qualifications are better understood

qualifications are better understood

Recognition in the Modern World– future best practice

ACTT International Conference onQuality Assurance in Higher Education30 April – 3 May 2013Trinidad and Tobago

Tim ButtressDeputy DirectorMarketing & CommunicationsUK NARIC


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.


UK NARIC – services for individuals

40K + enquiries a year

50:50 split between education and employment

Statement of ComparabilityFast Track

CertificateEnglish Language AssessmentCareer Path Report



FE UG PG Grad Emp Occ Emp Prof Emp0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 (ytd)



SoC Cert ELA CPR -

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012


UK NARIC – services for organisations

Organisations

850 members

HEIs, Professional Bodies, Careers Guidance organisations, employers, local and central Government, education bodies etc.

Online DatabasesMember EnquiriesTrainingConferenceCounter FraudeCataloguesNewslettersConsultancy and Research



39% - HE

27% - FE

2% - CG

7% - PB

6% - EO

8% - EB

1% - GL

2% - GC 1% - LS 2% - RT 4% - OT

Higher Education - HE

Further Education - FE

Careers & Guidance - CG

Professional Bodies - PB

Education Other - EO

Education Bodies/Agencies - EB

Government - Local - GL

Government - Central - GC

Legal Services - LS

Recruitment - RT

Other - OT



2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 -

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

600,000

620,000

640,000

660,000

680,000

700,000

720,000

740,000

Member Enqs DB Page Views


The Concept of Recognition

Professional Mobility

Qualification Frameworks

Quality Assurance

Core Credential Evaluation

Criteria

Academic Mobility

Recognition

Transparency and

Information Provision


Individuals

Professional Bodies

FE and HE institutions QAA

CANQATE

ENQAQuality

Assurance Bodies

Other government / education

agenciesENIC

- NARIC Network

Thematic Steering Groups

Recognition Agencies:UK NARIC

Recognition

European Area of Recognition

National Action Plans

ENIC-NARIC Network

NARICs

Lisbon Recognition Convention


Not just academic

ECTS

Europass -Diploma

Supplement

European Higher

Education Area

Bologna Declaration

ECVET, EQF

Europass – Certificate

Supplement

ET 2020

Copenhagen Declaration

HE TVET


Towards a European Area of Recognition

Transparency

Harmonisation and Transferability

Best Practice in Recognition

Europass

ENIC-NARIC Network

National Action Plans – Implementing and Improving National Action Plans

European Area of Recognition

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

European Qualification FrameworkEuropean Credit system for VET (ECVET)

Mutual recognition of QA

ENQA

ENIC-NARIC Network


Transparency

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

Promoting mobility through Europe by removing barriers to working, studying or training

• Europass CV• Diploma Supplement• Certificate Supplement• Language Passport• Europass Mobility


Harmonisation and Transferability The European Qualification Framework for

Lifelong Learning

England

Level 8

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Entry Level 3

Entry Level 2

Entry Level 1

France

Level 1+

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

EQF

Level 8

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1


Harmonisation and Transferability

The European Qualification Framework for Lifelong Learning

The EQF should not replace credential evaluation but support it.

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 qualificationEnglandQCF Level 3

GCE AS and A Level

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) level 3

Functional Skills Level 3 (England only)

EQF Level 4

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

FranceCertifications de niveau 4

Titre Professionnel: Gouvernante Fall on broadly the same

level of the EQF but:• different purpose• different content• different structure• different general learning

outcomes


Best Practice in Recognition

ENIC – NARIC Offices

Contributions from a range of ENIC-NARIC bodies

including UK NARIC

European Area of

Recognition

Manual for consistent best practice with

practical recommendations for

use in recognition offices

information provision; accreditation; quality assurance; the Diploma Supplement; qualification frameworks; credit systems and transfer; substantial differences, transnational education


Assessing qualificationsQualification 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


Assessing qualifications

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:QCF_common_English_and_Welsh_qualifications.jpg


Assessing qualificationsBand

Band Descriptor Comparison Statement

Entry level

Qualifications focussing on basic skills and knowledge to enable individuals to actively participate in familiar environments. Simple, directed tasks can be completed under appropriate supervision

• Comparable to Entry levels 1, 2, 3 / SQA Access 1, 2, 3 units / SQA Access 2 and 3 National Courses / Foundation level Standard Grade / SQA Awards at SCQF levels 1, 2, 3 standard

• Comparable to SQA National Certificate at SCQF levels 2 and 3 / SQA National Progression Award at SCQF levels 2 and 3 standard




1 Qualifications demonstrating basic knowledge of a specific subject or discipline. Straightforward tasks can be completed under appropriate supervision

• Comparable to GCSE (grades D-G) / General Standard Grade standard

• Comparable to VGCSE (grades D-G) standard / Intermediate 1 standard

• Comparable to N/SVQ level 1 standard

• Comparable to SQA National Certificate at SCQF level 4 / SQA National Progression Award at SCQF level 4 standard

• Comparable to SQA Award at SCQF levels 4 standard




14

Qualifications that reflect the ability to develop original ideas and concepts in a highly specialised area. Work undertaken at this level is at the very forefront of the chosen discipline and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in that area.

• Comparable to British Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) standard

• Comparable to SQA Professional Development Award (SCQF level 12) standard




15

Qualifications that recognise higher achievement in academia, where recorded.

