What is APEL.Q?

APEL.Q – Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Qualifications is a Recognition of Prior Learning (APEL) process for qualifications (Q – Qualification) through the assessment and evaluation of the learning process (formal, informal, on-the-job training) and work experience. APEL.Q is widely implemented in Europe, and recently, in Asia, some countries have recognized APEL.Q as a formal process, nationally accredited, and prioritized for development as an effective policy serving open education, labour mobility, and lifelong learning.

APEL.Q allows individuals with professional expertise and work experience but without academic degrees to convert their experience into qualifications. APEL.Q is considered a rigorous, transparent, fair, accurate, and cost-effective process.

With traditional training programs, degree conferral is based on the competencies acquired through the training program. APEL.Q employs a reverse process compared to traditional education, using competencies defined by the government for each position and level to assess, recognize, and award qualifications. Degrees will be granted by occupational associations and/or universities if those entities acknowledge the assessment process.

APEL.Q for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Schweizer Institut für Hochschulbildung in Management und Innovation (MI Swiss):

Through a 3-step process, which includes (1) portfolios detailing experience and work processes, (2) End Point Assessment, and (3) Capstone Project, students can receive a qualification of Master of Business Administration (MBA), saving 85% of learning time and 80% of costs compared to full-time learning processes in Europe.

The APEL.Q program at MI Swiss is the world’s first independently implemented APEL.Q, featuring competency criteria supported by Senior Leader Bureau.

Graduate Qualification:

Upon graduation, students receive a Master of Business Administration qualification from Horizons University (HU).

Competency used for evaluating APEL.Q leads to an MBA:

The complete qualifications framework used to evaluate APEL.Q was designed by the UK government in order to ensure recognition and effectiveness in the workplace, with the assistance of councils such as Serco (employer chair), Civil Service (employer chair), Acivico (Birmingham City Council), Anglo Educational, Barclays, BT, Balfour Beatty, Barchester Healthcare, Boots UK Ltd, British Army, BBC, CMI, Co-op, DFS, Grant Thornton, Interserve, JRV Associates, KPMG, Morgan Sindell, NHS (Dept of Health), Nestle, Opus Building Services, Pearson, Pendragon plc, Ricoh, Sainsburys, Santander UK plc, Speedy Services, umi Digital, Unipart, United Utilities plc, Virgin Media, Wincanton, XPO Logistics.

1. Get Master of Business Administration Qualification – MBA in one of the main majors:

• The APEL.Q process acknowledges accumulated experiences that align with the master-level requirements of senior leadership positions, allowing direct transfer to the Capstone Project stage with our university partners. Candidates can receive the final results in optimal time, provided they adhere to the program’s framework and submit the required documentation.

2. All degrees and assessment criteria are fully accredited

• All assessment criteria are mapped to Senior Leader Bureau United Kingdom standards and published and recognized by the UK government.
• Assessment criteria are recognized in the workplace with the participation of various assessment councils from CMI, Acivico, Agillisys, Anglo Educational, Balfour Beatty, Barchester Healthcare, Barclays Bank, Boots UK Ltd, BBC, Civil Service, Codegent, Co-op, Evolution Partnership, HMRC, Kinnerton Confectionery, NISA Retail Limited, One Stop, Opus Building Services, Sainsburys, Santander UK plc, Serco, Umi Digital / Anglo Educational, Virgin Media, ILM, TUI, Markerstudy, Babcock, Gateshead Council, Lifetime.

3. Saving a significant amount of study time:

Instead of full-time studying for 1.5 to 2 years in Europe, with the APEL.Q process for Master of Business Administration, you only have 02 activities and 01 course as below:

• Activity 1: Submit Portfolios to MI Swiss
• Activity 2: Complete the End-Point Assessment and submit it to MI Swiss
• Course: Study and complete Capstone Project

4. Saving 80% on tuition fees:

• You only have to pay 20% of the total tuition fees compared to the cost of studying and living as a full-time student in Europe. Please contact us for more details.

5. Transparent & No extra fees

• APEL.Q is a completely fair and transparent process. We assure you that no costs will be incurred without being announced.

About Horizons University, France:

• Approved and recognized for undergraduate and postgraduate training activities by the French Ministry of Education;
• Recognized training activities in France and abroad by the Paris professional training department;
• Achieved the French Qualiopi quality education certificate;
• Program accreditation by Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP);
• Program accreditation by the European Council for Business Education (ECBE). ECBE is a member of ENQA;
• A member of the Federation for Education in Europe (FEDE).

