ECTS and Recognition Dr. Anthony J Vickers The University of Essex, UK

Erasmus/Socrates/Bologna and I I started working in Erasmus in around In 1996 I became the University of Essex Institutional Socrates Coordinator until July In 2002 I became one of the EU ECTS/DS Counsellors. In 2004 I was appointed a Bologna Promoter. In 2005 I was appointed a Bologna Expert.

What is the way forward? Simply put it is to continue to provide high quality Higher Education based on sound pedagogical principles and transparent to scrutiny through Quality Assurance procedures. But how does the Bologna Process fit in? –Three cycles –Learning Outcomes –ECTS Credits and grades –Diploma Supplements

The basic principles of ECTS Credits are related to workload. The workload of an academic year = 60 ECTS credits. There is no standard definition of an academic year. In the Bologna process –a 1 st cycle degree = 180 ECTS credits. (nominally 3 academic years) –A 2 nd cycle degree = ECTS credits (nominally 1-2 academic years) –A 3 rd cycle degree is not yet defined in terms of credit

Studying Abroad If a student decides to take part of their 1 st,2 nd, or 3 rd cycle degree at another Institution within the Socrates framework then; –It is a good idea to have a collaborative agreement –A bilateral agreement must exist between the two Institutions. –A learning contract must be signed by both Institutions and the student prior to arrival at the Host Institution. –A transcript of the credits and grades must be provided by the Host Institution. –The credits and grades MUST be recognised by the Home Institution.

A collaborative agreement This document is usually signed once at the start of the partnership This document is the document that gives a mutual statement of quality assurance. –The Essex exampleThe Essex example

A bilateral agreement This document can be signed each year or agreed for a number of years. It states the detail of the exchange activities –The Essex exampleThe Essex example

A learning contract This document is to be agreed before the period of exchange. It has to be signed by representatives of both Institutions and the student. –The Essex modelThe Essex model

A transcript University of Essex Student NameAnthony Vickers Course Number Course Name Credit Local Grade ECTS Grade EE309 Optoelectronic devices for networks 7.573%A Signed: Date:

ECTS Grade Transfer Mechanism Home Grade (17/20) ECTS Grade (A) Host Grade (76%) 76% A=Top 10% 17 A=Top 10% A student in the top 10% of the class in the host Institution should transfer with a grade that places them in the top 10% of the home class.

Recognition What do you do with this transcript? –Tell the student to keep it as its not important to you. NO –Tell the student the transcript will be incorporated into their transcript issued by you. YES How would you do this? –What mechanism do you use currently? –Could you issue Diploma Supplements?Diploma Supplements –The UK DescriptionThe UK Description

Back to the way forward Where are we now? –The Bologna Process is happening. –ECTS is being advanced as an accumulation system. –Diploma Supplements are being introduced. –A rapid growth in the use and understanding of Learning Outcomes. Learning Outcomes –Well developed 2 nd cycle programmes with a credit value of ECTS credits. –A debate is underway regarding the 3 rd cycle.

The End