Degrees in Professional Studies
(Bachelor / Master/ Doctor of Professional Studies)The Ballsbridge University and its International Faculty Ballsbridge Business Centre offer three new programmes of study based on APEL evaluation in order to support working professionals. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) applies the learning gained in professional experience via the submission and assessment of a formal portfolio of evidence for degree credit. It is suitable for mature professionals who wish to recognise their valuable learning in an employment context and beyond. However, APEL is not an “easy way” to earn a degree since significant documentary evidence is required before credit can be awarded.
Since the nineteenth-century, universities around the world have established arrangements for those students who seek a university degree to receive credits that recognise life experiences or achievements that are deemed to be equivalent to particular levels of formal academic study. Not all life experiences qualify for exemption – only those that have demonstrated learning that is the equivalent of college credit.It is possible to get multiple credits by submitting several documents for evaluation into the University’s programme. The most obvious way is through the accreditation of prior – certificated - learning (APL) and accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) which considers previous formal and informal learning supporting documents. AP(E)L’s evaluation can be integrated with other programmes and in the case of highly experienced candidates it may be possible for them to qualify by APEL alone. The Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Professional Studies degrees are designated for awards made primarily or exclusively on the basis of APL and APEL assessment.
An option for our Bachelor students is the “top-up award” to a second Bachelor degree in Sciences or Arts by studying some extra online modules at Ballsbridge University. Students have also the option to continue for a Master degree in Professional Studies or a different Master degree in Sciences or Arts. Students have also the option to get a Doctor of Professional Studies. Please contact our admissions team for more information.The guidelines to reach your goals!Up to the level of a bachelor’s degree:
Converting Experience to Education
Candidate students with a minimum of three years of full-time professional experience (or an equivalent in part-time work or via a combination of education and experience) may be admitted to the APEL procedure under conditions.
Candidates must have a minimum of three years of professional experience in addition to other academic and professional criteria which will be assessed individually. Every three years of professional experience are considered equivalent to one year of education.
To reach the level of a master’s degree:
To reach the Master of Professional Studies the applicant must have the equivalent of four years Bachelor degree (through the formula whereby every three years of professional experience are considered equivalent to one year of education, or a combination of education and experience).
To reach the doctoral level:
To reach the Doctor of Professional Studies the applicant must have the equivalent of Master degree and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that he or she has additional several years of professional experience. A portfolio of work at a doctoral level may also count including significant coursework on level 8, published work, dissertation, books, research articles or creative output that definitively establishes the standing of the candidate.Initial assessment and application procedures:The first stage is to complete an application form and submit all supporting documents in order to examine whether the applicant meets the criteria for acceptance into any of the above programmes. Applications that does not include the right documents or use fake documents will be rejected.
Supporting documents might include the following materials: passport copy, a full resumé (CV); full transcripts and documentation of all previous post-secondary education; references from employers confirming the dates and responsibilities of employment positions held; publications; reports in journals and similar evidence. All documentation must be in English and foreign language documents must be accompanied by a translation. The University requests that materials be compressed in a .zip file before sending, in order to avoid difficulties in transmission of large files.Graduation certification:Successful graduates will receive an official degree of professional degrees from Ballsbridge University, a transcript, and a statement of comparability explaining the equivalent status of their degree including level of the programme and the number of credits earned.
(Bachelor / Master/ Doctor of Professional Studies)The Ballsbridge University and its International Faculty Ballsbridge Business Centre offer three new programmes of study based on APEL evaluation in order to support working professionals. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) applies the learning gained in professional experience via the submission and assessment of a formal portfolio of evidence for degree credit. It is suitable for mature professionals who wish to recognise their valuable learning in an employment context and beyond. However, APEL is not an “easy way” to earn a degree since significant documentary evidence is required before credit can be awarded.
Since the nineteenth-century, universities around the world have established arrangements for those students who seek a university degree to receive credits that recognise life experiences or achievements that are deemed to be equivalent to particular levels of formal academic study. Not all life experiences qualify for exemption – only those that have demonstrated learning that is the equivalent of college credit.It is possible to get multiple credits by submitting several documents for evaluation into the University’s programme. The most obvious way is through the accreditation of prior – certificated - learning (APL) and accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) which considers previous formal and informal learning supporting documents. AP(E)L’s evaluation can be integrated with other programmes and in the case of highly experienced candidates it may be possible for them to qualify by APEL alone. The Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Professional Studies degrees are designated for awards made primarily or exclusively on the basis of APL and APEL assessment.
An option for our Bachelor students is the “top-up award” to a second Bachelor degree in Sciences or Arts by studying some extra online modules at Ballsbridge University. Students have also the option to continue for a Master degree in Professional Studies or a different Master degree in Sciences or Arts. Students have also the option to get a Doctor of Professional Studies. Please contact our admissions team for more information.The guidelines to reach your goals!Up to the level of a bachelor’s degree:
Converting Experience to Education
Candidate students with a minimum of three years of full-time professional experience (or an equivalent in part-time work or via a combination of education and experience) may be admitted to the APEL procedure under conditions.
Candidates must have a minimum of three years of professional experience in addition to other academic and professional criteria which will be assessed individually. Every three years of professional experience are considered equivalent to one year of education.
To reach the level of a master’s degree:
To reach the Master of Professional Studies the applicant must have the equivalent of four years Bachelor degree (through the formula whereby every three years of professional experience are considered equivalent to one year of education, or a combination of education and experience).
To reach the doctoral level:
To reach the Doctor of Professional Studies the applicant must have the equivalent of Master degree and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that he or she has additional several years of professional experience. A portfolio of work at a doctoral level may also count including significant coursework on level 8, published work, dissertation, books, research articles or creative output that definitively establishes the standing of the candidate.Initial assessment and application procedures:The first stage is to complete an application form and submit all supporting documents in order to examine whether the applicant meets the criteria for acceptance into any of the above programmes. Applications that does not include the right documents or use fake documents will be rejected.
Supporting documents might include the following materials: passport copy, a full resumé (CV); full transcripts and documentation of all previous post-secondary education; references from employers confirming the dates and responsibilities of employment positions held; publications; reports in journals and similar evidence. All documentation must be in English and foreign language documents must be accompanied by a translation. The University requests that materials be compressed in a .zip file before sending, in order to avoid difficulties in transmission of large files.Graduation certification:Successful graduates will receive an official degree of professional degrees from Ballsbridge University, a transcript, and a statement of comparability explaining the equivalent status of their degree including level of the programme and the number of credits earned.