Qualification Frameworks and Credit - Articulation with Europe

1. Qualification Frameworks and Credit- Articulation with Europe Bob Johnson Commissioner for Credit Rating European Council for Business Education Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

2. Bologna Educational Revolution Bologna process – 46 countries + inter-governmental process…… creating the EHEA by 2010 Huge European Commission educational reform programme All about mobility, recognition, efficiency, competitiveness and attractiveness of European HE Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

3. The EHEA • Common concepts and educational language • Developing shared understandings and values • A European higher education quality culture? • Improved recognition and mobility (qualifications + citizens) • Comparable academic standards and structures • Transparent information for stakeholders, etc. • Improved higher education systems, qualifications + competitiveness + efficiency Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

4. The new European educational architecture is almost complete Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

5. Competitiveness, knowledge economy, growth + employment, Commission communication on modernising higher education. EIT proposals VET + ECVET Lifelong learning EQF and level descriptors+ common principles for validation of non/informal learning The new European educational architecture is almost complete Professional Recognition (regulated and non-regulated) EHEA (cycle descriptors) Qualifications frameworks Quality Assurance Mobility & Recognition tools Learning Outcomes (Tuning) Credits Qualifications Convention + Diploma Supplement (EUROPASS) + ENIC-NARICS Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

6. Dangers … possible misunderstandings and over-complication! COMPOSED OF 45+ NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS BY 2010 ECTS? Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

7. Qualifications Frameworks Bologna and qualifications frameworks – A framework for qualifications of the EHEA European Commission European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong learning (EQF) ECTS v EVECTS Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

8. A Framework for qualifications of the EHEA • Overarching Framework • Cycles based on the generic Dublin Descriptors • First Cycle 180-240 ECTS credits (3-4 years) • Second Cycle 90-120 ECTS credits (1-2 years)- minimum 60 at second cycle level • A Third Cycle Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

9. European Issues • University Autonomy • Qualifications Framework • Credit Framework • Quality Assurance • Recognise all Learning Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

10. European Issues1 University autonomy • State Legislation • Qualifications structure • Admissions • AP(E)L / WBL • Curriculum and content • Interpretation of Bologna • Saving money • Saving resources • Compliance ( words not spirit?) Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

11. European Issues2 Qualifications • Why not Q and C Framework (cf Scotland)? • UK Qualifications: European issues Short cycle programmes Ordinary degree Integrated Masters 1 year Masters programme European Masters lead into Doctorate Professional Doctorates Graduate certificates/Diplomas Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

12. European Issues3 Credit • Number Notional Learning Time v Contact Time Hours per Credit!! Outcome Assessment – interpretation within the programme vs post qualification • Level ECTS: not yet ( 2008 being revised) Credit Levels Descriptors v Qualification LDs • Standards Assessments v ILOs? Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

13. European Issues4 Quality Assurance • Internal Monitoring Managerial Student and staff feedback Assessments, marking schemes and ILOs Quality assurance reports Second markers External examiners • ENQA Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

14. ENQA: European Network of Quality Assurance The objectives decided in Berlin in September 2003 were • National Quality Assurance bodies • Institutions: • to develop own quality culture • policies, strategies and systems adapted to own situation and ambition. • satisfy the expectations of their partners, communities and stakeholders. • external evaluation is a condition of the credibility of the results of the internal evaluation Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

15. European Issues5 Recognising all learning • APL Allowed in many countries but rarely practised • APEL Illegal in most countries, • WBL Illegal in most countries, even work-based assignments… Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

16. European Regional Qualification Frameworks eg. South East Europe (SEE)Objectives • Universities in the SEE - future oriented • Universities - essential force in building social and cultural capital - qualifications and employability • Universities - should explain the qualifications they award • Social and financial validation of qualifications. Setting standards – implementing “new style” higher education qualifications framework: Characteristics; Purposes of qualifications; Types; • Public confidence and understanding • HEI – to design new education offerings • Changes in mindset, policies and cooperation. Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

17. European IssuesSummary • Learner v. Academic Staff • Outcomes v. Inputs • Recognising ALL Learning • Workload & Notional Learning Time • Internal Audit Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008

18. European Issues - some links to reports • www.ond.kaaderen.be/hogerondderwijs/bologna/qf/qf.asp • www.bologna-bergen2005.no/Docs/00-Main_doc/050520_Bergen-Communique.pdf • www.eaie.nl/pdf/krakow/workshop17.pdf • www.ec.europa/education/programmes/socrates/ects/index.en.html Bob Johnson, ECBE, SEEC 11 Nov 2008