subject or more as part of a Postgraduate Diploma that you want to enrol for, you may want to apply for exemptions-RPL or credits.

In this case, your knowledge is compared to the learning outcomes of a particular subject(s) for recognition. Once the assessment is done, the University might give exemptions for some subjects but not for the entire qualification. CPUT can only grant 50% of the qualification through exemptions.

2.2 Advanced standing into thesis-based Master's degree and Doctoral level studies

If you are interested in completing a thesis-based degree, either at Masters' or Doctoral level, you are required to submit :

• A portfolio of evidence providing an overview of your working and learning life, including your qualifications. A brief indication of what aspect of your field of expertise has sparked your interest, leading you to your topic.
• Semi-proposal indicating the topic you are interested in and how you plan to investigate it.

2.3 Application for re-admission after 10 years.

CPUT knows and understands that you decided to take a break from your studies due to various factors. With your incomplete qualification, you might have been able to work in the field of discipline you studied in. The qualification you did originally has been phased out.

If you studied with CPUT (or its feeder institutions) more than 10 years ago and would like to resume your studies i.e. thesis-based Master's, you must apply for re-admission via the RPL process.

The RPL process allows you and the University to evaluate your knowledge against the current qualification.

• CPUT uses the Exemption – RPL route to determine which subjects in the current qualification you can be granted exemption(s) for and which subjects you will have to complete. RPL can only be for 50% of a qualification.
• CPUT can also use the RPL process to determine if you can be granted advanced standing to the next level of study i.e. incomplete BTech, granting entry to the Post Graduate Diploma. In this case, the Advanced Diploma (replacing the BTech) underpinning the Postgraduate Diploma will never be awarded.

2.4 International students and International Qualifications.

International applicants should have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Unit for Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications, before submitting your RPL application. (Go to www.saqa.org.za.)

Once your qualification has been evaluated, and you do not meet the entry requirements of the programme you are interested in or want credit for what you already know. You must submit your RPL and CPUT application by the end of June. CPUT needs the SAQA evaluation for both processes. In this case, you simultaneously apply as an international student and for RPL. If you are a South African with a foreign qualification, you must follow the instructions for International Students as stipulated on the CPUT website.

Once you have decided on the qualification you want to study, you can start with your RPL application. You follow the instructions in the guidelines provided above to prepare your application. Once you have all the documents prepared, use the hyperlink for PG Diploma or course-based Master's, alternatively thesis-based Master's or Doctoral degree at the bottom of this page to upload your application.

Upon receiving your RPL application, the relevant academic department will determine whether your RPL application is feasible based on the information you have submitted. 

Feasibility depends on the nature of your work, experience, and knowledge developed throughout your life in relation to the qualifications you are applying for. If the department has determined that it is not the case, you will be notified, and the University will suggest alternatives you can consider.

If the department is of the opinion that your RPL application is feasible, you will be invited to participate in the rest of the RPL process. The process is qualification-specific, and the academic department and/ or the RPL unit will inform you. 

It might involve one or more of the following:

• Development of a portfolio of evidence.
• When submitting a portfolio, you might be asked to attend an interview and/-or a presentation to the academic department.
• In the case of thesis-based degrees, you will be allocated a supervisor. In liaison with this person and the academic department, you will develop your research proposal in greater detail before submission to the University.

During the RPL process, except for international students, you will be asked to complete an application to CPUT, via the CPUT website.

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT A NORMAL APPLICATION VIA THE CPUT WEBSITE.

You must wait for the RPL option to be available in September 2026.

You will be notified by the RPL Unit when to apply using Wizard and SOS on the CPUT website.

You are required to pay the RPL fee:

R1000 for access into a qualification

R350 for advanced standing per subject in a Postgraduate Diploma

The RPL fee is payable once the RPL process starts, not at the application stage. The RPL Unit will inform you of the amount you are required to pay once the RPL process starts in May.

RPL is a complex and lengthy process, and the timelines within the process are as follows:

The decision to grant a person RPL is an academic decision made by the University. The decision is primarily made by the academic department and confirmed (or not) by the Senate of the University. If the University approves your application, you will receive an email from CPUT informing you of your RPL outcome.

If your RPL is not approved, you will receive a letter from the University informing you. Either the academic department or the RPL Unit will give you reasons and make suggestions regarding your future education.

As an RPL applicant, you have a right to appeal if unsatisfied at any stage of the RPL process. You are required to contact the RPL Unit if you want to appeal – send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In the email, please explain the grounds and reasoning of your appeal.

Using the guidelines provided, prepare your documentation, including certification of certificates. Once completed, use the relevant URL below to upload your RPL application.