qualifications are better understood

1. Recognition in the Modern World – future best practice Tim Buttress Deputy Director Marketing & Communications UK NARIC ACTT International Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education 30 April – 3 May 2013 Trinidad and Tobago qualifications are better understood

2. UK NARIC UK NARIC is the UK’s national agency responsible for providing information and advice on vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications from all over the world. Part of the ENIC-NARIC network which was established in 1984. Aim of the network is to “stimulate the mobility of students and staff”. Underlying principle is to ensure that the attributes of an individual are recognised. Operate under contract from UK Central Government. Provides services for individuals and organisations. qualifications are better understood

3. UK NARIC – services for individuals 40K + enquiries a year 50:50 split between education and employment Statement of Comparability Fast Track Certificate English Language Assessment Career Path Report qualifications are better understood

4. UK NARIC – services for individuals qualifications are better understood

5. UK NARIC – services for individuals qualifications are better understood

6. UK NARIC – services for organisations Organisations 850 members HEIs, Professional Bodies, Careers Guidance organisations, employers, local and central Government, education bodies etc. Online Databases Member Enquiries Training Conference Counter Fraud eCatalogues Newsletters Consultancy and Research qualifications are better understood

7. UK NARIC – services for organisations qualifications are better understood

8. UK NARIC – services for organisations qualifications are better understood

9. The Concept of Recognition Quality Assurance Qualification Frameworks Professional Mobility Recognition Transparency and Information Provision Core Credential Evaluation Criteria Academic Mobility qualifications are better understood

10. FE and HE institutions QAA Other government / education agencies Thematic Steering Groups Recognition Agencies: UK NARIC Individuals Quality Assurance Bodies Professional Bodies ENIC - NARIC Network CANQATE ENQA qualifications are better understood

11. Not just academic HE TVET • ECVET, EQF • ECTS • Europass – Certificate Supplement • Europass -Diploma Supplement • ET 2020 • European Higher Education Area • Copenhagen Declaration • Bologna Declaration qualifications are better understood

12. Towards a European Area of Recognition Europass ENQA Transparency ENIC-NARIC Network ENIC-NARIC Network European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) Harmonisation and Transferability European Credit system for VET (ECVET) European Qualification Framework National Action Plans – Implementing and Improving National Action Plans Best Practice in Recognition European Area of Recognition Mutual recognition of QA qualifications are better understood

13. Linking recognition centres in Europe, Australasia, and North America…. • Sharing and providing information on: • Recognition of foreign qualifications • Best practice in recognition • Education systems internationally and in the centre’s own country to other recognition centres, institutions, employers and other relevant stakeholders Transparency Promoting mobility through Europe by removing barriers to working, studying or training • Europass CV • Diploma Supplement • Certificate Supplement • Language Passport • Europass Mobility qualifications are better understood

14. Harmonisation and Transferability The European Qualification Framework for Lifelong Learning qualifications are better understood

15. The European Qualification Framework for Lifelong Learning Harmonisation and Transferability Case Study: A UK university is considering applications for admission to undergraduate study. The requirement for admission is 3 GCE A levels or a comparable international qualification England QCF Level 3 GCE AS and A Level National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) level 3 Functional Skills Level 3 (England only) France Certifications de niveau4 Titre Professionnel: Gouvernante EQF Level 4 • Fall on broadly the same level of the EQF but: • different purpose • different content • different structure • different general learning outcomes • Learning outcomes include: • Factual knowledge in broad contexts within a field of work or study • A range of cognitive and practical skills required to generate solutions The EQF should not replace credential evaluation but support it. qualifications are better understood

16. information provision; accreditation; quality assurance; the Diploma Supplement; qualification frameworks; credit systems and transfer; substantial differences, transnational education Best Practice in Recognition qualifications are better understood

17. Assessing qualifications Qualification frameworks (QCF and EQF) QCF 8 bands EQF 8 bands We use NARIC bands “…develop a the list of statements in order to eradicate inexact or excessively broadly statements…” In the QCF there are 5 levels between GCE A Level and PhD. There are 11 NARIC bands qualifications are better understood

