1. QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN EUROPE
Regional Ministerial meeting
Strasbourg, November 22 – 23, 2012
Sjur Bergan, Council of Europe

2. BACKGROUND

3. QUALIFICATIONS IN THE EHEA
Two (later three) tier degree structure (1999, 2003)
Role of the first degree in the labor market (1999)
Recognition (1998 and later)
Mobility
Employability
But Qualifications Frameworks mentioned for the first time:
Bologna conference in March 2003 in København
Berlin Communiqué 2003

4. MINISTERS IN BERGEN 2005, LONDON 2007 AND LEUVEN 2009
We have an overarching framework (adopted in Bergen 2005) of three cycles with the possibility of intermediate qualifications in national frameworks
We will develop national frameworks compatible with the EHEA framework and prepared for self certification by 2012 (Leuven changed deadline)
This is a steep challenge and we need continued coordination even if QFs are ultimately a national responsibility

5. QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS DESCRIBE
How qualifications fit together within and between systems
All qualifications in a given (higher) education system
How these qualifications articulate
How learners can move between qualifications within a system
Learning outcomes
All of the above in ways that make them understandable to informed foreigners
QF: an instrument to describe and make sense of diversity

6. FRAMEWORKS AND FRAMEWORK
National framework
closest to the operational reality
owned by national system
ultimately determines what qualifications learners will earn
describe the qualifications within a given education system and how they interlink
Overarching framework
facilitates movement between systems
face of “Bologna qualifications” to the rest of the world
provides the broad structure within which national qualifications frameworks will be developed (“outer limits” for diversity)

7. OVERACHING FRAMEWORKS
Bologna (QF-EHEA)
Adopted 2005
47 countries
Higher education only
3 levels with possibility for intermediate qualifications in national frameworks
Overseen by BFUG and WG QFs, coordinated by the Council of Europe
National correspondents
EQF Lifelong learning
Adopted 2008
32 countries
All levels of education in a lifelong learning perspective
8 levels
Overseen by EQF Advisory Board and the European Commission
National Coordination Points

8. THE COMMITMENT
Develop NQFs by 2012 and prepare them for self certification

9. ACHIEVEMENTS
Most countries seem to be on their way to meeting the target – or almost
QFs “the only game in town” (Europe and world)
Excellent cooperation QF-EHEA – EQF
The two overarching frameworks are compatible even if the wording is not identical
It is entirely possible to develop national frameworks compatible with both overarching frameworks

10. SELF CERTIFICATION The “calling card” for your system
Procedure and document by which you convince others that your QF is compatible with the QF-EHEA
Respond to the “check list” of criteria and procedures outlined by Bologna WG
Include national stakeholders and foreign experts
Being open about problematic issues strengthens credibility

11. QFs IN BUCUREŞTI COMMUNIQUÉ
Finalize NQFs: increase efforts and draw on the experience of others
Develop common understanding of levels
School leaving qualifications a particular challenge
Short cycle qualifications in the QF-EHEA
Implementation of learning outcomes
Link different structural reforms

12. SOME NATIONAL CHALLENGES
Make the fairly general European frameworks concrete
Define learning outcomes at subject level
Communicate to broader public
Communicate with stakeholders
Ensure coherence between the different parts of the education system

13. QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN EUROPE

14. WEB SITES Bologna QF web site
EQF site
Council of Europe HE site