1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions have the meaning hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Unit: An entity within the University that delivers Courses for Programs or for entry into Programs.
1.1.2 Admission: The process in which Applicants are evaluated for entry into a University Program.
1.1.3 Applicant: An individual who has submitted and completed an application to be admitted into a Program.
1.1.4 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific Learning Outcomes.
1.1.5 Course Exemption: An official waiver from a Course based on satisfying the Course Requirement granted through Internal/External Transfer Credit or PLAR, or by way of Challenge Examination for Foundation Program only.
1.1.6 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a Student can demonstrate immediately upon completion of a Course.
1.1.7 Credit: A unit of measurement assigned to a Course based on the total amount of learning time that counts toward a Program or credential completion, at a particular level of the Qatar National Qualification Framework.
1.1.8 External Transfer Credit: Transfer of eligible Courses and Credit earned at another institution.
1.1.9 Grade Point Average (GPA): The average, on a four-point scale, of a Student’s total grade scores divided by the number of Credits taken.
1.1.10 Prior Learning: Learning acquired through work experience, a Professional Certification, Credential, or prior education.
1.1.11 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR): A process through which Students can receive Credit for University Courses not taken, by way of having demonstrated abilities similar to the required Course Learning Outcomes of a particular Course.
1.1.12 Program: A prescribed set of Courses leading to a qualification, including a Certificate, Diploma (2 years), Advanced Diploma (3 years), Bachelor, Post Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate.
1.1.13 Semester: A division of an Academic Year where a Student is enrolled in a Course(s) followed by an examination period.
1.1.14 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.
1.1.15 Transcript: An official document of the University summarizing the entire academic records of a Student including essential information pertaining to the Student’s Courses, grades, academic standing and credential attainment.
1.1.16 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
1.2 Where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.
1.3 Where the context requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.
2.0 Policy Purpose
2.1 The purpose of this policy is to define the standards relating to awarding Credit for Prior Learning.
3.0 Policy Scope
3.1 This policy applies to:
3.1.1 Students.
3.1.2 Applicants applying to the University.
3.1.3 Applicants transferring to the University from another recognized institution.
3.1.4 Academic Units.
3.1.5 Admissions and Registration Directorate.
3.1.6 Finance Directorate.
3.2 This Policy applies in conjunction with other applicable University bylaws, policies, and relevant procedures.
4.0 Policy Statements
4.1 General
4.1.1 Applicants/Students with relevant Prior Learning may apply for Course Exemption through PLAR in accordance with PR-ST-27.
4.1.2 Applications are evaluated based on documented evidence and approved at the sole discretion of the University.
4.1.3 A Program may accept PLAR and/or External Transfer Credit up to a maximum of 50% of total Program Credits.
4.1.4 When PLAR is granted, the equivalent University Course is recorded as Course Exemption (EN) with no GPA impact.
4.1.5 Requests for PLAR must be submitted at application or no later than two weeks prior to Semester start.
4.1.6 Documentation submitted for PLAR will be handled in accordance with the Data Privacy and Protection Policy.
4.1.7 The University reserves the right to limit or deny recognition of Prior Learning from non-accredited institutions.
4.2 Graduate Programs
4.2.1 Students in Graduate Programs are not eligible for PLAR consideration.
5.0 Tuition and Fees
5.1 Applicants and Students are responsible for all fees associated with PLAR requests.
6.0 Timelines
6.1 Timelines are outlined in PR-ST-27.
7.0 Procedures
7.1 The Vice-President, Student Affairs will ensure procedures are developed and implemented.
8.0 Related Documents
PR-ST-06 Transfer Policy
PL-ST-07 Admissions Policy
PL-ST-08 Final Grade Policy
PL-ST-09 Registration Policy
PL-ST-17 Graduate Admissions Policy
PL-ST-19 Graduate Final Grade Policy
PL-ST-07 Admissions Policy
PL-ST-08 Final Grade Policy
PL-ST-09 Registration Policy
PL-ST-17 Graduate Admissions Policy
PL-ST-19 Graduate Final Grade Policy