Joint degrees in Europe Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Conference

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: Methodology JD/MD questionnaire (answers from 31 educational systems) Additional information search modified JD questionnaire to Tuning project networks joint degrees’ consortia (30 answers). Stockholm seminar on Joint degrees Individual consultations with Bologna follow-up gr. members, ENICs, etc.

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: Master degrees Dominant trend - towards Master level degrees that require 300 ECTS credits Suggested definition of a Master in the EHEA: normally 300 credits, of which: at least 60 at graduate level and in the appropriate area This would allow for: - Bachelor Master 120 credits ; - Bachelor Master credits (of which up to 30 or 60 may be waived) credits Master (integrated progr.)

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: Master degrees Courses that are too short may find it very difficult, if not impossible, to get transferable accreditation when it is generalised in Europe. Differentiation between “academic” and “professional” Master degrees – some countries do and some don’t. Generel access requirement is Bachelor, but many countries allow access of equal qualifications and provide more bridges between the sectors of HE. ECTS and DS – being used or introduced in most countries Few HEI seek accreditation from foreign agencies, as national and regional are developing rapidly

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: curricula offered by institutions from different countries and leading to a recognised joint degree JD are relevant to Bologna objectives : joint quality assurance, recognition across the EHEA, transparency / convergence of HE systems, mobility, international employability, attractiveness. Most Bologna countries have started JD. more widespread at doctoral and Master’s level, ECTS widely used.

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: NATIONAL LEGISLATIONS NEED AMENDMENTS Very few countries legislate specifically for joint degrees Absence of legislation –does not prevent the establishment of joint programmes –but it may cause serious problems as regards: award of JD and their national-level recognition

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: No specific legislation = all national requirements should be met: students are not always allowed to enrol at several institutions, requirement to defend final thesis at home institution minimum period of study at national institution (often above 50%) regulations governing the text on degree certificates/ diplomas regulations regarding language of instruction (some countries)

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: How are joint degrees awarded? ‘real’ joint degree in the name of all partner institutions; several degree certificates from all partners; ‘double degree’, one degree in the name of the “home” institution with: –unofficial certificate from all partners, –notion of joint character in degere certificate or DS, –no notion at all

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: If one degree is awarded, there are several possibilities to indicate the joint character: unofficial joint certificate in addition to the national degree, degree certificate is also signed by partners, degree certificate notes clearly the joint developed programme and lists partner institutions, one normal degree certificate is awarded by a single institution in the partnership

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: National Recognition no problems when JD is a national qualification double awards: “the foreign one will be treated as any other foreign degree” ‘real’ joint degree: falls outside legal regulations International recognition no unknown problems while awarded as national qualification(s), a ‘real’ joint award is not “seen” by international legislation

Dr. Andrejs Rauhvargers, Secretary General, Latvian Rectors’ Council Report on the web: Recommendations National legislation should be amended to make award of JD possible International legislation should be amended to extend the scope of the Lisbon Convention to JD Common mechanisms for the quality assurance of joint degrees are needed JD in professional fields should be encouraged to ensure free movement of persons and European employability of graduates