Bologna – a top-down and bottom-up process at the University of Helsinki? Markku Kivinen Director Aleksanteri-insitute

University of Helsinki 11 faculties 38,000 undergraduate students, 60,000 continuing education and Open University students 7,300 employees, 4,700 of whom researchers and teachers Operates on 4 campuses in Helsinki and in 20 other towns in Finland Aims at establishing its position among the leading multidisciplinary research universities in Europe

Branches in Finland HY-KALVOSARJA XI/03 STRATEGIA Campuses in Helsinki Helsinki

General aims of the Bologna Process Promotion of the European Higher Education Area Harmonisation of higher education in Europe Adoption of a two-cycle degree system Establishment of a system of credits (ECTS) Promotion of mobility Development of quality assurance systems for higher education Promotion of the transparency of education in Europe

– 2005 The Bologna process is seen more as a phase of a joint national analysis and evaluation of university degrees and curriculum than as a fundamental structural change. Many national networks and projects have worked together to develop and implement the new degrees programmes in Finland

the Bologna Process at the Universities in Finland Preparatory working group in the Ministry of Education 2002 Assessment of the study load and academic curriculum core analysis in faculties and departments Discipline-specific preparatory work in national coordination groups the Universities Act and Decree on degrees 2004 The new degree system since 1 August > focus on doctoral degrees

The national discipline-based co-ordination groups Networks in more 20 disciplines. The major groups in math and sciences humanities social sciences educational sciences and teacher education technical sciences laws economics psychology.

General features of the Bologna Process at the University of Helsinki Strategic Plan of the University of Helsinki The Programme for the Development of Teaching and Studies Evaluation on degrees and teaching (2002) The strategy for international activities The Ministry of Education provides project funding for reform work in the faculties and for co-ordination at the national level for The University of Helsinki has allocated its own special funding The Helsinki University Support Group for the reform of degrees (2003-)

Two-cycle model for basic degrees The two-cycled basic degrees will consist of the Bachelor’s degree (180 credits / 3 years) and the Master’s degree (120 credits / 2 years) The third cycle will consist of postgraduate studies (leading to a doctoral degree)

Alternatives for the structure of basic degrees Examples BA Ph.D. MA x x = working life / supplementary studies

Specific aims of the Bologna Process at the University of Helsinki The quality of degrees in the faculties will be enhanced The emphasis on research The Strategic Plan of the University The Master’s degree will be the primary aim, the Bachelor’s degree an interim aim The multidisciplinarity of degrees will be furthered Quality assurance systems will be further developed student feedback systems, follow-up of graduates, feedback from employers, the feedback systems will be used in the development of education

Duties of the Support Group Coordination of the reform Organization of cooperation between faculties Preparation of decisions of principle at the university level Guidelines, recommendations and scheduling of the reform Organisation of dissemination of information and training at the university level (www, in-house publications, visits to faculties and departments, best practices) Promotion of national and international cooperation relating to the reform of degrees Follow-up and promotion of the implementation

Composition of the Support Group Chair: Vice-Rector Hannele Niemi (responsible for academic affairs at the University) 7-8 members 2 student representatives 3 professors 1 senior assistant student office member at a faculty level Head of Academic Affairs not all faculties are represented A team of three administrators is responsible for the preparation of matters dealt with by the Support Group

Internal cooperation in the reform of a degree system Faculties

Internal cooperation in the reform of a degree system Faculties Support group

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure Faculties Network of Vice-Deans responsible for Academic Affairs Support group Network of faculties´Heads of Academic Affairs Academic Affairs Committees of faculties Degree Reform Network (40) Network of Deans

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure Faculties Network of Vice-Deans responsible for Academic Affairs Support group Rector´s Steering Committee Library Committee Network of faculties´Heads of Academic Affairs Academic Affairs Committees of faculties Degree Reform Network (40) Network of Deans Virtual University Committee Academic Affairs Committee

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure Faculties Network of Vice-Deans responsible for Academic Affairs Support group Faculty Councils Rector´s Steering Committee University Senate Library Committee Network of faculties´Heads of Academic Affairs Academic Affairs Committees of faculties Department Councils Degree Reform Network (40) Network of Deans Virtual University Committee Academic Affairs Committee

