Validation

What is validation?

Validation is a process that involves a structured assessment, evaluation, and documentation, as well as a recognition of knowledge and skills an individual possesses regardless of how they were acquired. (Source: The Validation Delegation's final report: SOU 2019: 69 Validation – for competence supply and lifelong learning).

Validation mainly consists of two parts, mapping and assessment that ends with recognition in a decision.

The purposes of validation in higher education include:

• Meeting the entry requirements for education. Assessment is based on qualifications other than formal grades.
• Credit transfer for a whole or part of a course. An assessment against the learning outcomes in the course syllabus determines if you fulfil the requirements. Credit transfer can shorten your study time by recognising what you already know. Note that there may be gaps in the programme syllabus if you receive credit for a course.

What is prior learning?

Prior learning includes the actual knowledge and skills an individual possesses, regardless of when, how, or where the skills were developed.

It serves as a separate basis for eligibility for education within the University, supplementing formal eligibility based on grades. The assessment of prior learning in these contexts refers to the applicant's ability to assimilate the education.

An individual can apply for an assessment of prior learning based on experiences such as:

• Work experience – employment or self-employment.
• Education – formal education like upper secondary school or adult education, as well as education outside the traditional system, including internal and staff training, study circles, etc.
• Non-profit work – involvement in associations, political engagement, etc.
• Other experiences – parenting, family life, caregiving, military service, etc.

Do I need to validate my prior learning?

If you are prevented from applying for studies or work because you do not have formal qualifications, validation of prior learning can help you move forward. You may not have the qualifications required for education or employment. Investigate the possibilities for validation with the education provider that offers the education you are interested in. To apply for validation before credit transfer, you must be a student or have been a student at the relevant higher education institution. Student refers to those who are admitted to and conduct university studies.

What will be the result of validation?

The result of an assessment in a validation process is a decision on approval, partial approval, or denial. The decision is registered as a credit transfer (TG) in Ladok (a national study administration IT system) if approved or partially approved. Ladok states what the credit is based on and what it corresponds to in the current content and extent. The credit can then be included in a degree.

Do I get grades after a validation?

No, the result will be a credit transfer (TG) and not a specific grade. TG means that there is a recognition regarding the corresponding knowledge and skills as the learning outcomes. Each course has grading criteria linked to the learning outcomes. The knowledge assessed in a validation does not have predetermined goals that can link to grading criteria in the same way.

What happens to my Swedish student finance if I am allowed to transfer higher education credits?

If you have studied with student loans from CSN, transferring credits for all or part of a course may affect your Swedish student finance.

Contact The Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN) should you hace any questions regarding your Swedish student finance and credit transfers.

More information on www.csn.se External link.

How do I apply for validation for entry requirements and credit transfer?

Credit Transfer

You apply for credit transfer in Ladok for students. Follow the instructions there and attach your self-reflection in which you explain which course objectives you want to transfer credits for and describe your knowledge from prior learning related to those course objectives. Please clarify with examples of situations where you have used knowledge relevant to the course. Remember that it is important to also include the theoretical perspectives within the scope of the course content. The assessment is based on the level, scope and objectives of the course.

Self-reflection

Read more about how to do a self-reflection in the box titled “How to write a self-reflection when applying for credit transfer based on prior learning?" on this webpage. For more information and support with the application, contact the coordinator or prior learning for credit transfer at Halmstad University, email: helpdesk.validering@hh.se

How do I write a self-reflection when applying for credit transfer based on prior learning?

What is a self-reflection?

Self-reflection means that you reflect on, and self-assess, your knowledge to connect it to the course goals and content for the assessment. Imagine that those who will assess your knowledge do not know anything about your skills or what you have done before. Write approximately half an A4 page for each course objective when doing your self-reflection. Refer to relevant attachments for each course objective.

The course objectives can be found in the course syllabus under the headings Knowledge and Understanding, Skills and Abilities and Judgment and Approach. Course syllabi can be found on the course syllabus web page.

Course syllabus

Instructions

Write your self-reflection in a separate document that you attach to your application in your case in Ladok. Before uploading it to Ladok, you need to save it as a PDF. Explain and describe your knowledge, skills and judgment ability gained from professional work and/or studies for each specific course objective. Please use examples of situations where you have used these. Remember that it is important to also include the relevant theoretical perspectives within the scope of the course content. The assessment is based on the level, scope and objectives of the course.

Course Objective 1:

Self-reflection:

Course Objective 2:

Self-reflection:

Etc.

Documents to be attached to the application for the assessment of previous studies

• The course syllabus from Halmstad University that the application concerns.
• Course syllabus (including literature list) from the completed course, translated into Swedish/English.
• Transcript of records (certified copies).

In cases where documents are missing, a written description of the course and an account of the literature list should be attached instead. (Education provider, name of the course, when the course was taken, scope, subject/field, practical elements, etc.)

Documents to be attached to the application for the assessment of work experience

• The course syllabus from Halmstad University that the application concerns.
• Documents of previous work experience (service certificate, job description from employer) translated into Swedish/English.

Original documents must be presented upon request by Halmstad University.

When can I apply for validation?

Entry requirements:

The Admissions Service must receive the documents no later than the last date to apply for higher education; see further information at antagning.se

Credit transfer:

Any time during the year. Applications for validation of prior learning to credit transfer usually are processed and decided within two months after the complete application is received.

What does the validation process look like at Halmstad University?

Entry requirements:

First, the University maps and reviews your application, and if something is missing, we will contact you for additions. The assessment is made by the education officer in collaboration with those responsible for education. When the equivalence assessment is complete, you will be notified of the result, if you are eligible for the specific course you have applied for or not.

Credit transfer:

First, the University maps and reviews your application, and if something is missing, we will contact you for complementary additions. The assessment is done by the course coordinator or the person who has subject knowledge in the course you are applying for to credit. You are assessed based on learning outcomes to see if you have the equivalent knowledge. We weigh level, scope, quality and focus on your knowledge and skills. The assessor chooses a suitable assessment method. When the assessment is complete, you will receive a decision. The result can be approval, partial approval, or rejection.

How is the assessment done?

Entry requirements:

An education administrator assesses your prior learning based on eligibility requirements and your opportunities to assimilate you – manage to study the education you have applied for. If necessary, the case will be sent to those responsible for the training for help with assessment.

Credit transfer:

A subject-skilled assessor reviews the application based on the learning outcomes and dimensions, scope, quality, and focus. Sometimes the assessment is supplemented with an assessment method, oral, written, or practical assignments to ensure that you have the knowledge and skills that correspond to the course's main content and learning outcomes.

How long does it take until I am notified?

Entry requirements:

The processing time is between one and three months, but notice always comes before the first selection.

Credit transfer:

Applications for validation of prior learning aiming to credit transfer are usually processed and decided within two months of the complete application will be received.