Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area

Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Simon Sweeney University of York, UK Bologna Expert Presentation at University of Reading 24 January 2013 With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 1

Bologna Process and the EHEA Council of Europe initiative Lisbon Recognition Convention 1997 European Council (European Union) 1999 Aim to establish the European Higher Education Area by 2010 Bologna Action Lines With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 2

Bologna Process 3 cycles (undergraduate, doctoral) for international comparison and equivalence Credit transfer principle Mobility/international exchange Compatible qualification frameworks Transparent quality assurance processes EHEA - a common frame of reference With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 3

Main tools of the Bologna Process • • • European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) Erasmus programme Erasmus for All Qualifications frameworks: compatibility with and between national frameworks (cf. EQF for LLL adopted by European Commission) Quality assurance mechanisms – European Network for Quality Assurance (ENQA) Recognition/transparency: Diploma Supplement (DS) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 4

Challenges facing UK HEIs Qualifications Framework for the EHEA Diploma Supplement/Burgess HEAR ECTS (arguments) and flexibility Course length, credits/outcomes… Internationalisation and the student experience Fees (not strictly a Bologna issue, but. . . ) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 5

Internationalisation challenges facing the UK Consolidating Bologna (ECTS, DS) Establishing a mobility culture Offering an intercultural, international experience Foreign language opportunities Linguistic and cultural diversity Internationalisation ‘at home’ and ‘abroad’ Graduates as ‘global citizens’ Employability and international graduate attributes With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 6

Bologna Action Lines 1. Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees In the main Universities match this but complicated by range of 'choice' 2. Adoption of a system essentially based on two cycles Established history of BA/MA, but are we clear on specification of Masters? 3. Establishment of a system of credits A credit system and now a credit framework exist but we avoid using ECTS 4. Promotion of mobility Most UK Universities score badly on Erasmus mobility 5. Promotion of European co-operation in quality assurance At UK level this is strong 6. Promotion of the European dimension in higher education Difficult to assess but likely to be weak 7. Lifelong learning Most UK Universities score strongly on LLL (but will they continue to? ) 8. Higher education institutions and students Involvement of HEIs and students with Bologna Process is patchy 9. Promoting the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area At university and national level, almost non-existent 10. Doctoral studies and synergy between the EHEA & ERA UK Universities mostly score high on this British Council - UK National Bologna Experts team - Lifelong Learning Programme 7

Erasmus – students get to live in great cities… 8

Challenges for EHEA up to 2020 New Erasmus for All programme Leuven 20/2020 target Increasing competition/competitiveness Student-led, demand-oriented Lifelong learning, employability Mobility with flexible learning paths Global visibility, internationalist outlook Strategic vision, partnerships Research/European Research Area (ERA) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 9

Internationalisation challenges AT HOME ABROAD Internationalising the curriculum Home students studying abroad Foreign language study opportunities Staff mobility, research and teaching Mix of international students Courses/modules abroad, delivered jointly with foreign HEIs Engage international students in teaching and learning processes Joint awards/accreditation/credit mobility International academic staff Research and scholarship partnerships with foreign HEIs/partners Intercultural campus events Capacity building/technical assistance projects International Societies/Erasmus Society International volunteering and charity backed by International Office work Student placements with ethnic groups/intercultural organisations Work placements abroad (Slide based on Fielden, 2007) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 10

ENHANCED DIGITAL LEARNING Support for internationalisation at home and abroad Digital literacy initiatives and training Blended learning / flexible delivery Wi. Fi everywhere! Audio recording/podcasts of lectures All of which requires resources, investment in IT, in training, full time dedicated support staff in Faculties With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 11

Bologna Process information British Council Bologna Process webpage http: //www. britishcouncil. org/erasmus-bologna-process. htm European Commission http: //ec. europa. eu/education/policies/educ/bologna_en. html Bologna Secretariat http: //www. ond. vlaanderen. be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/secretariat/ ECTS http: //ec. europa. eu/education/programmes/socrates/ects/index_en. htm OR http: //ec. europa. eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc 48_en. htm DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT http: //europa. eu. int/comm/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diplom a_en. html UK HE Europe Unit http: //www. europeunit. ac. uk/bologna_process/index. cfm European Students’ Union (ESU) http: //www. esib. org/index. php/issues/european-processes/79 -bolognaprocess Higher Education Academy http: //www. heacademy. ac. uk/internationalisation EMAIL simon. sweeney@york. ac. uk With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 12

GOING MOBILE Going Mobile: Internationalisation, mobility and the European Higher Education Area, authored by Simon Sweeney. This booklet is designed to identify challenges to and opportunities for UK higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It is now available as a hard copy on request to the HEA and is also available in e format as a PDF. With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 13

Higher Education Academy event Going Mobile seminar, facilitated by Simon Sweeney In response to the recent publication of Going mobile: Internationalisation and mobility in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the HEA is pleased to announce a 1 day seminar to be led by the author, Simon Sweeney. The seminar will be held in Bristol on 6 June 2013 (click on the link for an agenda, further information and details of how to book a place). With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 14

Higher Education Academy event Internationalisation in HE: Making Connections event We are pleased to announce a 1 day event on 12 March 2013 at Mary Ward House, London (10. 00 -16. 00) to disseminate the project findings and resources relating to internationalising learning and teaching produced by the Connections pilot project. This event has been organised for higher education providers to learn from the projects, and explore the policy and practice implications for their own institutional context. The event will have a practical focus, and will include a panel discussion, themed symposiums, workshops addressing emerging issues and top tips session. Please click here for the agenda and for further details of the programme for the day. Please visit the Making Connections event page for further details relating to the programme and how to book a place. With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 15

Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Simon Sweeney University of York, UK Bologna Expert Presentation at University of Reading 24 January 2013 With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 16