The New 2025 MFHEA RPL Guidelines: What They Mean for Providers and Why It’s a Smart Move

The updated 2025 MFHEA RPL Guidelines are reshaping how education providers in Malta recognise real-world learning — turning experience into opportunity for both students and institutions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a structured process that allows individuals to gain formal recognition for knowledge, skills, and competencies they’ve acquired outside traditional classrooms — through work experience, informal training, volunteering, or personal development.

With RPL, learners can:

• Gain access to a course, even if they don’t hold the standard entry qualifications,

• Skip modules they already have experience in, and

• Earn academic credit by submitting a portfolio or passing an assessment — reducing the time and cost needed to complete a qualification.

  
  

Why RPL Matters for Learners and Providers

For learners, RPL is empowering. It helps them:

• Turn lived experience into recognised credentials,

• Save time and money,

• Progress more quickly through formal education.

For education and training providers, RPL is a strategic growth tool. It enables institutions to:

• Attract adult learners, professionals, and career-changers,

• Increase enrolments without increasing teaching hours,

• Build a more inclusive and flexible learning environment.

What’s New in the 2025 MFHEA Guidelines?

The June 2025 update to MFHEA’s RPL guidelines replaces the 2021 version and introduces a much clearer, more structured framework for providers. Key improvements include:

• A formal list of 14 mandatory guidelines, covering every stage of the RPL process — from application to assessment and review.

• Broader acceptance of digital evidence such as micro-credentials, online certifications, and e-portfolios.

• A new approval process: providers must now be formally recognised by MFHEA to offer RPL.

• Ongoing support from MFHEA through training, check-ins, and a dedicated RPL Provider Network.

  
  

Already Offering RPL? Here’s What to Do

If your institution already offers RPL under the old 2021 framework, you’ll need to update your policies and internal procedures to match the 2025 requirements. That includes:

• Revising your RPL policy to address all 14 guidelines,

• Ensuring staff are trained in assessing both traditional and digital evidence,

• Aligning your internal QA processes to support consistent, fair decision-making.

• While MFHEA has not published a transition deadline, ongoing compliance with the new framework is now expected for all active providers.

Want to Start Offering RPL?

If you're a licensed provider looking to introduce RPL, here’s how to get started:

• Develop a formal RPL policy and procedures aligned with the 2025 guidelines.

• Train your academic and administrative team on supporting and assessing RPL claims.

• Submit the MFHEA RPL Provider Application Form for official recognition.

• Once approved, you may publicly advertise yourself as an MFHEA-recognised RPL provider.

  
  

This positions your institution as forward-thinking, flexible, and ready to support lifelong learning.

Why RPL is a Smart Business Move

RPL doesn’t just benefit learners — it creates opportunities for sustainable institutional growth. By recognising prior learning:

• You expand your audience to include experienced individuals who would otherwise be excluded,

• You offer more flexible enrolment options that convert interest into admissions,

• And you increase revenue by enrolling more learners without increasing course delivery.

It’s a practical way to serve a broader market — and grow your business at the same time.

Need Help Navigating the New Requirements?

Whether you’re building your first RPL policy or updating an existing one, this is a technical and quality-sensitive task.

At The Training Consultants, we specialise in helping education providers:

• Develop MFHEA-compliant RPL policies,

• Prepare strong applications for provider approval,

• Train staff on RPL procedures and evidence review, and unlock the full potential of RPL as a tool for recruitment and revenue.

  
  

📩 Contact us today to take your RPL offering from concept to compliance — and from policy to impact.