1. Verification of compatibility NQF and Bologna
Bryan Maguire
Higher Education & Training Awards Council, Ireland
Strasbourg, November 10, 2009

2. Verifications to date Ireland – 2006 Scotland – 2006
Netherlands – 2009
Flanders – 2009
Germany – 2009
England, Wales & Northern Ireland – 2009

3. Self-certification methodology
Ireland and Scotland
Extended public consultative process with small national steering supported by 2 international experts; report combines description and evaluation
England, Wales and NI
Compact consultative process with large national panel (19) with 4 international experts; report combines description and evaluation
FL-NL
Hearings by small panel (5) with 3 internationals; national self-presentation with evaluative panel commentary and advice
Germany
National steering group (7) including 2 internationals; report combines description and evaluation

4. Issues arising Descriptor compatibility
Recognition & progression evidence
Stage of implementation
Stakeholder support
Quality assurance implementation/integration
“Off-cycle” qualifications
Recognition of prior learning

5. EQF-LLL Referencing Many similar features
“Referencing” rather than “Verification”
“not incompatible” with FW-EHEA
Very varied national approaches to NQF and to integration of HE into NQF
Hence varied approaches to referencing/verification
Two processes overlapping – Ireland
Two processes – England
One process – Malta