To apply for APEL.Q, the candidates are required to have:

English requirements

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2 or equivalent.
• IELTS 5.5; Reading and Writing must be at 5.5 or equivalent.
• If you do not have any English qualifications, you may be required to take our English test. 

After the completion of the APEL.Q program, candidates will receive:

1. The APEL.Q Report recognizes the competency mapping with the Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

After the End Point Assessment, APEL.Q candidates will receive the APEL.Q report that analyzes and certifies the competency of the APEL.Q candidacy as equivalent to a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. Subjects with recognized results include:

• Level 7 EQF/RQF – Strategic Management (20 UK/10 ECTS Credits)
• Level 7 EQF/RQF – Strategic Leadership (Leading Change, Cross Cultural Leadership) (20 UK/10 ECTS Credits)
• Level 7 EQF/RQF – Strategic Human Resource Management (20 UK/10 ECTS Credits)
• Level 7 EQF/RQF – Advanced Business Research Methods (20 UK/10 ECTS Credits)
• Level 7 EQF/RQF – Strategic Financial Management (20 UK/10 ECTS Credits)
• Level 7 EQF/RQF – Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 UK/10 ECTS Credits)

Note: After the End-Point Assessment (EPA), candidates will receive the APEL.Q Report. This report is used solely for the recognition of the academic level and for registration at the Capstone Project stage of the partner universities.

• APEL.Q Assessment Report is a document that evaluates candidates’ competency corresponding to Level 7 RQF (Master). APEL.Q helps the MI Swiss’s partner universities to recognize and admit candidates for the Capstone Project stage.
• At the working environment, APEL.Q Assessment Report is also used to demonstrate the competency, the level of professional at enterprises, as well as a tool for human resource managers to evaluate employee performance.

Applicants cannot use the APEL.Q Assessment Report to transfer to other academic programs that are not recognized and authorized in writing by the MI Swiss.

2. Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Horizons University (HU):

• The qualification is issued by Horizons University.

Please note: In France, there are two diploma systems: the National Diplomas and the University Diplomas. National Diplomas are national diploma system granted by the French Ministry of Education through national exams and studying French national curriculum in French. University Diplomas are diploma system granted by universities through examinations organized by the universities, along with evaluation from independent internal and external accreditation systems.

Horizons University’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral qualifications belong to the University Diplomas system.

The assessment consists of the subsequent:

1. Portfolio Submission

• Submit your portfolio
• MI Swiss will evaluate your portfolio

2. End Point Assessment (EPA)

• Complete the End Point Assessment with the guides and support from the MI Swiss
• Receive APEL.Q report from MI Swiss
• Transfer the End Point Assessment result from MI Swiss to the partner university

3. Capstone Project & Postgraduate courses (if any)

• Complete the capstone course(s) and short course(s) (if any)
• Graduate & get qualification from Horizons University (HU)

During the End-Point Assessment (EPA) evaluation, if the assessment board concludes that the candidate has not met the requirements, there are still ample opportunities for the candidate to supplement evidence and/or competencies to pass the EPA. The unsuccessful profiles will be categorized into two groups: (1) Those requiring additional evidence (Resit) and (2) Those needing to enhance competencies/knowledge (Retake).

1. For records requiring additional evidence (Resit):

• The maximum number of Resit times is 1 times.
• Resit fee for 1 time: 200 USD.

2. For records with additional capacity requirements (Retake):

• The maximum number of Retake is 1 time.
• Retake fee for 1 time: 800 USD.

Please contact us for more details.

APEL.Q is a special humanitarian program born in the context of epidemics, wars and crises, when people are forced to immigrate or lose documents to prove their education and abilities. With such nature, the program always creates the best conditions for candidates in difficult circumstances and disadvantaged people who have been directly affected by war and crises.

Scope of application:

Disadvantaged group are people who face disadvantages in life. According to UNESCO’s definition, disadvantaged group include:

• People with disabilities;
• People in particularly difficult circumstances;
• Pregnant women;
• People over 60 years old;
• People with limited mobility.

Policy for those people:

• Support 50% of the entire APEL.Q cost for the End-Point Assessment phase;
• In case of failure in the End-Point Assessment, the disadvantaged people will receive a 100% refund.

The MI Swiss wants to join hands to partially support the disadvantaged community with policies that span the globe and apply to all programs.

