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After 20 years of working with Apel in universities, I am dismayed at conservative suspicions from the Quality Assurance Agency.

It is arrogant to assume that higher-level learning can be acquired only by theoretical study at the feet of an academic.

We spend much time finding valuable placements for experiential learning to incorporate into degree courses and professional mentors who can support our students. Why then does it not make good sense to recognise those outcomes of experiential learning in those who have gone straight into organisations often well equipped to develop them?

In widening participation, there are few things as confidence building as being able to demonstrate to prospective learners what they have already achieved.

Freda Tallantyre
Deputy vice-chancellor (academic)
University of Derby