With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 1

Simon SweeneyUniversity of York, UK Bologna ExpertPresentation at University of Reading

24 January 2013

Bologna Process and the European Higher EducationArea (EHEA)

Bologna Process and the EHEA

Council of Europe initiativeLisbon Recognition Convention 1997European Council (European Union) 1999Aim to establish the European Higher

Education Area by 2010Bologna Action Lines

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Bologna Process

3 cycles (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral) for international comparison and equivalence Credit transfer principle Mobility/international exchange Compatible qualification frameworksTransparent quality assurance

processesEHEA - a common frame of reference

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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)

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Challenges facing UK HEIs

Qualifications Framework for the EHEADiploma Supplement/Burgess HEARECTS (arguments) and flexibilityCourse length, credits/outcomes…Internationalisation and the student

experienceFees (not strictly a Bologna issue, but...)

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Internationalisation challenges facing the UKConsolidating Bologna (ECTS, DS)Establishing a mobility cultureOffering an intercultural, international

experienceForeign language opportunitiesLinguistic and cultural diversityInternationalisation ‘at home’ and ‘abroad’Graduates as ‘global citizens’Employability and international graduate attributes

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British Council - UK National Bologna Experts team - Lifelong Learning Programme 7

Bologna Action Lines1. Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degreesIn the main Universities match this but complicated by range of 'choice' 2.  Adoption of a system essentially based on two cyclesEstablished history of BA/MA, but are we clear on specification of Masters?3.  Establishment of a system of creditsA credit system and now a credit framework exist but we avoid using ECTS4.  Promotion of mobilityMost UK Universities score badly on Erasmus mobility5.  Promotion of European co-operation in quality assuranceAt UK level this is strong6.  Promotion of the European dimension in higher educationDifficult to assess but likely to be weak7.  Lifelong learningMost UK Universities score strongly on LLL (but will they continue to?)8.  Higher education institutions and studentsInvolvement of HEIs and students with Bologna Process is patchy9.  Promoting the attractiveness of the European Higher Education AreaAt university and national level, almost non-existent 10.  Doctoral studies and synergy between the EHEA & ERAUK Universities mostly score high on this

Erasmus – students get to live in great

cities…

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Challenges for EHEA up to 2020

New Erasmus for All programmeLeuven 20/2020 targetIncreasing competition/competitivenessStudent-led, demand-orientedLifelong learning, employabilityMobility with flexible learning paths Global visibility, internationalist outlookStrategic vision, partnershipsResearch/European Research Area (ERA)

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Internationalisation challengesAT HOME ABROADInternationalising 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 backed by International Office

International volunteering and charity work

Student placements with ethnic groups/intercultural organisations

Work placements abroad

(Slide based on Fielden, 2007)

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ENHANCED DIGITAL LEARNING Support for internationalisation at home and abroad

Digital literacy initiatives and training

Blended learning / flexible delivery

WiFi everywhere!

Audio recording/podcasts of lectures

All of which requires resources, investment in IT, in training, full time dedicated support staff in Faculties

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Bologna Process informationBritish Council Bologna Process webpagehttp://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus-bologna-process.htmEuropean Commission http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/educ/bologna/bologna_en.htmlBologna Secretariat http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/secretariat/ECTS http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/ects/index_en.htmOR http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc48_en.htmDIPLOMA SUPPLEMENThttp://europa.eu.int/comm/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diploma_en.htmlUK HE Europe Unit http://www.europeunit.ac.uk/bologna_process/index.cfmEuropean Students’ Union (ESU)http://www.esib.org/index.php/issues/european-processes/79-bologna-processHigher Education Academyhttp://www.heacademy.ac.uk/internationalisation

EMAIL simon.sweeney@york.ac.uk

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GOING MOBILEGoing 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.

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Higher Education Academy eventGoing 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).

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Higher Education Academy eventInternationalisation 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

With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union 16

Simon SweeneyUniversity of York, UK Bologna ExpertPresentation at University of Reading

24 January 2013

Bologna Process and the European Higher EducationArea (EHEA)