MI Swiss understands that with support from the Senior Leader Bureau and local partners, the process of providing evidence will be more accurate, time-saving and easier for professional councils to evaluate.

Our local partner will support you during APEL.Q procedure and Capstone Project. There is no additional cost incurred, please kindly notice that your work should be done by yourself, the local partner will not take over all your work. In addition, it is compulsory to be honest in every process, otherwise we will immediately terminate your APEL.Q application without reimbursement of any costs when we found false or inaccurate competency proofs in your application.

The local partner of MI Swiss will help you to:

• 1. Consult the APEL.Q procedure;
  2. Help you self-evaluate your qualifications successfully before submitting your APEL.Q application;
  3. Provide complete information such as regulation, competency standard and liability disclaimer.
  4. Instruct to prepare APEL.Q forms.
  5. Instruct to submit Portfolios and proofs.
  6. Instruct End-Point Assessment.
  7. Explain for the MI Swiss and partner universities in case that the provided evidence is in different languages and in misleading or confusing proofs translation. 
  8. Have a tutor for Capstone Project during study and do Capstone Project with University.

Local scientific partners will only support you, absolutely not take over your work.

No support fee:

Local partners do not charge support fees from candidates. APEL.Q candidates do not incur any additional fee for activities.

No commitment of the contents that are not under authority:

According to EU regulations and those regulations related to transparency, unfair competition and GDPR, both the MI Swiss, the partner universities and local partners shall not commit anything that is not under their authority. Please refer to disclaimer for more information.

The APEL.Q process consists of two stages and each stage is independently responsible by MI Swiss and University Partners. The responsibility of MI Swiss will end after successful transfer of the End-Point Assessment (EPA) results to University Partner and seeking the recognition from the University Partner.

After University Partner has recognized the EPA results, the candidate officially becomes a student of University Partner and can participate in the final stage (Capstone Project). As a student, the candidate will have all the benefits of being an international student from partner universities, including the right to receive a qualification and attend the graduation ceremony if they meet all of the criteria of partner universities.

Depending on the Partner University event schedule, candidates can participate in the graduation ceremony held in Europe or other locations chosen by the University Partner. Graduation ceremony attendance fees and additional related fees will be paid by the candidates and excluded from the APEL.Q tuition fee.

In case candidates are unable to attend the graduation ceremony, the qualification will be delivered to the local partner. Candidates can come to the local partner’s office to pick up their qualification.

As a student through APEL.Q, during the study time, you are not eligible to visit the campuses of our university partners, cannot obtain a student visa, and will not receive an invitation letter from a university partner to enter the country where the university partner is located.

The entire qualifications framework is used to evaluate APEL.Q for the MBA program is advised by London Academy of Sciences and mapping with standard for apprenticeship which is recognized by the United Kingdom government with the participation of a variety of councils such as Serco (employer chair), Civil Service (employer chair), Acivico (Birmingham City Council), Anglo Educational, Barclays, BT, Balfour Beatty, Barchester Healthcare, Boots UK Ltd, British Army, BBC, CMI, Co-op, DFS, Grant Thornton, Interserve, JRV Associates, KPMG, Morgan Sindell, NHS (Dept of Health), Nestle, Opus Building Services, Pearson, Pendragon plc, Ricoh, Sainsburys, Santander UK plc, Speedy Services, umi Digital, Unipart, United Utilities plc, Virgin Media, Wincanton, and XPO Logistics.

APEL.Q competency for Master of Business Administration program (MBA), at Level 7 in accordance with the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF):

Detailed competency framework (We will keep the original version provided by the UK government):

Direct Evidence

Certificates and Diplomas

You can provide various types of certificates and diplomas that you have accumulated:

• Diplomas, certificates
• Result confirmations
• Courses organized by businesses (with certificates)

Job-related documents

You can provide documents and records that you have accessed or developed during your work:

• Photos, diagrams, charts, processes…
• Reports
• Written documents
• Projects
• Goals
• Products or works that you have acquired

Records of Business Activities

Documents arising from the business activities that you can provide:

• Notes
• Emails
• Completed records, documents
• Contracts, agreements at the workplace
• Contracts with customers

Other documents

You can provide other evidence arising from everyday life:

• Published articles
• Awards from professional associations, communities…

Indirect Evidence

Records

You can provide records (forms or documents with filled information) including:

• Work logs
• Records
• Scientific articles
• Blog posts, social media articles…

E-mail

You can provide communication emails with relevant parties to demonstrate corresponding capabilities:

