What is the relationship between the HE qualifications framework and quality assurance? Stephen Adam, June 2011.

What is the relationship between the What is the relationship between the HE qualifications framework and HE qualifications framework and quality assurance?quality assurance?

Stephen Adam, June 2011

Definitions:Definitions:

QUALITY:‘The level of excellence’

QUALITY ASSURANCE:‘The means (internal and external) and

processes by which the quality of academic provision is maintained and confirmed’

STANDARDS:‘Accepted measurement on which to base a

judgement’

QUALITY ENHANCEMENT:‘Improving quality’

Qualifications frameworks

(levels, standards,transparency)

Lifelong Learning

(VET-HE links + Recognition of prior learning

RPL)

Credits aand credit systems

(ECTS/ECVET)

Mobility(Student, staff,

programme)Recognition

(Lisbon Recognition Convention)

Student - centred Learning

(Quality of studentExperience)

Curriculum Development

(learning outcomes)

Employability Agenda

(transferable skills)

QUALITYQUALITYASSURANCE ASSURANCE

The pivotal place of quality in the Bologna Process

NB. There is no Bologna automatic recognition!

The EHEA Bologna cycles are designed to aid countries in the development of their own level descriptors (which have more detail) and must directly relate to the EHEA descriptors (standards). Following self-certification the HEQF of different countries will link to a common standard.

Without confidence in the quality assurance of a country/institution there will be no recognition of qualifications.

The Bologna reforms are permeated with tools to aid transparency and hence ‘fair recognition’ judgments can be made…

The main Bologna QA tool:

The E4 Standards and Guidelines for Quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (SAG)

Main solution: Main solution: ‘European Standards and Guidelines (ESG)’ ‘European Standards and Guidelines (ESG)’

1. INTERNAL:Policy and procedures for QAApproval, monitoring and periodic review of programmes and awardsAssessment of studentsQuality assurance of teaching staffLearning resources and student supportInformation systemsPublic information

3. STANDARDS & PROCESSES FOR QA AGENCIES:Status, activities, resources, independence, criteria, accountability, etc.

2.EXTERNAL:Use of internal QA proceduresDevelopment of external quality assurance processesCriteria for decisionsProcesses fit for purposeReportingFollow-up proceduresPeriodic reviewsSystem-wide analyses:

Institutional management of quality assurance – some issues to consider (there is no perfect blueprint for this!)

Stephen Adam, May 2011: [email protected]

E4 Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area

THIS IS NOT QUALTY ASSURANCE

IN HE QUALITY ASSURANCE IS NOT SOMETHING DONE TO YOU!

Web referencesWeb references

Bologna QF web site:http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/qf/qf.asp

Council of Europe HE site:http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereducation/Default_en.asp

EQF site:http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm

European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) –see workshop reports (especially workshop 5 report – Quality Assurance and Qualifications frameworks): http://www.enqa.eu/