QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN THE EUROPEAN HIGHER IN THE EUROPEAN HIGHER

EDUCATION AREAEDUCATION AREA Meeting of national QF correspondentsMeeting of national QF correspondents

Council of Europe, Strasbourg, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, November 9 – 10, 2009November 9 – 10, 2009

Sjur Bergan, Council of EuropeSjur Bergan, Council of Europe

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 QFs mentioned for the first time:But QFs mentioned for the 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)(adopted in Bergen 2005)

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 ((original deadline 2010original deadline 2010))

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

WHAT IS A QUALIFICATION?WHAT IS A QUALIFICATION?

QualityQuality Workload/efforts (credits)Workload/efforts (credits) LevelLevel ProfileProfile Learning outcomesLearning outcomes

QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKQUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

How qualifications fit together within and between systemsHow qualifications fit together within and between systems

Description of all qualifications in a given (higher) Description of all qualifications in a given (higher) education systemeducation system

Description of how these qualifications articulateDescription of how these qualifications articulate Description of how learners can move between Description of how learners can move between

qualifications within a systemqualifications within a system Description understandable to informed foreignersDescription understandable to informed foreigners Description of learning outcomesDescription of learning outcomes

An instrument to describe and make sense of diversityAn instrument to describe and make sense of diversity

QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK?QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK?

FRAMEWORKS AND FRAMEWORKS AND FRAMEWORKFRAMEWORK

National frameworkNational framework closest to the operational closest to the operational

realityreality owned by national systemowned by national system ultimately determines what ultimately determines what

qualifications learners will qualifications learners will earn earn

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

Overarching frameworkOverarching framework facilitates movement facilitates movement

between systems between systems face of “Bologna face of “Bologna

qualifications” to the rest of qualifications” to the rest of the world 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 limits” developed (“outer limits” for diversity)for diversity)

OVERACHING FRAMEWORKSOVERACHING FRAMEWORKS

Bologna (QF-EHEA)Bologna (QF-EHEA) Adopted 2005Adopted 2005 46 countries46 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 Overseen by BFUG and WG QFsWG QFs

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 Overseen by EQF

Advisory Group and the Advisory Group and the European CommissionEuropean Commission

GOOD NEWSGOOD NEWS

Close cooperation between the two overarching frameworks

The two frameworks are compatible even if the wording is not identical

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

Both frameworks have formal membership but are also examples of good practice that all can use

BOLOGNA QF GROUPBOLOGNA QF GROUP

Assist countries if and as neededAssist countries if and as needed– On requestOn request

Stimulate European and regional activitiesStimulate European and regional activities– South East Europe an example of good practiceSouth East Europe an example of good practice

Disseminate informationDisseminate information Develop cooperation with EQF-LLLDevelop cooperation with EQF-LLL Bologna web site for QFBologna web site for QF Gain an overview of developments at national levelGain an overview of developments at national level Not infringe on the authority and responsibility of countries Not infringe on the authority and responsibility of countries

for their own QFsfor their own QFs Not develop new standardsNot develop new standards

COUNTRIESCOUNTRIES

Responsible for the development of their own QFsResponsible for the development of their own QFs– But need to convince their partnersBut need to convince their partners

Consider the relationship of their NQFs to both Consider the relationship of their NQFs to both overarching frameworks overarching frameworks

Provide information on the development of their Provide information on the development of their QFQF– National QF correspondentNational QF correspondent– Web siteWeb site– Self certification reportSelf certification report

NQF: STAGES OF DEVELOPMENTNQF: STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

1. Decision to start 1. Decision to start 2. Setting the agenda 2. Setting the agenda 3. Organizing the 3. Organizing the processprocess4. Design Profile4. Design Profile5. Consultation 5. Consultation 6. Approval 6. Approval

7. Administrative set-up7. Administrative set-up8. Implementation 8. Implementation 9. Inclusion of 9. Inclusion of

qualifications qualifications 10. Self-certification 10. Self-certification 11. NQ web site11. NQ web site

STATE OF DEVELOPMENTS NQFs I (from STATE OF DEVELOPMENTS NQFs I (from the stocktaking report)the stocktaking report)

STATE OF DEVELOPEMNT OF NQFs IISTATE OF DEVELOPEMNT OF NQFs II(from the stocktaking report)(from the stocktaking report)

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

Learning outcomesLearning outcomes Qualifications frameworks and quality Qualifications frameworks and quality

assuranceassurance Qualifications frameworks and recognitionQualifications frameworks and recognition Stakeholder involvementStakeholder involvement Self certificationSelf certification Meeting the deadline without rushing undulyMeeting the deadline without rushing unduly

(Speed (Speed andand quality) quality)

WEB SITESWEB SITES

Bologna QF web siteBologna QF web site http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwihttp://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwi

js/bologna/qf/qf.aspjs/bologna/qf/qf.asp

Council of Europe HE siteCouncil of Europe HE site http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereducation/Defhttp://www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereducation/Def

ault_en.aspault_en.asp

EQF siteEQF site http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learninhttp://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learnin

g-policy/doc44_en.htmg-policy/doc44_en.htm