• Customer feedback
• To-do lists, checklist
• Documents demonstrating “writing and communication” skills

Supporting letters

You can provide letters confirming your capabilities from:

• Business owners
• Community, associations
• Those who have worked with you (colleagues, partners…)

General information

• The APEL.Q process is an independent process implemented by the MI Swiss. According to EU regulations and international standards, the APEL.Q process is executed to ensure transparency, fairness, independence, and efficiency, following the stipulations and guidelines. However, it is not a program under the government and does not receive financial support, scholarships, etc., from the government.
• MI Swiss’s APEL.Q process is independent and recognized by partner universities, but it is not subject to intervention or control by partner universities or any third parties. MI Swiss conducts the APEL.Q accreditation and makes decisions. The partner universities only accept and recognize the results after MI Swiss has completed the APEL.Q Assessment Report.
• The APEL.Q result, assessed by MI Swiss along with accompanying documents and certificates, is used solely to assist partner universities in recognizing corresponding capabilities within the training program to transition to the final stage (Capstone Project), thereby saving time and costs. MI Swiss’s APEL.Q results are not professional certificates, job recognitions, position/title recognitions, qualifications, or any similar forms.
• The partner university is the institution that confers degrees. MI Swiss does not award academic qualifications (qualification, academic diploma) in any form to candidates applying for the APEL.Q process.
• Students may not use the APEL.Q Assessment Report to transfer to universities other than the partner university or universities officially recognized by MI Swiss in writing.
• After having their capabilities recognized by the partner university, candidates are now official students of the partner university and proceed to the Capstone Project stage. Students are obligated to adhere to the regulations set by the partner university during the Capstone Project and fulfill related responsibilities before and after graduation. MI Swiss’s responsibility ends once candidates are confirmed as official students by the partner university and enter the Capstone Project stage.
• Both MI Swiss and the partner university do not commit to anything beyond their jurisdiction and decision-making authority, and they are not responsible for the use of the diploma, diploma recognition in the workplace and country, career advancement, settlement opportunities, employment opportunities, etc., after graduation.
• MI Swiss has the right to immediately cancel the APEL.Q results without refunding any fees if the candidate violates the agreed-upon principles before applying for the APEL.Q process.
• If a candidate provides forged evidence or inaccurate information in the APEL.Q portfolio, MI Swiss and the partner university have the right to invalidate the results (including APEL.Q results and issued diplomas, if any). In this case, MI Swiss and the partner university will not refund any fees or incurred costs (if any) in any form, and the candidate is responsible for all risks and damages caused by forgery and inaccurate information.
• During and after the candidate’s learning process and the completion of Capstone Project, the partner university has the right to revoke the student status, withhold the diploma, or revoke the issued diploma if the candidate violates the agreed-upon principles, signed regulations, and academic integrity.
• MI Swiss reserves the right to accept or reject the APEL.Q portfolio of the candidate.
• The prescribed timeline for the entire process is 9-12 months, ensuring that candidates submit complete portfolios and meet the deadlines for End-Point Assessment and Capstone Project. Cases of non-compliance with the predefined timeline will not receive the graduation confirmation letter and/or diploma within the 9-12 month period. Students will receive the graduation confirmation letter within 1 month from the date of Capstone Project results, and the diploma will be shipped to the authorized representative unit in the country within 2 months. The actual delivery time depends on the university’s issuance process, printing time, and the transportation duration by the delivery unit.
• The fee for the APEL.Q process does not cover graduation-related costs (if any), diploma shipping fees, and other expenses unrelated to the APEL.Q process.
• The APEL.Q registration fee is non-refundable in any form.

Candidates are encouraged to thoroughly check and obtain information from reliable sources before registering for the MI Swiss APEL.Q process.

MI Swiss and the partner university do not commit to:

• No commitment that participating in APEL.Q process is qualified and can take part in the program’s final stage from the partner university if candidates do not meet the standards and regulations.
• No commitment that participating in the final stage is able to get the degree/diploma if candidates do not meet the academic standards, financial obligations and related regulations from the partner university.
• No commitment about the qualification/diploma usage process after the partner university issued, including the recognition in the workplace and the country where the degree is used.
• No commitment about immigration, job promotion, easy to get a job, student visa or tourism before/during/after graduation and get a diploma/qualification.

MI Swiss and its partners do not commit to anything beyond their jurisdiction.