TOWARDS AN ACCREDITED BLENDED MASTER IN EUROPEAN SOCIAL SECURITY: FEASIBILITY STUDY MAPPING THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES Draft findings gathered via questionnaire and comparative table Ljubljana, 6th June 2016

DURATION OF MASTER PROGRAMME KU Leuven 60 ECTS or a multiple factor of 60 As a exception: 30 ECTS or its multiple factor 1 or 2 years, also 3 semesters (when 90 ECTS) Minimum amount of ECTS for one course is 3 Existing Master of European Social Security comprises 60 ECTS.

University of Ljubljana From 60 to 120 ECTS 1 to 2 years Minimum amount of ECTS for one course is 4 ECTS.

University of Groeningen 60 or 90 ECTS 1 to 2 years No rules on minimum amount of ECTS for one course. Master courses comprise 6 ECTS at University of Groeningen.

Joint study programme / multiple degree programme Joint study programme is one programme that is accredited by all partner institutions. Therefore its duration and amount of ECTS is the same for all partner institutions. Multiple degree programme is a “system” of several study programmes, which are accredited individually. Therefore their duration and amount of ECTS may vary. Details The consortium agreement

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION At University of Ljubljana, Slovene is the language of instruction. The following may be conducted in a foreign language: -the study programmes of foreign languages; -parts of study programmes if visiting teachers from abroad are participating or if a larger number of foreign students are enrolled; -study programmes that are also conducted in Slovene; -common study programmes that are implemented by the University of Ljubljana in conjunction with a university from abroad on the basis of a special contract or agreement.

DISTANCE LEARNING Fully on-line study programmes are possible at KU Leuven, University of Groeningen and University of Ljubljana. Conditions for blended learning: guaranteeing quality learning environment University of Ljubljana: only as a part-time study

MOBILITY KU Leuven: joint study programme: no rules on min. or max. amount of ECTS for the student to acquire at other partner university multiple degree programme: at least 20 ECTS out of 60 (or at least 27 ECTS in other cases) at other partner institutions

MOBILITY University of Ljubljana: joint study programme: at least 30 ECTS or at least 25 % of ECTS at other partner university multiple degree programme: no rules on min. or max. amount of ECTS for the student to acquire at other partner university

RESIDENTIAL / VIRTUAL MOBILITY KU Leuven: engagement in the on-line studying at other partner institution counts as mobility University of Ljubljana: ?

THE CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT the “contract” between partner institutions sets the framework for the establishing and carrying out the study programme determines the manner of participation and coordination between partner institution

THE CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT For example, the agreement on joint study programme should contain especially data on the following: the accreditation procedure, the principles and methods of quality assurance, admission requirements for students, the use of teaching languages, financial obligations the contents and form of the diploma and the method of awarding diplomas, the diploma supplement, other mutual rights and obligations, special emphasis on the rights of students.

THE CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT The consortium agreement of multiple degree programme: which parts of the study programme will be carried out by which individual partner university. Draft of learning agreement Different procedures of validation of the agreement

ACCREDITATION Joint study programme: one programme accredited in all countries Multiple degree programme: the study programmes involved are accredited separately, independently Accreditation: institutional level / programme level

ACCREDITATION -procedures differs from country to country -common accreditation system for the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders) -complex and demanding

ACCREDITATION In Slovenia, the documentation that is part of the Accreditation Proposal of new study programme, inter alia includes: -The decision of the senate of the university or independent higher education institution on the proposed study programme; -Syllabuses; -At least three foreign recognised or accredited study programmes from different countries; -Proofs on higher education teachers, researchers and associates: proofs of valid election to titles for all lecturers (or of initiation of the procedure for re-election or subsequent election) in accordance with the Minimum Standards of the Agency (biographies, bibliographies, projects, patents, publications, awards, etc.), declarations of cooperation, agreements of employers by whom staff are employed; -Details of the total highest permissible direct and additional weekly teaching load;

In Slovenia, the documentation that is part of the Accreditation Proposal of new study programme, inter alia includes: -International cooperation plan; -The proofs of the established conditions for scientific, research, artistic or professional work; -The proofs relating to premises and equipment and a plan for the provision of the study programme; -Agreements or contracts with companies or other organisations and mentors therein on practical training of the anticipated number of enrolled students; -The quality manual; -The self-evaluation report of the institution if it already provides other accredited study programmes;

A site visit is compulsory in the case of the accreditation of a higher education institution. In the case of the accreditation of a study programme, a site visit shall be carried out when this is necessary for the purposes of complete assessment of the actual situation (if special equipment, laboratories, etc. are needed to provide the programme)."

The accreditation period The KU Leuven: -6 or 8 years -if quality evaluation shows certain shortcomings: 3 years

The accreditation period The University of Groeningen: -6 years -the improvements required have to be implemented in 1 year -the application for renewal of accreditation: 6 months before the expiration

The accreditation period The University of Ljubljana: -7 years -if quality evaluation shows certain shortcomings: 3 years -the application for renewal of accreditation: 1 year before the expiration

Specifics regarding the accreditation of joint study programmes KU Leuven: -the external review of the complete study programme or of the part of the programme which is organised by the foreign institutions can be replaced by one of the three options. One of them is an accreditation by another accreditation institution which has been recognised as equivalent by the Flemish accredidation institution. -the study programme funded by the European Commission (like Erasmus+ joint masters) is exempted from the government recognition procedure; temporary accreditation for the period of funding plus 2 years (max. 7 years)

Specifics regarding the accreditation of joint study programmes University of Ljubljana: -additional criteria; -a foreign higher education institution taking part in the joint study programme has been accredited or suitably recognised in the country in which it operates and has also commenced the procedure for the accreditation or recognition of the joint study programme in its own country;

Specifics regarding the accreditation of multiple degree programmes No common accreditation of study programmes that are included in the multiple degree programme, is required. No special information or application regarding the accreditation procedure is foreseen the consortium agreement Any new or already existing study programme may be included into the multiple degree progamme by the consortium agreement.

Specifics regarding the accreditation of blended and on-line study programmes At the KU Leuven, no specific provisions are foreseen for on-line study programmes or blended learning programmes with regard to the accreditation process. They will have to meet the same quality standards as the regular programmes. For the University of Ljubljana, the accreditation documentation has to include details on the parts of the programme that will be carried out remotely (with the use of IT) and have to demonstrate that the sufficient infrastructure and tools are guaranteed. The fulfillment of special requirements is carefully examined during the site visit.

The time framework of the accreditation procedute The KU Leuven estimates that the procedure takes 1,5 year or more if additional improvements are required. The University of Groeningen estimate it on 1 year to 1,5 year or more if additional improvements are required.

The accreditation procedure of a joint programme, especially international study programme, is more complex due to specific elements included:  more complex, more communication more time  differences in legal framework (national, institutional rules) More effort added value