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure Faculties Network of Vice-Deans responsible for Academic Affairs Support group Faculty Councils Rector´s Steering Committee University Senate Library Committee Network of faculties´Heads of Academic Affairs Academic Affairs Committees of faculties Unofficial meetings and events Meetings betw. faculties & the support group Seminars, public events and traíning Department Councils Degree Reform Network (40) Network of Deans Virtual University Committee Academic Affairs Committee

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure Faculties Network of Vice-Deans responsible for Academic Affairs Support group National discpline-based coordination groups Faculty Councils Rector´s Steering Committee University Senate Library Committee Network of faculties´Heads of Academic Affairs Academic Affairs Committees of faculties Unofficial meetings and events Meetings betw. faculties & the support group Seminars, public events and traíning Department Councils Degree Reform Network (40) Network of Deans Virtual University Committee Academic Affairs Committee National working groups meetings, seminars, infromation sharing

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure Faculties Network of Vice-Deans responsible for Academic Affairs Support group National discpline-based coordination groups Faculty Councils Rector´s Steering Committee University Senate Library Committee Network of faculties´Heads of Academic Affairs Contact Persons for Specialists in ICT -based Education Academic Affairs Committees of faculties Unofficial meetings and events Meetings betw. faculties & the support group Seminars, public events and traíning Department Councils Degree Reform Network (40) Network of Deans Network of Experts of Educational Development& Research Virtual University Committee Academic Affairs Committee National working groups meetings, seminars, infromation sharing

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure Faculties Network of Vice-Deans responsible for Academic Affairs Support group National discpline-based coordination groups Faculty Councils Rector´s Steering Committee University Senate Library Committee Network of faculties´Heads of Academic Affairs Contact Persons for Specialists in ICT -based Education Academic Affairs Committees of faculties Unofficial meetings and events Meetings betw. faculties & the support group Seminars, public events and traíning Department Councils Degree Reform Network (40) Network of Deans Network of Experts of Educational Development& Research Virtual University Committee Academic Affairs Committee National working groups meetings, seminars, infromation sharing I Follow-up 2008 Auditing of Quality Assurance 2007

Policy decisions on studies at the HU Personal study plans to all students Minor subjects to be included in degrees (multidisciplinary) studies abroad to be recommended to be accepted as part of the degree programmes Teacher education as a part of the Bologna Process Pedagogical studies 60 credits (25+35) – MA gives a qualification Grading scales is standardised: 0-5 Students’ progress will be followed up regularly at checking points

More joint decisions… BA (180 credits) + MA (120 credits) Basic level studies 25 credits Intermediate level studies 60 credits (Min.) including thesis (6 credits) in the major subject Advanced level studies – research profile60-90 credits, Master’s thesis (40 credits) in the major subject Study guidance and orientation to studies1-3 credits it the B.A. 1-2 credits in the M. A. Orientation to working life (Appr.)3 credits in the B.A. A period of work placement at the Master’s level Language, communication & ICT (Min.)15 credits Obligatory (Web-based) ICT licence to all students

Transition period at the University of Helsinki Transition period: 3 years Students will be encouraged to adopt the new degree system as soon as possible. Flexible, student-friendly solutions will be given priority. Students may choose between the old and new systems. Communications Faculties distribute information on the reform and the transition process to their students, applicants and partners. University Communications provide the general public with information on the reform.

New multidisciplinary Master programs (Instruction in English) Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology Master’s Degree Programme in Bioinformatics Master’s Degree Programme in Atmospheric Sciences and Biogeochemical Cycles Master’s Degree Programme in Geoinformatics Master’s Degree Programme in Forest Sciences and Business

In addition to the above, several other programmes are being planned e.g. programmes in Computer Science Agriculture Food Technology Art Research Intercultural Communication European Studies Development Studies Ethnicity, etc. Some of the programmes are delivered jointly by the University of Helsinki and partner universities in Europe. Information on the programmes will be available on the web site of the University.