18. Assessing qualifications qualifications are better understood

19. Assessing qualifications qualifications are better understood

20. Assessing qualifications qualifications are better understood

21. Assessing qualifications qualifications are better understood

22. Assessing qualifications qualifications are better understood

23. Recognising the whole HE qualifications Language tests Secondary qualifications Credits Professional qualifications Skills & experience TVET qualifications are better understood

24. Future Best Practice Need to consider the whole Not only academic Adapting the needs of members – not all UK based Increase in usage from those outside the traditional market of HEIs Also, more individuals applying to HEIs with TVET quals Also, qualifications used for entry into Professional Bodies, within immigration systems, to gain employment How can we continue to ensure that comparability statements are “accurate” qualifications are better understood

25. Professional Qualifications • PQs are a significant segment of qualifications an individual can present. • But what is their value? • Can only judge in academic terms • Methodology based on • Identification of suitable UK benchmarks • Identification of the professional award type and sector • Sourcing information relevant to the professional qualification • Analysis of the professional qualification using UK NARIC evaluation criteria • Benchmarking the qualification to the UK NARIC Band Framework • Validation and verification of benchmarked level • Professional Body’s view • European Directive 2005/36/EC qualifications are better understood

26. TVET Same principles as the academic qualifications In Europe the Vocational and Technical frameworks are well defined = easier Certificate Supplement highlighting the profile of the skills and competencies gained as a result of the course. Outcome based qualifications are better understood

27. Skill & experience Recognising non-formal learning Supporting evidence Training, managed activities Europass Mobility documentation Skills Passport ReferNet Policy Impact Reporting qualifications are better understood

28. Credits • Many qualifications are made up from credits • What happens if an individual has completed some credits from a qualification and leaves with an incomplete qualifications? • UK NARIC are unable to assess the qualification • ECVET (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training) • “…allowing for the accumulation and transfer of credits gained through the recognition of learning outcomes in vocational education and training (VET) across Europe. ECVET has been developed to facilitate the recognition of achievements in vocational education and training, in formal, informal and non-formal learning…” • Underpinned by European legislation qualifications are better understood

29. Language proficiency • Part of the UK’s immigration system. • English Language speaking country • Achieving the relevant grade in a recognised ELT • Achieving a Bachelor level qualifications where MOI is English • ELT Catalogue qualifications are better understood

30. Credits & QCF Qualifications on the QCF rules are made up of units Each unit has a credit value One credit will usually take you 10 hours of learning Units build up to qualifications Three different types of qualification in the QCF: Award, Certificate and Diploma Award with 1 to 12 credits Certificate you will need 13 – 36 credits Diploma you will need at least 37 credits qualifications are better understood

31. Credits & QCF qualifications are better understood

32. What employers what • Graduate recruiters, graduates and careers professionals • Attitude • Skills • Work experience • Qualification • Also • 300K graduates from UK HEIs every year • 78 applications for each graduate job qualifications are better understood

33. Standing out from the crowd qualifications are better understood

34. Portfolio Management Academic Professional Skills Language proficiency Non-formal Learning qualifications are better understood

37. Education fraud How do you know whether a qualification is legitimate? Who should you consult? What is education fraud? qualifications are better understood

38. Education fraud

39. Who commits fraud? Gene Morrison 'Bogus forensic expert bought degree on web' Manchester Evening News Abdul Pirzada 'Fake doctor jailed over CV lies‘ BBC Dec 2012 Stein Bagger Danish Entrepreneur of the Year Denmark's best IT-company qualifications are better understood

