APEL.A: Your Experience is Your Entry Ticket
A Bridge to a Degree Programme
Your life and work experience are your greatest assets.
APEL.A (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access) lets you enter degree programmes based on what you’ve learned through work and life, not just what’s on paper.
If you’ve built real skills on the job but missed out on formal education, APEL.A gives you another way in.
Ready to take the next step with APEL.A?
Your journey to academic success starts here, because we recognise the value of your real-world working knowledge and experience.
What is APEL.A?
APEL.A stands for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access. It’s an MQA-governed assessment that evaluates your prior learning from work, training, self-study or life experience to determine if you’re ready for higher education.
Pass the assessment and you’ll receive an APEL.A certificate. This qualifies you for admission to diploma, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programmes at any accredited university in Malaysia, including WOU’s fully online degree programmes.
APEL.A Application Timeframe
⏱ Plan ahead: The APEL.A assessment process takes up to 4 months from when you submit your complete application and supporting documents.
This includes the aptitude test, portfolio assessment and interview (where applicable). Make sure to apply well in advance of your intended programme start date.
Enquiry
Talk to WOU's APEL advisors to check your eligibility and understand what's involved.
Register with MQA
Create your account on the official MQA APEL.A portal at www2.mqa.gov.my/apel_a and select WOU as your APEL Centre of choice.
Submit Your Details to WOU
Once registered with MQA, submit your details here. We'll invite you to a detailed briefing to prepare you for the Aptitude Test and Portfolio submission, including specimen questions to get you exam-ready.
Aptitude Test
Sit for the MQA aptitude test at WOU's assessment centre.
Portfolio Review
Assessors evaluate your documented prior learning against programme outcomes.
Interview (postgraduate applicants only)
For master's-level applicants, assessors conduct an interview to evaluate readiness.
Certification
MQA issues your APEL.A certificate upon successful completion.
Enrol at WOU
Use your certificate to enrol in your chosen WOU programme and start your degree.
APEL.A Entry Requirements
Doctorate (T8)
- At least 35 years of age in the year of application;
- Possess at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications (or those with higher qualifications, e.g., Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma).
- Possess at least 5 years of relevant work experience after completion of the Bachelor’s degree programme.
- Pass the APEL.A assessment for Doctorate level.
Masters (T7)
- At least 30 years of age in the year of application.
- Possess at least an STPM/ Diploma/ equivalent qualification
- Or those with higher qualifications, e.g., Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
- Possess relevant work experience.
- Pass the APEL.A assessment for Master’s level.
Bachelor (T6)
- At least 21 years of age in the year of application.
- Possess relevant work experience.
- Pass the APEL.A assessment for Bachelor’s degree level.
Diploma (T4)
- At least 20 years of age in the year of application.
- Possess relevant work experience.
- Pass the APEL.A assessment for Diploma level.
APEL.A Application Process
To undergo APEL.A assessment at WOU, you must officially register with MQA on their website.
Register with MQA
Once you’ve registered with MQA, complete your application process on WOU’s website by submitting your details here.
Select WOU as APEL Centre of Choice
We’ll also invite you to a detailed briefing to prep you for the Aptitude Test and Portfolio submission, along with specimen questions to get you exam ready.
We Help Prepare You for Your Assessment
Assessment Component
| Diploma (T4) | Bachelors (T6) | Masters (T7) |
Doctorate (T8) | ||
| Coursework/ Mixed Mode | Fully Research Based | Coursework/ Mixed Mode/ Full Research | |||
| APTITUDE TEST: Bahasa Malaysia English Language Numeral Literacy General Knowledge Critical Thinking Digital Literacy |
100% weightage (Tested at PMR/Grade/Year 9 competency level) |
30% weightage (Tested at SPM/Grade/Year 11 competency level) |
40% weightage (Tested at 1st year of the Bachelor’s degree) |
Not required | Not required |
| WORKING PORTFOLIO: Evidence of work experience/ prior experiential learning compromising formal, informal and non-formal learning components |
Not required | 70% weightage | 40% weightage | 50% weightage | 50% weightage |
| RESEARCH INTENT & PRESENTATION | Not required | Not required | Not required | 30% weightage | 30% weightage |
| INTERVIEW |
Not required | Not required | 20% weightage | 20% weightage | 20% weightage |
Find the Right Programme for You
Business & Administration
Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Technology & Engineering Science
Digital Technology
Frequently
Asked
Questions
What is APEL?
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is a systematic process that involves the identification, documentation and assessment of prior experiential learning i.e. knowledge, skills and attitudes, to determine the extent to which an individual has achieved the desired learning outcomes, for admission/access to a programme of study and/or award of credits. Learners can base their applications on any combinations of formal, non-formal and informal learning.
Which levels of study are offered for APEL.A application and assessment in WOU?
The following three levels of study are offered for APEL.A application and assessment in WOU:
- Doctoral Degree Programme
- Master’s Degree Programme
- Bachelor’s Degree Programme
- Diploma Programme
What are the APEL.A application criteria?
The APEL.A application criteria are listed below:
1. Programme at Doctoral Degree level
The applicant shall be 35 years of age in the year of application with at least Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications (or those with higher qualifications, e.g., Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma) and must possess at least 5 years of relevant work experience after completion of the Bachelor’s degree programme.
