This research examines whether the policy documents of the universities in the Western Cape comply with the requirements of the National Government RPL policy. The thesis considers the range of definitions of RPL that are to be found in the literature. It then examines the particular meaning given to RPL by the South African government. Policy development within this framework is considered. The thesis explores the extent of compliance of the RPL policies of the University of the Western Cape, The University of Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch with the RPL policy requirements of national government. The research concludes that government policy requirements are not properly reflected in several important respects at the respective institutions.