40. Academics When is a fake not a fake? Over 20 professors of music are facing a retrial, having previously been found not guilty of using doctoral degrees purchased in Russia to obtain faculty positions in South Korea. This includes a pianist who is said to have received over US$2 million for acting as a broker for the Russian college and those seeking degrees. The musicians were acquitted last year because the district court deemed that the degrees could not be regarded as fake because they had been approved by the Russian authorities. The acquittals have now been deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court because the accused were appointed on the basis of the evidence of qualifications they submitted as if they had genuinely been obtained in Russia. QAA International Newsletter Nov 2009 http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912304 qualifications are better understood

41. Academics When is a fake not a fake? Over 20 professors of music are facing a retrial, having previously been found not guilty of using doctoral degrees purchased in Russia to obtain faculty positions in South Korea. This includes a pianist who is said to have received over US$2 million for acting as a broker for the Russian college and those seeking degrees. The musicians were acquitted last year because the district court deemed that the degrees could not be regarded as fake because they had been approved by the Russian authorities. The acquittals have now been deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court because the accused were appointed on the basis of the evidence of qualifications they submitted as if they had genuinely been obtained in Russia. QAA International Newsletter Nov 2009 http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912304 qualifications are better understood

42. Degree Mills Degree Mill: An Institution of higher education operating without supervision of a state or professional agency and granting diplomas which are either fraudulent or worthless because of the lack of proper standards Degree Mills do not equal Unrecognised Institutions qualifications are better understood

43. Degree Mills Common features: • Strong emphasis on fee levels and payment plans. Often prices are very low • Short duration of courses – days or weeks • Long list of accreditation agencies and affiliated bodies • Offer to accredit life experience • Links such as ‘Order Now’ and ‘free evaluation forms’ are often found at the lower end of the market • Unlikely degree titles • No contact address • Contact details that differ from claimed location of the institution qualifications are better understood

44. Examples of Degree Mills Los Angeles and Honolulu! It is unusual to have the records office and the campus over 1000 miles apart! So many campuses in all these countries! qualifications are better understood

45. My favourite! http://www.superiorfakedegrees.com/ qualifications are better understood

46. It gets better Degree or Diploma Certificate – $230.00 (includes two copies of degree certificate) Degree or Diploma Transcripts – $250.00 (includes two copies of degree transcripts) Degree Certificate and Transcripts Package – $380.00 (includes 2 copies of degree or diploma certificate along with 2 copies of transcripts) You Save Over 20%! 2 Degrees + 2 Transcripts (2 different degrees, corresponding transcripts) – $600.00 3 Degrees + 3 Transcripts (3 different degrees, corresponding transcripts) – $850.00 qualifications are better understood

47. It gets better Degree or Diploma Certificate – $230.00 (includes two copies of degree certificate) Degree or Diploma Transcripts – $250.00 (includes two copies of degree transcripts) Degree Certificate and Transcripts Package – $380.00 (includes 2 copies of degree or diploma certificate along with 2 copies of transcripts) You Save Over 20%! 2 Degrees + 2 Transcripts (2 different degrees, corresponding transcripts) – $600.00 3 Degrees + 3 Transcripts (3 different degrees, corresponding transcripts) – $850.00 qualifications are better understood

48. It gets even better Birth, Marriage or Death Certificate $120.00 Premium/Platinum Package $2500.00 (includes Passport, valid citizenship (your choice of 8 countries), birth, and marriage certificates, Visa or MasterCard, Utility Bills, Lease agreement(s) and Bank Account) Gold Package $1500.00 (includes citizenship – your choice of 3 countries, passport, birth, and marriage certificates, utility bills, lease agreement(s), MasterCard and Bank Account) Silver Package $1000.00 (Includes citizenship – your choice of 3 countries, passport, birth and marriage certificates) qualifications are better understood

49. Institutions Source: Allen Ezell April 2007 qualifications are better understood

50. Degree Mills - Accreditation In order to operate as a successful degree mill, accreditation is necessary. Reputable accreditation agencies and ministries of education cannot be approached, leaving the prospective degree mill with 4 choices: • Lie • Pay bribes • Gain accreditation from a body that does not provide accreditation • Invent an accreditation agency qualifications are better understood