Verification of compatibility NQF and Bologna Bryan Maguire Higher Education & Training Awards Council, Ireland Strasbourg, November 10, 2009

Verifications to date Ireland – 2006 Scotland – 2006 Netherlands – 2009 Flanders – 2009 Germany – 2009 England, Wales & Northern Ireland – 2009

Self-certification methodology Ireland and Scotland Extended public consultative process with small national steering supported by 2 international experts; report combines description and evaluation England, Wales and NI Compact consultative process with large national panel (19) with 4 international experts; report combines description and evaluation FL-NL Hearings by small panel (5) with 3 internationals; national self-presentation with evaluative panel commentary and advice Germany National steering group (7) including 2 internationals; report combines description and evaluation

Issues arising Descriptor compatibility Recognition & progression evidence Stage of implementation Stakeholder support Quality assurance implementation/integration “Off-cycle” qualifications Recognition of prior learning

EQF-LLL Referencing Many similar features “Referencing” rather than “Verification” “not incompatible” with FW-EHEA Very varied national approaches to NQF and to integration of HE into NQF Hence varied approaches to referencing/verification Two processes overlapping – Ireland Two processes – England One process – Malta