2. Programme at Master’s Degree level
The applicant shall be 30 years of age in the year of application with at least STPM/Diploma/equivalent qualifications and must possess relevant work experience.
3. Programme at Bachelor’s Degree level
The applicant shall be 21 years of age in the year of application and must possess relevant work experience.
4. Programme at Diploma level
The applicant shall be 20 years of age in the year of application and must possess relevant work experience.
How long would the APEL.A assessment take to complete?
1. Doctoral Degree level
Minimum period of six months from the date of submission of complete application.
2. Master’s Degree level
Minimum period of three months from the date of submission of complete application.
3. Bachelor’s Degree level
Minimum period of two months from the date of submission of complete application.
4. Diploma level
Minimum period of two months from the date of submission of complete application.
The minimum periods stated above are only an estimate for the evaluation process, without there being repetition of any assessment components due to failure. RepetitiPortfo evaluation period. The evaluation period therefore depends on the individual applicants.
How to submit APEL.A application to WOU?
For candidates who wish to undergo the APEL.A assessment at WOU, you must first register with MQA via this link (https://www2.mqa.gov.my/apel_a/) and make a payment of RM60.00 directly to MQA as the APEL.A processing fee. Once payment is made, you will receive an email from [email protected]. In the email, look for the link to WOU and follow it to proceed with your application. The registration form and the payment receipt must then be submitted to WOU for verification and validation.
How much are the fees for APEL.A assessment?
The fees for APEL.A assessment are listed below:
Malaysian Candidate
| LEVELS | MQA APEL.A Processing Fee (RM) | WOU’s Fee (RM) |
| 1. Doctoral Degree level | 60.00 | 690.00 |
| 2. Master’s Degree level | 60.00 | 500.00 |
| 3. Bachelor’s Degree level | 60.00 | 310.00 |
| 4. Diploma level | 60.00 | 180.00 |
Non-Malaysian Candidate
| LEVELS | MQA APEL.A Processing Fee (USD) | WOU’s Fee (USD) |
| 1. Doctoral Degree level | 60.00 | 690.00 |
| 2. Master’s Degree level | 60.00 | 500.00 |
| 3. Bachelor’s Degree level | 60.00 | 310.00 |
| 4. Diploma level | 60.00 | 180.00 |
What are the components in the APEL.A assessment and their weightages?
1. Doctoral Degree level Portfolio (50%) > Research Intent + Presentation (30%) > Interview (20%)
2. Master’s Degree level Aptitude Test (40%) > Portfolio (40%) > Interview (20%)
3. Bachelor’s Degree level Aptitude Test (30%) > Portfolio (70%)
4. Diploma level Aptitude Test (100%) > Portfolio (Must fulfil the set criteria.)
What is an Aptitude Test?
Aptitude Test is to assess the knowledge and competencies of an applicant in the aspects of numerical literacy, languages and general knowledge / critical thinking.
What is the duration for the Aptitude Test?
| LEVELS | DURATION |
| 1. Master’s Degree level | 2 hours & 30 minutes |
| 2. Bachelor’s Degree level | 2 hours |
| 3. Diploma level | 2 hours |
What are the weightages and structures of the Aptitude Test?
| Sections | Number of Questions |
| Numerical Literacy / Mathematics | Part A: 25 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question |
| English Literacy | Part A: 12 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question |
| Bahasa Malaysia Literacy | Part A: 13 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question |
| General Knowledge / Critical Thinking | Part A: 25 objective questions Part B: 2 structured questions |
2. Bachelor’s Degree level – Weightage: 40% Structure
| Sections | Number of Questions |
| Numerical Literacy / Mathematics | 10 objective questions |
| English Literacy | 10 objective questions |
| Bahasa Malaysia Literacy | 10 objective questions |
| General Knowledge / Critical Thinking | 10 objective questions |
3. Diploma level – Weightage: 100% Structure
| Sections | Number of Questions |
| Numerical Literacy / Mathematics | 10 objective questions |
| English Literacy | 10 objective questions |
| Bahasa Malaysia Literacy | 10 objective questions |
| General Knowledge / Critical Thinking | 10 objective questions |
What is a Portfolio?
What are examples of evidence for APEL.A application & Portfolio?
| Direct Evidence | Indirect Evidence |
| Certificates | Written Records |
| Work Samples | Part A: 12 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question |
| Bahasa Malaysia Literacy | |
| Records of Workplace Activities | Supporting Letters |
| Documents | |
For further details, please refer to Appendix 4 in the ‘APEL.A Learners’ Handbook’.
What are the resources made available for the Aptitude Test and Portfolio?
Specimen questions and Portfolio guidelines are made available on the APEL.A page for applicants to make the necessary preparations for the Aptitude Test and Portfolio.
What is an Interview under APEL.A?
Interview is only applicable for APEL.A assessment at the postgraduate level. Applicants are required to present their Portfolio to a panel of assessors and explain their acquired learning in greater detail, which will be conducted in the form of an interview and carries a weightage of 20% of total assessment marks.
What is the passing mark?
Is appeal for APEL results allowed?
Will applicants who pass the APEL.A assessment be issued any certificate/document?
What is the use of APEL certification?
Does the APEL certificate have a validity period?
Where can applicants refer to for more information about APEL.A assessment?
Applicants can refer to the ‘APEL.A Learners Handbook’ and the MQA APEL
website (https://www2.mqa.gov.my/apel/).