The participation of Polytechnics in the European Higher Education Area 13.4.2005
Dec 21, 2015
The participation of Polytechnics in the European Higher
Education Area 13.4.2005
The Bologna process
• The Bologna Declaration 1999
• The follow-up meeting in Prague 2001
• The Lisbon Strategy 2001
• The Copenhagen process 2002
• The follow-up meeting in Berlin 2003
• The follow-up meeting in Bergen 2005
The objectives of the Bologna processby the year 2010
• Easily readable and comparable degrees • Uniform degree structures • Establishment of a system of credits • Increased mobility • The European co-operation in quality
assurance • The European dimension in higher
education
Easily readable and comparable degrees
• A common European/national context
• Comparable, transparent degrees
• Required starting (initial) level, substitute courses, an entrance to further studies
• Curriculums based on competences
• Diploma Supplement, an enclosure to the Diploma
Uniform degree structures
• 2 levels: Bachelor and Master
• First cycle: lower university degree, polytechnic degree
• Second cycle: higher university degree, polytechnic postgraduate degree
• Third cycle: Doctors degree
ECTS
• Introduction of the European system of dimensioning higher education studies
• ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)
• Transfer and accumulation system
• 1 credit unit = 1,5 credit points
• Defines the students´ workload
Establishment of a system of credits = The dimension system of studies
• A Polytechnic degree is – 180 credit points (120 credit units/3 years)– 210 credit points (140 credit units/ 3,5 years)– 240 credit points (160 credit units/4 years)
• The students´ workload / academic year is 1600 hours, which is 60 credit points
Degree Diplomas
• All degree diplomas after 1.8.2005 will be given in credit points
• The conversion factor for students who have started their studies earlier is 1,5
• Diploma text:– The system of measuring higher education studies in
Finland is going to change. Credits will be replaced by the new unit of measurement, ECTS credit, on 1 August 2005. A students annual workload of 1,600 hours will be worth 60 ECTS credits. The extent of degrees will remain unchanged.
Increased mobility
• Recognition of knowledge and degrees
• Financing: Socrates (2000-2006), Leonardo da Vinci (2000 – 2006) and Erasmus Mundus (2004 – 2008)
• Joint Degrees and Double Degrees
The European co-operation in quality assurance
• Quality assurance system
• Periodical check-ups
• The quality of the provided education is accepted in all EU countries
• Entrance to markets
• ENQA network (European Network of Quality Assurance in Higher Education)
The European dimension in higher education
• Dualism and the different objectives and tasks in the higher education area: level of required knowledge
• Learning results: knowledge, skills and competence• Similarity between the university sector and the
polytechnic sector:– Language and communication skills– International skills– Ethical aspects– Knowledge and communication skills
Curriculum
• Academic Curriculum Core Analysis – Must know: basic knowledge– Should know: complementary knowledge– Nice to know: special knowledge
• Evaluation of workload– The degrees´ workload compared to the study
periods amount and methods of work
• Consistent descriptions of the study content
The duration of an academic year
• Vaasa Polytechnic will introduce the ECTS-system from 1.8.2005
• The students´ workload during one academic year is 1600 hours/60 credit points and includes structured teaching, individual work, practical training, exams, written assignments..
• 22.8.2005 – 16.6.2006 (= 40 weeks)• Christmas holiday: 2 weeks, winter holiday: 1
week, independent studies during week 43• Period 5, practical training and thesis
Dimensioning the practical training
• Practical training to promote professional skills
• Dimensioning according to actual workload
• 1 credit point is approximately 27 work hours
Language skills
• Statements in the degree diplomas:– Language of education– Language of maturity test– The language skills provided by Polytechnics
ought to respond to the requirements within bilingual authorities concerning the second domestic language (424/2003, 6 §)
Language skills
• Polytechnic grades 1 – 3 = satisfactory and grades 4 – 5 = good.
• The evaluation of English and the second domestic language preparing studies
• Compulsory language studies are at least 2 credit units / 3 ECTS– Foreign language (English or other)– Second domestic language– Finnish/Swedish language and communication
You need time to learn, not just to study