1 The Irish Experience Dr. Norma Ryan Director, Quality Promotion Unit University College Cork- National University of Ireland Cork Sarajevo 5 th December 2011

2 Content of presentation Brief biography Norma Ryan Irish Higher Education System Legislation Universities/Institutes of Technology IUQB Institutional review ( accreditation/evaluation) Review of study programmes National Framework of Qualifications Alignment of Irish NFQ to other Frameworks Irish Universities Association Irish Higher Education Quality Network Changes to legislation 2012 References

3 Dr. Norma Ryan Biochemist Director, Quality Promotion Unit, UCC Irish National Bologna Expert Past-Chair of Irish Higher Education Quality Network Member of University Management Team Member of Governing Authority Member of Senate of National University of Ireland

4 UCC A University located in the South of Ireland, with 19,000+ students, and one of the highest annual research income of all the Irish Universities Has a particular focus on delivering Fourth Level Ireland (graduate studies) and lifelong learning

5 Mission To create, preserve, and communicate knowledge and to enhance cultural, social and economic life locally, regionally and globally. VISION To be a research-led university of international standing with impact in Munster, Ireland, Europe and the world

6 Ireland Has a binary system for higher education Publicly funded: –7 universities –14 Institutes of Technology Private providers: –Colleges –No private universities allowed by law

7 7 Universities Act 1997 Legislation covering all Irish Universities Autonomy Quality Assurance Strategic Planning

8 University Accreditation All Irish universities accredited by act of parliament Do not undergo regular re-accreditation Do undergo regular institutional evaluations Individual Programmes not accredited outside the institution except for professional degrees e.g. engineering, medicine

9 National Agenda In 2003 Irish Universities Association published: A Framework for Quality in Irish Universities In 2007 second edition published Principles outlined in Framework compatible with the ESG for Quality Assurance in Higher Education

10 Institutes of Technology Overseen by statutory body: HETAC Higher Education Training Awards council Accredited every 5 years Cannot award degrees without specific ‘Delegation of Authority’ to do so from HETAC Reviewed at institutional level by HETAC Limited in autonomy

11 Private Colleges Can apply for accreditation of programmes by HETAC Can apply for an institutional review

12 IUQB Irish Universities Quality Board Established in 2003 by Irish Universities Independent body charged with review of effectiveness of QA procedures Conducts and organises institutional reviews Affirms alignment with ESG (European Standards & Guidelines)

13 Institutional Review Every years Panel appointed by IUQB Secretary appointed by IUQB Secretary a full member of board, trained by IUQB - not personnel of IUQB

14 Report All members of review panel contribute to writing of report All members agree report before it is finalised Final draft of report is sent to institution for comment, especially on factual content, before finalisation of report and submission to IUQB HEI pays all costs; costs decided by IUQB

15 Accreditation of study programmes Criteria established by UCC Very specific and published on web site Market research evidence Module details External peer review of programme Details of accreditation published on web site

16 Accreditation of third cycle (PhD) As for first and second cycle Criteria established by UCC Very specific and published on web site Market research evidence Programme details External peer review of programme Details of accreditation / approval process published on web site

17 Third Cycle PhD Professional Doctorate Practitioner Doctorate

18 Irish NFQ National Qualification Framework All programmes in all public institutions aligned with a level on the Framework First National Framework to be developed

19 Why Qualifications Frameworks? A tool for fostering transparency, flexibility and mobility of learners On the national level: need for systematic articulation and navigation between qualifications Overarching (European) qualifications frameworks: serve as translation device

20 Keep in mind: - Individual qualifications do not directly relate to overarching qualifications frameworks (only via national qualifications frameworks or systems) – Qualifications Frameworks have to be generic and multi-purpose

21 Qualification Framework for the EHEA ECTS Credits Learning OutcomesCycles QF for EHEA Doctorate Master Bachelor (?) Normally 90 – 120 (Minimum 60) Min. 3 years

22 EQF - LLL European Qualification Framework for Lifelong Learning Eight levels covering different forms of learning including basic learning, Vocational Education & Training, Higher Education, informal learning, etc. Learning outcomes/Descriptors: –Knowledge –Skills –Competences

23 EQF No measure of workload (not a credit system) Level 6 – 8: Descriptors “correspond” to Dublin Descriptors in QF for EHEA Recommendation from the European Commission to the European Council & Parliament

24 EQF Level 1 EQF Level 2 EQF Level 3 EQF Level 4 EQF Level 5 EQF Level 6 EQF Level 7 EQF Level 8 Qualification Country A Country B Qualification

25 The Eight EQF Levels Each EQF Reference Level KnowledgeSkills Wider personal and professional competences

26 Focus on Learning Outcomes EQF Learning Outcomes Non-Formal Learning Formal Learning Informal Learning

27 QF for the EHEA vs. EQF for Lifelong Learning QF for EHEA EQF for Lifelong Learning 45 Bologna countries25 (EU) countries Geographical scope Adopted by 45 ministers in Bergen, 2005 Not yet adoptedStatus3 Bologna cyclesEight levels Levels/ Cycles Learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors), ECTS Learning outcomesElements Higher educationLifelong learning Educational scope

28 NFQ – award-types and awarding bodies

29 Irish NFQ First NFQ to be aligned with the EHEA Framework (Bologna Framework) First NFQ to be aligned with European Qualification Framework

30 IUA Irish Universities Association All 7 Universities members Meets 4 times per year – different groupings –Presidents –Directors of Quality –IUA Quality Committee –Work together for good of sector

31 IHEQN: Irish Higher Education Quality Network Universities Institutes of Technology Government Department of Education & Skills Private Colleges Union of Students of Ireland Higher Education Authority IUQB HETAC

32 IHEQN provides a forum for the discussion of quality assurance / quality improvement issues amongst the principal national stakeholders involved in the quality assurance of higher education and training in Ireland Produces guidelines and principles for the ‘Quality Agenda’ in HE in Ireland agreed by all

33 Universities and Employers Universities aim to have close links with employers –Advisory Boards –Views sought in quality reviews –Market research prior to establishment of new programmes of study –Work placement as part of study programmes

34 National HE Strategy ‘Hunt’ report Commissioned by Government Sets out principles and actions for HE sector in Ireland for next 10 years.

35 Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011 Draft Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training ) Bill, The proposed legislation provides for a new single national agency, Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland (QQAI), replacing FETAC, HETAC, NQAI and IUQB. It is anticipated that QQAI will be established in mid-2012 Will cover all HE institutions in Ireland for Quality assurance and accreditation

36 Web sites ec.europa.eu/education/higher- education/doc1290_en.htm

37 Thank you