Recognition and accreditation of prior learning in higher education: engineering in Ireland: a case study

This chapter aims to outline the policies and procedures in place in vocationallyrelated higher education programmes in Ireland in relation to the accreditationand recognition of prior and/or experiential learning both formal and informal.The umbrella of electronic engineering was used as this may provide a contextualsetting, which may be transferred across the CREDIVOC partner countries.The chapter begins with an outline of the educational systems Ireland with afocus on the provision of vocational education and training in the country. Thechapter goes on to examine a range of contextual issues such as the developmentof the national Framework of Qualifications as well as the recent changesin the economic landscape.