Course Information
It is your responsibility to apply for Recognition of Other Learning (ROL). All requests must be submitted on the relevant form with supporting evidence (where required).
Applications for ROL should be made at the time of application for admission to the university and at least four weeks before the start of the course. Applications for ROL are processed free of charge. Late applications will not be considered.
The information below shows prior learning automatically considered for ROL on specific courses in the School of Education. Where the credits are considered against specific modules this is stated. You can find out more information about individual modules and the content by visiting our Curriculum Catalogue.
We are unable to approve ROL for face-to-face courses where a student route visa is required to study in the UK. This is because we can
only sponsor full-time students for a student route visa, and applying ROL for credits previously achieved reduces the study load to below full-time. International students are encouraged to consider our distance learning options if they wish to apply for ROL. Please note that
this also applies to PGCEi alumni who can use their PGCEi credits to subsequent MA study.
PGCE/PGCEi credits from any institution will be considered for credit exemption towards a masters. University of Nottingham graduates still need to apply for ROL as credits cannot be transferred without this application.
Please note that we cannot add your ROL exemption to your student record until you have completed registration. This means your fees will show the full amount at the time of registration. When we have added your exemption, your record will show the reduced fees to be paid.
Course specific information
Please use the links below to navigate to the course you are interested in:
MA Digital Teaching and Learning
Maximum credit exemption: 30 credits
PCGE/PGCEi graduates with marks of 50 or above can apply for exemption from up to 30-credits of the Learning Theories for a Digital Age module. If you studied your PGCE/PGCEi with the University of Nottingham, you still need to apply for exemption.
Applicants with evidence of relevant prior learning in the learning sciences or related topics can apply for exemption from up to 30-credits of the Learning Theories for a Digital Age module.
MA Education
Maximum credit exemption: 60 credits
Compulsory module: Understanding Planning and Research
PGCE/PGCEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply for exemption from up to 60 credits. If you studied your PGCE/PGCEi with the University of Nottingham, you still need to apply for exemption.
PGCEi graduates can claim against two of the following modules:
- Learning Theories for a Digital Age
- Critical Perspectives on Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Social Contexts of Learning
- Communication and Literacy
- Practice-Based Inquiry
PGCE graduates can claim against two of the following modules:
- Learning Theories for a Digital Age
- Critical Perspectives on Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Social Contexts of Learning
- Practice-Based Inquiry
If you are applying for exemption with other qualifications, please research the modules on the
course page and indicate which optional module/s you would like exemption from based on the content of your previous study.
MA Education (Online)
Maximum credit exemption: 60 credits
PGCE/PGCEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply for exemption from up to 60 credits. If you studied your PGCE/PGCEi with the University of Nottingham, you still need to apply for exemption.
PGCEi graduates can claim against two of the following modules:
- Learning Theories for a Digital Age
- Critical Perspectives on Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Social Contexts of Learning
- Communication and Literacy
PGCE graduates can claim against two of the following modules:
- Learning Theories for a Digital Age
- Critical Perspectives on Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Social Contexts of Learning
If you are applying for exemption with other qualifications, please research the modules on the
course page and indicate which optional module/s you would like exemption from based on the content of your previous study
MA Educational Leadership and Management
Maximum credit exemption: 60 credits
We consider exemption from up to 30 credits for successful completion of other (inter)national recognised leadership development programmes, including:
- National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
- National Qualification for Middle Leaders (NPQML)
- SSAT National Award for Middle Leaders (NAML)
- ILA International Middle Leadership Programme (IMLP)
Applicants holding the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) can apply for exemption from up to 60 credits.
Applicants who have successfully completed the Ambitious Futures leadership development programme and hold the ‘Preparing for University Leadership’ certificate can apply for exemption from the 30 credit Issues in Educational Leadership module.
PGCE/PGCEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply for exemption of 30 credits against the Leading Learning module. If you studied your PGCE/PGCEi with the University of Nottingham, you still need to apply for exemption.
For other exemptions, the credits are assigned to modules that best match the content covered, as negotiated with the course team.
MA Educational Leadership and Management (Online)
Maximum credit exemption: 60 credits
We consider exemption from up to 30 credits for successful completion of other (inter)national recognised leadership development programmes, including:
- National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
- National Qualification for Middle Leaders (NPQML)
- SSAT National Award for Middle Leaders (NAML)
- ILA International Middle Leadership Programme (IMLP)
Applicants holding the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) can apply for exemption from up to 60 credits.
Applicants who have successfully completed the Ambitious Futures leadership development programme and hold the ‘Preparing for University Leadership’ certificate can apply for exemption from the 30 credit Issues in Educational Leadership module.
PGCE/PGCEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply for exemption of 30 credits against the Leading Learning module. If you studied your PGCE/PGCEi with the University of Nottingham, you still need to apply for exemption.
For other exemptions, the credits are assigned to modules that best match the content covered, as negotiated with the course team.
MA Person Centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy
Maximum credit exemption: 30 credits
Applicants with an undergraduate degree or equivalent in counselling or psychology, plus two years of counselling training and professional experience, can apply for exemption from up to 30 credits.
You will be expected to attend the whole course even though you will have exemption from fees and assessment requirements for one 30-credit module.
MA Special and Inclusive Education
Maximum credit exemption: 30 credits
National Award for Special Educational Needs
Co-ordination graduates can apply for exemption from the 30-credit Debating Special and Inclusive Education module.
Post 2006/7 PGCE/PCGEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply to transfer 30 credits to the Understanding and Planning Educational Research module.
Students on the face-to-face course will be expected to attend the whole course, even though you will have exemption from fees and assessment requirements for one 30-credit module.
MA Special and Inclusive Education (Online)
Maximum credit exemption: 30 credits
National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination graduates can apply for exemption from the 30-credit Debating Special and Inclusive Education module.
Post 2006/7 PGCE/PCGEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply to transfer 30 credits to the Practice-Based Inquiry module.
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Maximum credit exemption: 30 credits
Cambridge ESOL DELTA and Trinity DipTESOL graduates can apply for exemption from the 30-credit Language Teaching: Methodology and Curriculum module.
PGCEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply for exemption from up to 30 credits from an optional module (there is no exemption on core modules).
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Online)
Maximum credit exemption: 30 credits
Cambridge ESOL DELTA and Trinity DipTESOL graduates can apply for exemption from the 30-credit Language Teaching: Methodology and Curriculum module
PGCEi graduates with marks of 50 or above, can apply for exemption from up to 30 credits from an optional module (there is no exemption on core modules).
MA Trauma Informed Practice
Maximum credit exemption: 60 credits
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can apply for exemption from up to 60 credits. Exemption will be given against Trauma and the Community: Perspective on Group, Community and the Organisational Contexts to Trauma