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APEL.M

Stack Your Micro-Credentials to Earn a Degree

APEL M enables students to accumulate micro-credential credits relevant to their degree and achieve formal qualifications, even without traditional academic entry requirements

Start Your Degree Without Formal Qualifications – Finish Only the Remaining Credits

With APEL M, you can enter a degree program without formal qualifications by completing at least 50% of your credits through micro-credentials. Once admitted, simply finish the remaining credits to graduate, making your path to a degree flexible and achievable.

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The APEL M Advantage

  • Access Without Traditional Entry Requirements
    Start your degree programme without formal academic qualifications.
  • Customized and Flexible Learning Path
    Focus only on the remaining credits needed, and complete at your own pace.
  • Time and Cost Savings
    Reduces the number of courses you need to complete, saving both time and tuition costs

APEL.M Policy

Entry Requirement

  1. Open to local and international learners
  2. Learners must complete at least 50% of the program’s graduating credits* through unbundled micro-credentials.
  3. Meet the minimum age of graduation.

Note: * Not inclusive of MPU subjects

APEL.M Application Process

5

Register your APEL M application on the MQA website, then proceed to the WOU APEL portal to complete your information.

Register ​with MQA​

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A WOU advisor will guide you through eligibility requirements and help with portfolio preparation

Prepare your Portfolio with the advisory from WOU.

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Your portfolio will be thoroughly assessed and moderated, and MQA will issue your APEL M certificate upon approval.

MQA Certification

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Assessment Component

Aptitude Test
Working portfolio

  • Learners applying through APEL M need only submit a complete portfolio to assess their readiness for tertiary study.

  •  In this portfolio, they must clearly list the number of micro-credentials completed, the percentage of credits accumulated, and supporting evidence, such as Malaysian Micro-Credential Statements (MMS).

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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.M application and assessment in WOU?

The following three levels of study are offered for APEL.M application and assessment in WOU:

  • Master’s Degree Programme
  • Bachelor’s Degree Programme
  • Diploma Programme
What are the APEL.M application criteria?
The APEL.M application criteria are listed below:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.M assessment take to complete?
The APEL.M assessment may take as long as two to four months to complete. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for APEL.M certification six months prior to the date of admission into the intended institution and programme.

1. Master’s Degree level
Minimum period of three months from the date of submission of complete application.

2. Bachelor’s Degree level
Minimum period of two months from the date of submission of complete application.

3. 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.M application to WOU?

For candidates who would like to undergo APEL.M assessment at WOU, you must first register with MQA (https://www2.mqa.gov.my/portalapelm/) before submitting your application via WOU’s APEL.M Portal (https://myapel-m.wou.edu.my/). The registration form is to be presented for WOU’s verification and validation.

What are the components in the APEL.M assessment and their weightages?
1. Master’s Degree level Aptitude Test (40%) > Portfolio (40%) > Interview (20%)
2. Bachelor’s Degree level Aptitude Test (30%) > Portfolio (70%)
3. Diploma level Aptitude Test (100%) > Portfolio (Must fulfil the set criteria.)
What is an Aptitude Test?
Aptitude Test is a formal examination which the applicant must pass.
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?
Test durations are listed below:

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?
1. Master’s Degree level – Weightage: 40% Structure

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?
Portfolio is a compilation that documents the prior experiences of an applicant which include formal, informal and non-formal learning. Portfolio must be prepared in English.
What are examples of evidence for APEL.M application & Portfolio?
Below are listed the examples of evidence that can be used to support APEL.M application and Portfolio:

Direct Evidence Indirect Evidence
Certificates Written Records
Work Samples Part A: 12 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy Email
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 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?

Interview is only applicable for APEL.A assessment at the Master’s Degree 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 10% of total assessment marks.

What is the passing mark?
The passing marks for each component and overall score is at least 50% of the total marks.
Is appeal for APEL results allowed?
Yes, applicants who have failed the Aptitude Test may appeal for a review or apply for a re-sitting. Applicants who have failed the Portfolio assessment (Bachelor’s Degree levels) may re-submit the Portfolio for another assessment. Applicants who have failed either the Portfolio assessment or interview (only for Master’s Degree) MUST re-do both components regardless of which component the candidate failed.
Will applicants who pass the APEL.M assessment be issued any certificate/document?
An official notification letter to inform the results will be issued to the applicant by MQA or the APEL Assessment Centre. Applicants who have passed the APEL.M assessment will be awarded the APEL certification by MQA, which can be used to apply for admission into any of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia.
What is the use of APEL certification?
APEL certification can only be used by applicants for the purpose of furthering their studies at HEIs. It is not the awarding of qualifications like the academic programme at HEIs. The APEL certificate also cannot be used for employment purposes.For example: APEL Certificate for Master’s level (Level 7) can only be used to apply for admission to HEIs to further their studies at Master’s level. It is not an award for a Master’s programme as issued by the HEI.
Does the APEL certificate have a validity period?
The APEL.A certificate has a 5-year validity period from the date the results are announced. However, for those who have the certificate issued before 1 January 2023, the validity ends on 31 December 2027.
How much is APEL M application fees?
Level Fees (RM)
T4 – Diploma 240
T6 – Degree 350
T7 – Master 450
T8 – Doctorate 550

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