• Comparable to British Post Doctoral standard and above


Recognising the whole

CreditsHE

qualifications

TVET

Skills & experience

Professional qualifications

Secondary qualificationsLanguage

tests


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”


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 benchmarksIdentification of the professional award type and sectorSourcing information relevant to the professional qualification Analysis of the professional qualification using UK NARIC evaluation criteria Benchmarking the qualification to the UK NARIC Band FrameworkValidation and verification of benchmarked level

Professional Body’s view

European Directive 2005/36/EC


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


Skill & experience

Recognising non-formal learning

Supporting evidence

Training, managed activities

Europass Mobility documentation

Skills Passport

ReferNet Policy Impact Reporting


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


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


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


Credits & QCF


What employers what

Graduate recruiters, graduates and careers professionals

AttitudeSkillsWork experienceQualification

Also

300K graduates from UK HEIs every year

78 applications for each graduate job


Standing out from the crowd


Portfolio Management

Academic

Professional

Skills

Language proficiency

Non-formal Learning


Education fraud

How do you know whether a qualif ication is legitimate?

Who should you consult?

What is education fraud?

Education fraud

Who commits fraud?

Gene Morrison'Bogus forensic expert bought degree on web' Manchester Evening News


Stein BaggerDanish Entrepreneur of the YearDenmark's best IT-company

Abdul Pirzada'Fake doctor jailed over CV l ies ‘

BBC Dec 2012

AcademicsWhen 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 posit ions in South Korea. This includes a pianist who is said to have received over US$2 mill ion 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 authorit ies. The acquittals have now been deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court because the accused were appointed on the basis of the evidence of qualif ications they submitted as if they had genuinely been obtained in Russia.

Q A A I n t e r n a t i o n a l N e w s l e t t e r N o v 2 0 0 9

h t t p : / / j o o n g a n g d a i l y. j o i n s . c o m / a r t i c l e / v i e w. a s p ? a i d =2 9 1 2 3 0 4


AcademicsWhen 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 posit ions in South Korea. This includes a pianist who is said to have received over US$2 mill ion 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 authorit ies. The acquittals have now been deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court because the accused were appointed on the basis of the evidence of qualif ications they submitted as if they had genuinely been obtained in Russia.

Q A A I n t e r n a t i o n a l N e w s l e t t e r N o v 2 0 0 9

h t t p : / / j o o n g a n g d a i l y. j o i n s . c o m / a r t i c l e / v i e w. a s p ? a i d =2 9 1 2 3 0 4


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


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 affi l iated bodies• Offer to accredit l ife experience• Links such as ‘Order Now’ and ‘free evaluation forms’

are often found at the lower end of the market• Unlikely degree tit les• No contact address• Contact details that differ from claimed location of the

institution


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!


My favourite!


http://www.superiorfakedegrees.com/

Degree or Diploma Certif icate – $230.00 (includes two copies of degree cert if icate) Degree or Diploma Transcripts – $250.00 (includes two copies of degree transcripts)

Degree Cert if icate and Transcripts Package – $380.00 (includes 2 copies of degree or diploma certif icate along with 2 copies of transcripts) You Save Over 20%!

2 Degrees + 2 Transcripts (2 different degrees, corresponding transcripts) – $600.00


It gets better


Degree or Diploma Certif icate – $230.00 (includes two copies of degree cert if icate) Degree or Diploma Transcripts – $250.00 (includes two copies of degree transcripts)

Degree Cert if icate and Transcripts Package – $380.00 (includes 2 copies of degree or diploma certif icate along with 2 copies of transcripts) You Save Over 20%!



It gets better



Birth, Marriage or Death Certificate $120.00

Premium/Platinum Package $2500.00 ( i nc ludes Passpor t , va l i d c i t i zensh ip (your cho ice o f 8 coun t r ies ) , b i r t h , and mar r iage ce r t i f i ca tes , V isa o r Mas te rCard , Ut i l i t y B i l l s , Lease ag reemen t (s ) and Bank Accoun t )

Gold Package $1500.00 ( i nc ludes c i t i zensh ip – you r cho ice o f 3 coun t r ies , passpor t , b i r t h , and marr iage ce r t i f i ca tes , u t i l i t y b i l l s , lease agreement (s ) , Mas te rCard and Bank Accoun t )

Silver Package $1000.00( I nc ludes c i t i zensh ip – your cho ice o f 3 coun t r ies , passpor t , b i r th and mar r iage ce r t i f i ca tes )

It gets even better

Institutions

Source: Allen Ezell April 2007qualifications are better understood

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

Degree Mills - Accreditation


Combating fraud

Red flags

Lack of official stampSignaturesMisalignmentSpelling mistakesVariety and types of fontsPaper qualityHand writingUnlikely degree titlesInconsistent terminology


Genuine


Fake


Genuine or Fake


Genuine or Fake?


Fake 1

Fonts


Fake 2

Spacing


Fake 3

Wording


Genuine or Fake?

Name


Fake


Name


MOOCs

Massive Open Online Courses

Large-scale interactive participation and open access via the internet

Coursera, edX, MITx, Udacity and Wedubox

As of December 2012 the US platforms (Coursera, edX, and Udacity) offered around 230 MOOCs from 40 US based HEIs to over 3 million students.

cMOOC – emphasising a connectivist philosophyxMOOC – resembling more traditional and well-financed courses


MOOCs, Quality and Recognition

UK NARIC principles based on “if accredited then normally we recognise irrespective of delivery”

• the status of the awarding institution• the standing of the qualification within the country's education system• the entrance requirements in the country of origin• the duration of a course of study• a review of the course structure• a consideration of course content• an analysis of method of study• the assessment method.

MOOCs, Quality and RecognitionHowever, for MOOCs do these still hold true?

Criteria Meets current criteria?the status of the awarding institution

/?

the standing of the qualification within the country's education system

/?

the entrance requirements in the country of origin

/? /the duration of a course of study

/? /a review of the course structure

/? /an analysis of method of study

?/the assessment method. ?/


UK NARIC

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.

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