The Bologna Processand the

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

Dr Gillian MackintoshHead of Registry

Background

• Intergovernmental process aiming to create European Higher Education Area by 2010

• Aims to create comparability and compatibility between diverse systems and institutions in Europe to:

i. enhance staff and student mobility

ii. increase international competitiveness of European Higher Education

System of Credits

• Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

– National system for defining qualifications in terms of entry/exit points, progression and credit requirements

• European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

- Initially introduced to facilitate recognition in Erasmus

- 1 ECTS credit = 2 AU (SCQF) credits

Three Degree Cycle

• Substantial change for much of Europe

• EHEA Qualifications Framework

• Bachelors Degree

– 180-240 ECTS credits & minimum of 3 years

• Masters Degree

- 90-120 ECTS credits

• Doctoral Degrees

- Link between EHEA and European Research Area

Diploma Supplement

• To aid mobility through facilitating better understanding and transparency of degrees

• Standard description of nature, content, level, context and status of award.

Quality Assurance

• Seen as vital for (i) enhancing co-operation between HEIs in Europe and (ii) promoting international competitiveness of European HE

• Common European standards for QA with common reference points

• European Register of Quality Agencies being established

Mobility

• Both staff and student

• Issue for the UK – 79% of UK institutions have more incoming than outgoing students as compared to 29% in European HEIs

• Challenges

– language issues

– Finance

– curriculum comparability

• Report from CIHE states that many of the big recruiters are looking for graduates who have a global experience

Joint Degrees

• The Bologna process through the establishment of the European Higher Education Area seeks to promote inter-institutional co-operation within Europe.

• The strands of Bologna such as qualifications frameworks, common degree structures and quality assurance will help facilitate this.

• Opportunities for Joint Degrees – e.g. Erasmus Mundus

Other Action Lines

• Lifelong learning

• Social dimension

• Role of students

Advantages

• Bologna brings some challenges but has the potential of providing a number of advantages:

• Enhanced mobility

• International dimension

• Employability

• Global competitiveness

Issues for Curriculum Reform

• Degree length

- Do we consider adopting the Bologna model of 3 + 2?

• Student mobility

- How do we enhance student mobility?

- Should we look to use the ‘extra year’ to provide such opportunity?

• Joint degrees

- Should we look at the opportunities this might provide in terms of a more global experience for our students?