Bologna Process in Finland(Observations on the Bologna Process in Russia)

Dr. Carita BlomqvistHead of Unit Recognition and international comparability of qualifications

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Focus

• Degree structures/cycles• Types of higher education institutions• Credits• Transparency tools: Diploma Supplement

and National Qualifications Framework• Quality Assurance• Discussion on similarities/differences

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Implementation in Finland: Cycles

• Higher education: universities and polytechnics • Both award Bachelor and Master degrees • Two-cycle degree system (Bachelor + Master) was

adopted by Finnish universities in 2005. Bachelor degree had existed also before, but earlier it was not compulsory for a student to take the degree.

• At polytechnics, Master degrees became permanent in 2005 after a trial period. Before that, only Bachelor degrees had existed.

• Third cycle refers to the doctoral studies. Doctoral degrees are awarded only by universities.

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Russia: degrees and diplomas

• Higher education: universities, academies and institutes (also parallel sector of municipal higher education establishments)

• Intermediate diploma: at least 2 years • Bakalavr diploma: 4 years• Specialist diploma: 5 years • Magistr diploma: 2 years • Doctoral programs: kandidat nauk (3 years), doktor

nauk (min. 5 years after kandidat nauk)• Non-university level tertiary/post-secondary

education: 2- 5 years

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Implementation in Finland: credits

• In higher education studies have been measured in credits since the 1970s

• The adoption of the ECTS system, first as a tool in student exchange and international co-operation, was easy

• In 2005 (legislation): a new credit system which is fully compatible with the ECTS system was adopted both at universities and polytechnics

• The workload for one study year is 60 credits (approximately 1600 hours of student work)

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Implementation in Russia: credits

• New Federal Government Standards of Higher Professional Education: under these standards, clearly defined credit units are awarded to all qualifications

• Bakalavr: 240 credit units• Specialist diploma: 300 credit units• Magister: 120 credit units• Credit units used only in new standards

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Transparency Tools: Diploma Supplement (DS)• Higher education institutions adopted the DS early:

in 1995 legislation required that HEIs issue DS on request to their graduates

• Since 2005 HEIs issue DS automatically, free of charge, and in English

• DS corresponds to the EU/Council of Europe/ UNESCO format

• ENIC/NARIC provides support, training and national instructions as well as co-ordinates updating the “Information on the national higher education system”

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Annex to the Diploma in Russia

• Some similarities to the Council of Europe/UNESCO model, but not identical

• Lacking from the Russian model: level, program requirements/learning outcomes, grading, information about access to next levels and information on the national higher education system

• Supplements can be given in a foreign language, but there is no legislative basis

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Transparency Tools: National Qualifications Framework

• Proposal for Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) in 2005: 1st cycle, 2nd cycle and 3rd cycle degrees and their descriptors

• 2008 the Ministry of Education appointed a national committee to prepare a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) describing all qualifications and other learning. The HEQF proposal was integrated in the proposal for the NQF.

• Proposal for the legislation was submitted to the Parliament in 2012

• Proposal: 8 levels (similar to the European Qualifications Framework), national perspective

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Academic recognition of foreign qualifications in Finland

• Lisbon Recognition Convention, LRC (Council of Europe/UNESCO) has been ratified and it came into force in 2004

• Compliance between the LRC and national legislation received thorough review

• Higher education institutions have the competence (make decisions) concerning access and admissions

• There are centralized student admission services to support higher education institutions

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Academic recognition of foreign qualificationsRussia• Lisbon Recognition Convention, LRC (Council of

Europe/UNESCO) has been ratified and it came into force in 2000

• Recognition system and process is centralized (no distinction between academic and professional recognition)

• Some higher education institutions (appr. 30) will have an opportunity to make decisions concerning recognition of foreign qualifications from September 2013 onwards

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Quality Assurance in Finland

Quality assurance at higher education institutions• Main responsibility for quality and continuous improvement of

education • Establishment of QA system• Regular participation in external evaluations and audits;

results are publicMinistry of Education and Culture:• Steering• Decision-makingFINHEEC/Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council:• Audits of QA systems of higher education institutions:

assesses whether the quality system of a higher education institution is fit for purpose and functioning and whether it complies with the agreed criteria

• Other (thematic) evaluations

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Quality Assurance in Russia

• The state educational standard: Set of nationally recognized requirements laid down by

the State which determines a mandatory minimum for the contents of educational programs, the maximum work loads assigned to students, as well as general course loads and requirements to be met by graduated

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Quality Assurance in Russia/Process

• LicensingAssessment of the compliance of educational facilities, laboratory

equipment, expertise of teaching staff, and teaching materials with state requirements and the issuing of a duly worded authorization. Licensed institution is granted the right to carry out educational programs in relevant fields of study and at corresponding levels of education.

• State accreditationFormal recognition of the status of an education establishment by

the state according to its type and kind (college, institute, academy, university), confirmation of education programs level and quality of graduates’ preparation relative to the state educational standards. The accreditation procedure includes both a self-evaluation and a peer review. State accreditation is applicable to state educational establishments and to private institutions. Accreditation allows the institution to issue state recognized diplomas.

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Evaluation of the Bologna Process implementation in Finland/FINHEEC

• Evaluation of the degree reform (2011)• The implementation of the Bologna Process in

Finland from an international perspective (2012)

Main results: • Fully achieved: ECTS, polytechnic Master (different

profile from university Master)

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Evaluation of the Bologna Process implementation in Finland/FINHEEC

Main results: • Partly achieved: two-cycle degree structure, the

status of university Bachelor, implementation of the Master's Degree Programs, increasing domestic and international mobility, defining the scope of studies to better reflect the actual workload of students, strengthening the competence-based approach

• Unachieved: reducing total study times

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Thank you for your attention!

More information about Finland:

www.minedu.fi

www.oph.fi/recognition

www.kka.fi