National & European Frameworks of Qualifications – Emerging Trends Seán Ó Foghlú, National Qualifications Authority

1. National & European Frameworks of Qualifications – Emerging Trends Seán Ó Foghlú, National Qualifications Authority of Ireland 13 September 2004

2. Overview of presentation • Overview of Bologna developments • National frameworks • Overarching framework • Links with related developments • Way Forward

3. Bologna DeclarationOverview • Aim for the establishment of the European area of higher education • The achievement of greater compatibility and comparability of the systems of higher education • Concrete measures needed

4. Bologna DeclarationCycles • Adoption of a system essentially based on 2 main cycles initially (1999) • Undergraduate • Graduate • Third cycle agreed in Berlin (2003)

5. Berlin Communiqué • Member States to elaborate a Framework of comparable and compatible qualifications for their higher education systems . . . • Elaborate an overarching framework of qualifications for the EHEA • Shorter higher education linked to the first cycle . . . • Perspective of LLL

6. National Frameworks of Qualifications A qualifications framework is an instrument for the development and classification of qualifications according to a set of criteria for levels of learning achieved. The scope of frameworks may be comprehensive of all learning achievement and pathways or may be confined to a particular sector for example initial education, adult education and training or an occupational area. All qualifications frameworks establish a basis for improving the quality, accessibility, linkages and public or labour market recognition of qualifications within a country and internationally. OECD

7. Purpose of National Frameworks I • Promote the attainment of qualifications nationally and internationally • Clarify the various national roles and relationships between qualifications and the opportunities, recognition and mobility that are possible. • Make explicit the purposes and aims of qualifications • Facilitate and support learners and clarify all the educational opportunities available to them

8. Purpose of National Frameworks II • Delineate points of integration and overlap between different qualifications and qualification types • Improve access and social inclusion • Provide a nationally agreed framework that guides and reflects the agreement of stakeholders • Facilitate the reform of awards to reflect changing societal needs, including the introduction of new awards.

9. Elements of National Frameworks • Learning outcomes, including competences • Level/cycles • Typical/generic qualifications • Workload and credits • Profile • Link to national quality assurance system

10. Development of National Frameworks • Key stakeholder involvement • Consensus building • National initiative

11. Qualifications Frameworks In place • UK, Scotland • Ireland • Denmark Development underway • Hungary • Sweden

12. Qualifications • Qualifications are national following national legislation • European qualifications don’t exist as EU legislation on education is not permitted in the treaty • A European framework is different from a national framework

13. Purpose of European framework • Linking national frameworks together • Transparency • Mobility for students & graduates • Recognition of international awards • Facilitate European co-operation in programme provision • A single European labour market

14. Elements of European framework • 3 Cycles • Intermediate Levels, short cycle? • Cycle/level descriptors? • Credit linkage - How? • Outcomes based • Generic & not subject specific

15. Ownership of European framework • Ministers to meet every 2 years until 2010 (at least) • Ministers to jointly own • No super-structure/agency under consideration

16. Bologna Project • Helsinki seminars 1+2 on Masters degrees • Copenhagen 1+2 seminar on Frameworks of qualifications • 2 seminars on recognition • National experiences • Joint Quality Initiative (3 Dublin descriptors) • UK seminar on learning outcomes

17. Frameworks Working Group • Formally Established March 2004 • To draft report by end 2004 • Considered at Copenhagen conference in January 2005 • Working group to report to Bologna follow-up group in February 2005

18. Emerging Working Group Report – I • Setting a context • National frameworks • National experiences • Purpose • Key elements • lessons

19. Emerging Working Group Report – II • Proposal for a Framework for Qualifications for the European Higher Education Area • Purpose • Key elements • How the European framework will be relevant to the individual • Linking beyond higher education

20. Second Copenhagen Seminar • 13-14 January 2005 • Rapporteur General: Sjur Bergan (Council of Europe) • Representatives from all Bologna countries and advisory organisations

21. Other Links • Many national frameworks include more than higher education • Schooling • Vocational education & training – Copenhagen Declaration • Recognition Directives • Wider European Policies

22. Schooling • Practice of entering first cycle programmes directly from school, with school awards • Range of standards & diversity of programmes associated with leaving school • European Higher education framework to recognise practice but can only be for higher education awards

23. Copenhagen Declaration – November 2002 • Enhanced co - operation in Vocational education and training • Transparency, information & guidance • Recognition of competences and qualifications • Recognition of need to link with Bologna process

24. Copenhagen Declaration:Recognition of competences and qualifications • Reference levels for vocational education & training being developed • Credit transfer system being developed links to ECTS • Next step – Maastricht meeting of Ministers, December 2004

25. European Policies on Professional Recognition • EU Directives • on professional recognition (DG Internal Market) • Process underway to put in place a single instrument • Single professional recognition qualifications framework is being put in place

26. Wider European Policies • Linking Copenhagen & Bologna framework developments • Dublin Conference March 2004 • Research • Aiming towards a single qualifications framework for lifelong learning at European level • Likelihood of developments in Autumn 2004 • Link to Lisbon process • Make European education and training a ‘world quality reference’ by 2010

27. Developments in Ireland • Single National Framework of Qualifications • Framework worked to recognition of international awards • National Reference Point • National Academic Recognition Information Centre • Transparency developments • Europass

28. The National Framework of Qualifications – award-types and awarding bodies

29. Way Forward - I • Much effort and analysis has been put in • Commitments of Higher Education Ministers to national frameworks and European frameworks now made • Commitments of Vocational Education & Training Ministers to national frameworks and European frameworks anticipated in December 2004

30. Way Forward - II • Many national developments underway across Europe and increasing coherence • Overarching framework for Higher Education to be in place in May 2005 • Vocational education and training levels to be in place in December 2004 • Towards a single European set of understandings within which qualifications remain national responsibility • Increasing mobility & recognition