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The National Framework of Qualifications: A Higher Education and Training Perspective

The National Framework of Qualifications: A Higher Education and Training Perspective. Liam Ryan Director of Academic Affairs Higher Education and Training Awards Council. Overview. How will the NFQ affect HET ? Levels, descriptors, standards and awards Other changes Managing the change

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The National Framework of Qualifications: A Higher Education and Training Perspective

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  1. The National Framework of Qualifications:A Higher Education and Training Perspective Liam Ryan Director of Academic Affairs Higher Education and Training Awards Council

  2. Overview • How will the NFQ affect HET ? • Levels, descriptors, standards and awards • Other changes • Managing the change • Disclaimer

  3. Some Higher Education and Training Perspectives on the NFQ • Learners • Providers • Academic and training community • Employers • Trade unions • Professional bodies • Government • Society at large

  4. How will the NFQ affect ITs? • Completely new set of awards from 2006 • Learning outcomes of all programmes must be stated • Each IT sets own admission criteria, implementing NQAI requirements on access, transfer and progression

  5. How else does QETA affect ITs? • Quality Assurance Procedures • agreed with HETAC • implementation and effectiveness reviewed by HETAC, 5-yearly • Learner Assessment Procedures • fair • consistent • compliant with HETAC standards • Delegated authority to make awards • Open, transparent, accountable

  6. Levels and descriptors in the Framework • NQAI • 10 Levels, each with a Level Descriptor • One or more Award-types at each Level, each with an Award-type Descriptor • HETAC • One or more Named Awards for each Award-type • Standard (learning outcomes) for each Named Award

  7. HET Award-types • Level 10 - Doctorate • Level 9 - Master Degree Post-graduate Diploma • Level 8 - Honours Bachelor Degree Higher Diploma • Level 7 - Ordinary Bachelor Degree • Level 6 - Higher Certificate

  8. (Hypothetical) Examples at Level 8 Level 8 Descriptor states the general learning outcomes for awards at Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree is an Award-type at Level 8, and conforms to its award-type descriptor Bachelor of Science (Honours) may be a Named Award, and comply with its Named Award Standard Higher Diploma is also an Award-type at Level 8 Higher Diploma in Computing may be a Named Award

  9. The Level 6 problem: progression issues SEC 4/5 to HETAC 6, 7, 8 (SEC 4/5 to FETAC 5, 6) (SEC 4/5 to DIT 6, 7, 8) FETAC 5 to HETAC 6, 7, 8 (FETAC 5 to FETAC 6) (FETAC 6 to DIT 7, 8) FETAC 6 to HETAC 7, 8 (FETAC 6 to DIT 7, 8) HETAC 6 to HETAC 7, 8 HETAC 7 to HETAC 8

  10. Binary System • Principles • Diversity of mission • Parity of esteem • Implied • Parity of regulation • Parity of resources

  11. How do NFQ and QETA affect the Binary System? • Positives • Framework underlines equality of standards in diverse programmes • Delegated Authority provides equality of awarding powers for ITs • Negatives • Universities and ITs not treated equally • Universities requested to cooperate • HETAC and ITs must comply • Longer intervals between reviews

  12. What should ITs do now? • Agree QA procedures with HETAC • Satisfy HETAC that learner assessment is fair and consistent and complies with HETAC standards • Apply to HETAC for postgraduate accreditation • Review and re-classification of existing programmes to fit new NFQ award-types structure • Apply to HETAC for delegated authority to make awards

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