QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN EUROPE Regional Ministerial meeting Strasbourg, November 22 – 23, 2012 Sjur Bergan, Council of Europe

BACKGROUND

QUALIFICATIONS IN THE EHEA Two (later three) tier degree structure (1999, 2003) Role of the first degree in the labor market (1999) Recognition (1998 and later) Mobility Employability But Qualifications Frameworks mentioned for the first time: Bologna conference in March 2003 in København Berlin Communiqué 2003

MINISTERS IN BERGEN 2005, LONDON 2007 AND LEUVEN 2009 We have an overarching framework (adopted in Bergen 2005) of three cycles with the possibility of intermediate qualifications in national frameworks We will develop national frameworks compatible with the EHEA framework and prepared for self certification by 2012 (Leuven changed deadline) This is a steep challenge and we need continued coordination even if QFs are ultimately a national responsibility

QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS DESCRIBE How qualifications fit together within and between systems All qualifications in a given (higher) education system How these qualifications articulate How learners can move between qualifications within a system Learning outcomes All of the above in ways that make them understandable to informed foreigners QF: an instrument to describe and make sense of diversity

FRAMEWORKS AND FRAMEWORK National framework closest to the operational reality owned by national system ultimately determines what qualifications learners will earn describe the qualifications within a given education system and how they interlink Overarching framework facilitates movement between systems face of “Bologna qualifications” to the rest of the world provides the broad structure within which national qualifications frameworks will be developed (“outer limits” for diversity)

OVERACHING FRAMEWORKS Bologna (QF-EHEA) Adopted 2005 47 countries Higher education only 3 levels with possibility for intermediate qualifications in national frameworks Overseen by BFUG and WG QFs, coordinated by the Council of Europe National correspondents EQF Lifelong learning Adopted 2008 32 countries All levels of education in a lifelong learning perspective 8 levels Overseen by EQF Advisory Board and the European Commission National Coordination Points

THE COMMITMENT Develop NQFs by 2012 and prepare them for self certification

ACHIEVEMENTS Most countries seem to be on their way to meeting the target – or almost QFs “the only game in town” (Europe and world) Excellent cooperation QF-EHEA – EQF The two overarching frameworks are compatible even if the wording is not identical It is entirely possible to develop national frameworks compatible with both overarching frameworks

SELF CERTIFICATION The “calling card” for your system Procedure and document by which you convince others that your QF is compatible with the QF-EHEA Respond to the “check list” of criteria and procedures outlined by Bologna WG Include national stakeholders and foreign experts Being open about problematic issues strengthens credibility

QFs IN BUCUREŞTI COMMUNIQUÉ Finalize NQFs: increase efforts and draw on the experience of others Develop common understanding of levels School leaving qualifications a particular challenge Short cycle qualifications in the QF-EHEA Implementation of learning outcomes Link different structural reforms

SOME NATIONAL CHALLENGES Make the fairly general European frameworks concrete Define learning outcomes at subject level Communicate to broader public Communicate with stakeholders Ensure coherence between the different parts of the education system

QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN EUROPE

WEB SITES Bologna QF web site http://www.ehea.info/article-details.aspx?ArticleId=65 EQF site http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm Council of Europe HE site http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereducation/Default_en.asp