QUALIFICATIONS QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN EUROPEFRAMEWORKS IN EUROPE

Regional Ministerial meetingRegional Ministerial meeting

Strasbourg, November 22 – Strasbourg, November 22 – 23, 201223, 2012

Sjur Bergan, Council of EuropeSjur Bergan, Council of Europe

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

QUALIFICATIONS IN THE EHEAQUALIFICATIONS IN THE EHEA

Two (later three) tier degree structure (1999, Two (later three) tier degree structure (1999, 2003)2003)

Role of the first degree in the labor market (1999)Role of the first degree in the labor market (1999) Recognition (1998 and later)Recognition (1998 and later) MobilityMobility EmployabilityEmployability But Qualifications Frameworks mentioned for the But Qualifications Frameworks mentioned for the

first time:first time:• Bologna conference in March 2003 in KøbenhavnBologna conference in March 2003 in København• Berlin Communiqué 2003Berlin Communiqué 2003

MINISTERS IN BERGEN 2005, MINISTERS IN BERGEN 2005, LONDON 2007 AND LEUVEN 2009LONDON 2007 AND LEUVEN 2009

We have an overarching framework We have an overarching framework (adopted in Bergen 2005) of three cycles (adopted in Bergen 2005) of three cycles with the possibility of intermediate with the possibility of intermediate qualifications in national frameworksqualifications in national frameworks

We will develop national frameworks We will develop national frameworks compatible with the EHEA framework and compatible with the EHEA framework and prepared for self certification by 2012 prepared for self certification by 2012 ((Leuven changed deadlineLeuven changed deadline))

This is a steep challenge and we need This is a steep challenge and we need continued coordination even if QFs are continued coordination even if QFs are ultimately a national responsibilityultimately a national responsibility

QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS DESCRIBEDESCRIBE

How qualifications fit together within and between systemsHow qualifications fit together within and between systems All qualifications in a given (higher) education systemAll qualifications in a given (higher) education system How these qualifications articulateHow these qualifications articulate How learners can move between qualifications within a How learners can move between qualifications within a

systemsystem Learning outcomesLearning outcomes All of the above in ways that make them understandable to All of the above in ways that make them understandable to

informed foreignersinformed foreigners

QF: an instrument to describe and make sense of QF: an instrument to describe and make sense of diversitydiversity

FRAMEWORKS AND FRAMEWORKS AND FRAMEWORKFRAMEWORK

National frameworkNational framework closest to the closest to the

operational realityoperational reality owned by national owned by national

systemsystem ultimately determines ultimately determines

what qualifications what qualifications learners will earn learners will earn

describe the describe the qualifications within a qualifications within a given education given education system and how they system and how they interlink interlink

Overarching Overarching frameworkframework

facilitates movement facilitates movement between systems between systems

face of “Bologna face of “Bologna qualifications” to the qualifications” to the rest of the world rest of the world

provides the broad provides the broad structure within which structure within which national qualifications national qualifications frameworks will be frameworks will be developed (“outer developed (“outer limits” for diversity)limits” for diversity)

OVERACHING FRAMEWORKSOVERACHING FRAMEWORKS

Bologna (QF-EHEA)Bologna (QF-EHEA) Adopted 2005Adopted 2005 47 countries47 countries Higher education onlyHigher education only 3 levels with possibility for 3 levels with possibility for

intermediate qualifications intermediate qualifications in national frameworksin national frameworks

Overseen by BFUG and WG Overseen by BFUG and WG QFs, coordinated by the QFs, coordinated by the Council of EuropeCouncil of Europe

National correspondentsNational correspondents

EQF Lifelong learningEQF Lifelong learning Adopted 2008Adopted 2008 32 countries32 countries All levels of education in a All levels of education in a

lifelong learning lifelong learning perspectiveperspective

8 levels8 levels Overseen by EQF Advisory Overseen by EQF Advisory

Board and the European Board and the European CommissionCommission

National Coordination National Coordination PointsPoints

THE COMMITMENTTHE COMMITMENT

Develop NQFs by 2012 and Develop NQFs by 2012 and prepare them for self prepare them for self certificationcertification

ACHIEVEMENTSACHIEVEMENTS

Most countries seem to be on their way to Most countries seem to be on their way to meeting the target – or almostmeeting the target – or almost

QFs “the only game in town” (Europe and QFs “the only game in town” (Europe and world)world)

Excellent cooperation QF-EHEA – EQFExcellent cooperation QF-EHEA – EQF The two overarching frameworks are The two overarching frameworks are

compatible even if the wording is not compatible even if the wording is not identicalidentical

It is entirely possible to develop national It is entirely possible to develop national frameworks compatible with both frameworks compatible with both overarching frameworksoverarching frameworks

SELF CERTIFICATIONSELF CERTIFICATION

The “calling card” for your systemThe “calling card” for your system Procedure and document by which you Procedure and document by which you

convince others that your QF is compatible convince others that your QF is compatible with the QF-EHEAwith the QF-EHEA

Respond to the “check list” of criteria and Respond to the “check list” of criteria and procedures outlined by Bologna WGprocedures outlined by Bologna WG

Include national stakeholders and foreign Include national stakeholders and foreign expertsexperts

Being open about problematic issues Being open about problematic issues strengthens credibilitystrengthens credibility

QFs IN BUCUREŞTI QFs IN BUCUREŞTI COMMUNIQUÉCOMMUNIQUÉ

Finalize NQFs: increase efforts and draw Finalize NQFs: increase efforts and draw on the experience of otherson the experience of others

Develop common understanding of levelsDevelop common understanding of levels School leaving qualifications a particular School leaving qualifications a particular

challengechallenge Short cycle qualifications in the QF-EHEAShort cycle qualifications in the QF-EHEA Implementation of learning outcomesImplementation of learning outcomes Link different structural reformsLink different structural reforms

SOME NATIONAL SOME NATIONAL CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

Make the fairly general European Make the fairly general European frameworks concreteframeworks concrete

Define learning outcomes at subject levelDefine learning outcomes at subject level Communicate to broader publicCommunicate to broader public Communicate with stakeholdersCommunicate with stakeholders Ensure coherence between the different Ensure coherence between the different

parts of the education systemparts of the education system

QUALIFICATIONS QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN EUROPEFRAMEWORKS IN EUROPE

WEB SITESWEB SITES

Bologna QF web siteBologna QF web site http://www.ehea.info/article-details.a

spx?ArticleId=65

EQF siteEQF site http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelon

g-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm Council of Europe HE siteCouncil of Europe HE site http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereduca

tion/Default_en.asp