If you completed coursework at another institution and want it recognized at University of Johannesburg (UJ), there’s an important distinction to get right first: UJ’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process explicitly does not cover this — what you actually need is UJ’s separate exemption process, and confusing the two wastes real time.
Process details, fees, and requirements are reviewed periodically — confirm current specifics directly at uj.ac.za or with your specific faculty before applying.
Why RPL isn’t what you want for inter-institution credits
UJ’s own RPL policy is explicit: credit for a module completed at another university, or even another UJ department, does not qualify under RPL. RPL is specifically for recognizing knowledge and skills gained outside formal study — most commonly work experience — for access to a programme, credit toward a module, or advanced standing based on demonstrated competence. If your credits come from formal coursework at another institution, you need UJ’s separate faculty-level exemption process instead.
How the exemption process works
Exemption applications are handled at the faculty level for your specific intended programme, rather than through a single centralized university-wide process — meaning the exact requirements, documentation, and turnaround time can vary depending on which faculty and programme you’re applying into. Contact your target faculty directly once you have an offer, or as early in the application process as possible, since exemption decisions can affect your programme duration and course sequencing.
What you’ll typically need
Expect to provide official transcripts and course syllabi or module descriptions from your previous institution, since faculties assess exemptions based on content overlap and depth, not just module titles or the fact that a subject sounds similar. A generically named module at another institution isn’t automatically equivalent to a UJ module with the same name — detailed course content matters more than the title.
If you’re specifically seeking RPL instead
If your situation genuinely involves recognizing work experience or informal learning rather than another institution’s coursework, RPL is the correct pathway — expect an RPL Request Fee and a separate RPL Assessment Fee (roughly equivalent to the cost of the module itself), with any credit granted being programme-specific and valid only for a defined period, not a permanent transferable credit.
Building your UJ application around this
Confirm your exemption or RPL status as early as possible — ideally before you’re relying on it to complete registration on time — and see Does UJ Accept NSFAS Funding? and Is UJ Accredited? for the funding and recognition questions that typically come up alongside a transfer decision.