Dr Bryan Maguire IADT

1. Implementing the National Framework of Qualifications, 24 & 25 February, 2005, GalwayThe Framework and the Bologna Process Dr Bryan Maguire IADT

2. The Qualifications Act and the International Dimension “The Authority … shall … inform itself of practices outside the State in respect of matters relevant to its functions”

3. Bologna in the development of the National Framework • “The Authority will be aware and informed of international developments, and will establish linkages to all relevant external systems. … These include the Bologna Process for higher education and the emerging broad understanding of some award-types in that regard” • Policies and criteria for the National Framework of Qualifications, April 2002

4. International consultation in framework development - I • International participation in consultation conference (Feb 2002) • Authority (& HETAC) participation in Joint Quality Initiative (2001-2005) • Frameworks of qualifications: A review of development s outside of the State • Working Paper, June 2002

5. International consultation in framework development - II • Bilateral consultations, particularly with neighbouring jurisdictions • Participation in the Irish Bologna Steering Group

6. Developments in Higher Education in Europe • 1988 Magna Charta Universitatum • 1998 Sorbonne Declaration: Harmonisation of the architecture of the European Higher Education System • 1999 Bologna Declaration: European Area of Higher Education, to be achieved by 2010

7. Bologna Declaration • Not an international treaty; not an EU instrument • A commitment by European countries to reform their higher education systems to achieve convergence • Goal: a European Area of Higher Education • Action plan: the Bologna “process”

8. Bologna Process I • Prague Communiqué, June 2001 • Berlin Communiqué, Sept 2003 • Bergen Meeting, May 2005 • Seminars, conferences, national committees and reports • Tuning Project (EUA), Joint Quality Initiative, Quality Assurance (ENQA) • http://www.bologna-bergen2005.no/

9. Bologna Process II • Easily readable and comparable degrees; Diploma Supplement • System of Credits: building on ECTS • Promotion of mobility • European dimension • Quality assurance • Curricular / Institutional co-operation

10. Copenhagen (March 2003) • Bologna Seminar on Qualification Structures in European HE • Irish keynote address • Recommended national frameworks and an overarching framework

11. Berlin September 2003 • Ministers encourage the member states to elaborate a framework of comparable and compatible qualifications for their higher education systems, which should seek to describe qualifications in terms of workload, level, learning outcomes, competences and profile. • They also undertake to elaborate an overarching framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area.

12. Framework for Qualifications of the EHEA - status • Developed by working group, with expert consultants, in 2004-05 in response to request of the ministers at Berlin • Endorsed by Seminar in Copenhagen in January 2005 • Currently under consideration by the Bologna Follow-up Group for recommendation to the ministers at Bergen in May 2005

13. Principles • Qualifications are a matter of national policy and law • Framework for the EHEA is an overarching “framework of frameworks” • EHEA framework will not cover all the features required in national frameworks

14. Purpose of EHEA framework • International transparency • International recognition • International mobility • Assist in identifying points of articulation between national frameworks

15. EHEA Framework • Three main cycles (& short cycle) • Short cycle (within or linked to first cycle) • First cycle • Second cycle • Third cycle

16. Learning outcomes • Key conceptual development • Descriptors of learning outcomes, including competences • Generic end-of-cycle outcomes

17. Dublin Descriptors • knowledge and understanding; • applying knowledge and understanding; • making judgements; • communications skills; • learning skills.

18. Credits • European credit transfer system guidelines • 60 credits = one year FTE • All awards should be linked to ECTS • Detailed credit arrangements a national matter

19. ECTS • Short cycle (within or linked to first cycle) • 120 approx • First cycle • 180-240 • Second cycle • Min 60, normally 90-120 • Third cycle • Usually not credit bearing

20. Linking frameworksNational => European • Criteria • Procedures for self-certification

21. Criteria for national frameworks • Ministerial designation • Based on learning outcomes • Bologna-compatible QA arrangements • Diploma supplement referenced • Qualifications linked to descriptors • Published responsibilities

22. Procedures • Self-certification by competent authority • Process evidence published • Relevant national QA agreement • International dimension to certification process • ENIC/NARIC maintain listing of the self-certified • Diploma supplement note

23. Diploma supplement • Description of what student has achieved • Expected for 2005 - Ireland • Implementation linked to student information systems • http://europass.cedefop.eu.int/

24. Quality Assurance • European Network of Quality Assurance Organisations (ENQA) & EUA, EURASHE, ESIB • Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area • Report February 2005 to BFUG

25. ENQA report - I • There will be European standards for internal and external quality assurance, and for external quality assurance agencies. • European quality assurance agencies will be expected to submit themselves to a cyclical review within five years. • There will be an emphasis on subsidiarity, with reviews being undertaken nationally where possible.

26. ENQA report - II • A European register of quality assurance agencies will be produced. • A European Register Committee will act as a gatekeeper for the inclusion of agencies in the register. • A European Consultative Forum for Quality Assurance in Higher Education will be established.

27. Recognition of qualifications • National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) • Now housed in NQAI • National Reference Point (NRP) • Also at NQAI – vocational qualifications • Lisbon Recognition Convention

28. Overarching framework of qualifications • Qualifications not just about higher education • Irish national framework includes other levels (such as school and further education), so do some others • Group J today is considering the framework and the Copenhagen Process • European framework of qualifications

29. Recommendation from Copenhagen Seminar, Jan 2005 that higher education institutions as well as students and their organizations • continue to contribute, as active stakeholders, to the development and maintenance of national framework of qualifications as well as the overarching framework for qualifications of the European Higher Education Area; • ensure that the national framework of qualifications, and any alignment with the overarching framework for the EHEA, be referenced in all Diploma Supplements; • make use of learning outcomes at the level of modules or units as well as at the level of qualifications.

30. Implications • Ireland is in good shape, structurally, to meet this aspect of the Bologna process • Further work required to ensure full implementation at institutional level and in our quality assurance and awarding bodies • Continue to develop and review the framework