EQF/NQF – Response of Ireland’s Higher Education System to Bologna

1. EQF/NQF – Response of Ireland’s Higher Education System to Bologna Dr Patrick Cashell University of Limerick and Secretary, European Association for Institutional Research

2. IRELAND’S HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS • Universities/University-level Designated Institutions 10 • Institutes of Technology 14 • Colleges of Education 6 • Other 12

3. Some features of Ireland’s Higher Education System • Participation in Higher Education in Ireland is high by European standards 38% cf 32% (20 yrs old) • Ireland is 2nd of 17 re Diploma/Certificate 8th of 21 re Bachelors Degree 13th of 27 re Advanced Research Degree (OECD Reports, 2004) • Ireland’s admission rate to Higher Education has steadily increased (from 0.20) in 1980, to 0.55 (in 2004) • In 2004 new entrants University Sector 47% Institutes of Technology 42% Colleges of Education 5% Other 6%

4. Ireland’s Response and ‘Fit’ to Bologna • NQAI Award Framework • Some Bachelors 3 yrs duration, • some = 4 years • Ordinary Bachelors = 3 years • Progression Bachelors → Masters • not automatic; there is normally a qualification threshold. • PhD now considered 4th level (level 10)

5. ISSUES • ECTS Compliance • Diploma Supplement • Promotion/Facilitation of mobility (Faculty/Students) • Articulation of Learning Outcomes • Development/Implementation of ‘EUROPASS’ • - Diploma Supplement • - CV • - Language Competence

6. Quality Assurance (Berlin & Bergen) • Almost all countries have made provision for a QA system based on the criteria of the Berlin Communiqué • Adoption of standards and guidelines for QA in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) • Introduction of model of peer review on a national basis • Implementation developed by ENQA (In cooperation of EUA, EURASHE and ESIB)

7. Quality Assurance in Ireland’s Institutions • Ireland’s Higher Education Institutions have comprehensively engaged in the QA/QI process • The Universities’ QA process was reviewed in some detail by EUA panels, appointed by the HEA, Ireland’s Higher Education funding agency. • At the launch of the report, the Minister for Education and Science stated: “The Report…confirms the seriousness of the approach of each of our universities to Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement…” and “…the systematic organisation and promotion of quality assurance at the initiative of the universities themselves [here] is unparalleled in any other country in Europe or in the US or Canada….”.

8. Students’ Views – students in focus groups ……. ESIB Position • ECTS Credits re. extracurricular activities • Credits for work placement • Experiential Learning • 4 + 1 v 3 + 2 • Two different duration Masters • Three Year Bachelors’, Non Progression to Masters • Economy/Labour Market unaware of new structures • Student involvement not included in QA procedures (some countries) • Students as Partners

9. The National Framework of Qualifications – award-types and awarding bodies