The Challenges of Joint Programmes The View of the Universities Tia Loukkola 10 June, 2010

…2… Introduction to EUA Membership organisation of 850 members: universities and national rectors conferences in 46 countries Mission: To ensure that universities have the means to fulfill their three-fold public mission (research, teaching and service to society) Activities: Policy development, projects, membership services, research and publication Active in EU and in a wider Europe: Unique overview of different processes that take place at different levels

…3… EUAs Work in QA Institutional Evaluation Programme since 1994 Policy work: E4 co-operation with ESU, ENQA and EURASHE since 2001 ESG (European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in HE) EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register in HE) Projects: Quality Culture, 2002 – 2006 Creativity project, 2006 – 2007 Quality Assurance for the Higher Education Change Agenda (QAHECA), 2008 – 2009 Examining Quality Culture in European Higher Education Institutions, 2009 – 2011 European Quality Assurance Forum, 2006 –

…4… EUA Work in the Field of Joint Programmes EUA Joint Masters Project (2002 – 2004) EMNEM – European Masters New Evaluation Methodology 2006 Guidelines for Quality Enhancement in European Joint Masters Programmes EUA Survey on Master Programme in Europe Policy work For example as regards to the external QA arrangements, recognition of qualifications

…5… Some results from Trends 2010 survey I Does your institution offer joint programmes with other institutions in a different country? Yes, there are examples of joint programmes in all cycles 19% Yes, there are examples of joint programmes in the second cycle (master) 42% Not yet, but some departments are planning joint programmes 30% No, we do not see the need for joint programmes 3%

…6… Some Results from Trends 2010 survey II Does your institution offer joint programmes with other institutions in your country? Yes, with institutions that are similar to ours (e.g., if you are a university, your joint programme is with other universities) 57% Yes, with higher education institutions that are different from ours (e.g., if you are a university, your joint programme is with a polytechnic, further education college) 31% No, we do not see the need for joint programmes 21%

…7… Master Survey in Europe Most joint programmes second cycle programmes Increasing in numbers Course coordination challenging, not less due to incongruent national legislations on variable entry points credit weighting Workloads learning outcomes Variety of forms, at times strong element of ad hoc compromise and approximation

…8… Principles for QA of Joint Programmes Same principles as for regular provision Main responsibility lies within HEI(s) European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) apply Primary goal of QA processes should be to enhance quality But some additional challenges do exist

…9… Joint Programme: From Planning to Action Shared understanding What are we doing? Why are we doing this? Language question Decision-making and levels of responsibility What is decided at the level of network What at the level of subject What at the level of each institution Quality Assurance and Recognition

…10… Internal QA of a Joint Programme Com- mit- ment Outline Aims Concept Self- eva luation Joint Ana lysis Impro ving

…11… Quality Related Questions Aims and objectives Concept Programme Implementation: Tools Decision-Making Processes Organisation Resources Staff Financial resources Administration Organisation of admissions and transitions Quality assessment Programme Sustainability

…12… External QA of Joint Programmes EUA promotes institutional audits or evaluations rather than programme accreditation Balance between internal and external QA processes Avoiding additional bureaucracy EUA supports arrangements that facilitate mutual recognition of external QA decisions

…13… To conclude Joint Programmes are a challenging form of provision, but can be rewarding if well planned EUA publications and further information available at