The Framework of Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area

Azerbaijan Seminar

Baku, 12th June 2007

Stuart Garvie

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland

Qualifications Framework: BergenWe adopt the overarching framework for qualifications in the EHEA, comprising of three cycles (…), generic descriptors for each cycle based on learning outcomes and competences, and credit ranges in the first and second cycle.

We commit ourselves to elaborate national frameworks for qualifications compatible … by 2010, and to having started work on this by 2007

Work Programme 2005-7

Self-certification: 2 pilot projects (Ireland + Scotland)

Survey of definitions of credits in national legislation (?)

Advice to Stocktaking

Follow the development of the EQF-LLL (descriptors)

Provide assistance to member states on NQF

Basic

Qualifications are national according to national legislation

Qualifications are articulated/located in national

qualifications frameworks

The 45 national frameworks are linked together through an

alignment to an overarching framework of the EHEA

Framework for EHEA

The EHEA framework is an overarching framework; a meta-

framework or a framework for frameworks

Not all national qualifications will correspond to the

completion of the major cycles in the overarching framework

Why overarching framework ?

International transparency

International recognition of qualifications

International mobility of learners and graduates

45 national frameworks and a European framework of frameworks

EHEA-framework

PL DK Irl Fr De etc

Overarching framework

Cycles

Descriptors of qualifications and learning outcomes

Credit ranges in ECTS

NQF and Bologna Framework Bologna-Framework

Self certification

National Qualifications Framework

Accreditation or similar

National qualifications

Alignment of NQF to the EHEA framework

No external control but trust building

Minimum criteria for the verification that a NQF are

compatible with the EHEA framework

Procedures for self-certification of compatibility

Role of Quality Assurance

Criteria for verification - 1

The NQF and the body/bodies responsible for its

development are designated by the national ministry for HE

There is a clear and demonstrable link between the

qualifications in the NF and the cycle qualification

descriptors of the European framework

The NF and its qualifications are demonstrably bases on

learning outcomes and the qualifications are linked to ECTS

credits

Criteria for verification - 2 The procedures for inclusion of qualifications in the NF is

transparent

The NQA for HE refer to the NQF and are consistent with the

Berlin communiqué and any subsequent communiqués

agreed by ministers in the Bologna Process

Diploma Supplement

The responsibilities of the domestic parties to the NF are

clearly determined and published

Procedures for self-certification - 1

The competent national body/bodies shall self-certify the

compatibility of the NF with the European framework

The self-certification process shall include the stated

agreements of the QA-bodies of the country in question

recognised through the Bologna Process

The self-certification process shall involve international

experts

Procedures for self-certification - 2 The self-certification and the evidence supporting it shall be

published and shall address separately each of the criteria set

out

ENIC/NARIC shall maintain a public listing of States that have

completed the self-certification process

Diploma Supplement

All signatories will complete the self-certification process 2010

Verification of compatibility with Bologna framework

Ireland is the first country to complete self-certification

steering committee – Qualifications Authority, awarding bodies (Higher Education and Training Awards Council, universities, Dublin Institute of Technology), plus two international experts, established February 2006

draft report for consultation published, June 2006

information sheet on European framework developments, Sept 2006

stakeholder workshop, October 2006

completed, November 2006

Verification report Verification of criteria (7)

Verification of procedures (6)

Appendix 1: Comparison of the Dublin descriptors with the award-type descriptors in the Irish National Framework of Qualifications

Appendix 2: Analysis of non-outcomes issues which are relevant to verifying the compatibility of the Irish Framework with the Bologna Framework

Report published – see www.nqai.ie

London Communiqué 18 May 2007

Qualifications frameworks are important instruments in achieving compatibility and transparency within EHEA.

Help HEIs to develop programmes of study based on learning outcomes

Initial progress made, more effort required

Full implementation affirmed by 2010

London Communiqué 18 May 2007(cont)

Council of Europe requested to support sharing of experience

National qualifications frameworks compatible with

EHEA also compatible with EQF

EHEA Framework central element of promotion of

European higher education in a global context

Draft EQF levels

EHEA Framework (Bologna) NFQ Levels NFQ Major Award-types

1 1 Level 1 Certificate

2 Level 2 Certificate

2 3 Level 3 Certificate, Junior Certificate

3 4 Level 4 Certificate, Leaving Certificate

4 5 Level 5 Certificate, Leaving Certificate

5 Short Cycle within First Cycle 6 Advanced Certificate (FET award); Higher Certificate (HET award)

6 First Cycle 7 Ordinary Bachelors Degree

8 Honours Bachelor Degree, Higher Diploma

7 Second Cycle 9 Masters Degree, Post-Graduate Diploma

8 Third cycle 10 Doctoral Degree, Higher Doctorate

Further Information

Framework website: www.nfq.ie

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland: www.nqai.ie

Higher Education and Training Awards Council:

www.hetac.ie