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Student Counselling at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

PRIUM Site Visit9 september 2008

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Linda WillemsStudent Guidance and

Equal Opportunities Office

Marc VandersteenCurriculum Management Office

A brief history of legal initiatives

Ancient history

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Law of 1971;Belgian universities have to provide social

services to their students;HousingAffordable mealsSocial office (financial support,

scholarships, studyloans)Study Guidance

A brief history of legal initiatives

Ancient history

PRIUM Visitpag. 4

Law of 1991;Flemish universities have to organise

information activities at the beginning of the academic year for new students

Students can ask for individually adjusted yearprogrammes, based on exemptions they acquired

First measures for monitoring study progress

A brief history of legal initiatives

Modern Times

PRIUM Visitpag. 5

Law of 2003 on the structure of Flemish higher education Implementation of Bologna;

Bachelor, Master and DoctorateCredit-system (accumulate/transfer)2 tracs: Professional – AcademicBridging programmes

A brief history of legal initiatives

Modern Times

PRIUM Visitpag. 6

Law of 2004 on the flexibility of Flemish higher education

Curricula no longer structured as year-programmes

Instruments monitoring study progressSpecial focus on target groupsValorisation of competences acquired

through non-formal learning

A brief history of legal initiatives

Modern Times

PRIUM Visitpag. 7

Law of 2008 on the financing of Flemish higher education

Direct relation between financing of institutions and the rate of studysuccess

Output vs. InputBonus for diploma’s grantedBonus for students from target groupsLearning Credit System of 140 ECTS

A brief history of legal initiatives

Target groups

PRIUM Visitpag. 8

Top Sport StudentsStudents with handicap/long-lasting

ilness/learning disabilitiesStudents from allochtonous originWorking students

Equal opportunity policy: a.o. flexibility in

examination

Introducing flexibilty in higher education

Ancient history

Limited study related choices:

- which degree programme ?

- at which institution ?

PRIUM Visitpag. 9

Introducing flexibility in higher education

Modern Times

Complex study related choices

- up- or downstream ?

- fulltime or partime ?

- specialisations, minors, profiles ?

- a nice or a coherent programme ?

- diploma or credit certificates ?

PRIUM Visitpag. 10

Introducing flexibilty in higher education

PRIUM Visit

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Flexibility in Pictures

‘Monolitic’ structures:unique trajectoris leading to unique sets of competences

x'

y' z' w'

y x z w

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Flexibility in Pictures

Bridging the gaps : Use of linking- and prepatory programmes

PRIUM Visit

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Flexibility in Pictures

Bachelor after BachelorHogeschool

Master Hogeschool or university

Professional BachelorHogeschool min. 180 ECTS

Academic BachelorHogechool or universitymin. 180 ECTS

Linking programme Prepatory programme

BridgesDoctorate Master after master

Prep. Progr

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Flexibility in Pictures

Use of minors

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Flexibility in Pictures

Use of credits - accumaulation

- transfer

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Flexibility in Pictures

Use of requisites Missing requisites are

compensated

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Flexibility in higher education: aims

- increase of study succes and output

- increase of participation of non-

traditional student groups

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Flexibility in higher education: means

- adjustment of the volume and

- adjustment of the phasing of the

trajectory

- in accordance with the individual

possibilities, expectations, specific competences and

background of students

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Flexibility in higher education: pitfalls

- open access

- gaps between Sec.Ed. & Hi.Ed.

- unnecessary slowing down of study

progress

- ‘atomisation’ of individual programme

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Flexibility in higher education: challenges

- safe-guard coherence of the

individualised curricula

- safe-guard total length of study

periods

- early detection of eminent dropout

and efficient reorientation

- specific support towards target groups

PRIUM Visitpag. 21

Managing flexibility in higher education

Support and guidance is offered in a structured way;

Study Guidance and Equal Opportunities Office & (in operation since “ancient history”)

Educational Career Consultants & (in operation since 2005)

Centres for Student Training and Support (in operation since “ancient history”)

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Managing flexibility in higher education

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Student Guidance Office Educational Career Consultants

Stearing through Vice-rector for Student Policy

Stearing through Vice-rector for Academic Education

Indepented body vis-à-vis faculties Indepented body vis-à-vis faculties

Operating as a central service, for all students, regardless faculty and discipline

Operating within the faculties, linked to the programmes and disciplines offered within the faculty

Staff of 4 studentpsychologists (0.5 FTE for Equal Opportunities)

One consultant per faculty (8), each holding a university degree and having thorough knowledge of the disciplines offered by their faculty

Managing flexibility in higher education

PRIUM Visitpag. 24

Student Guidance Office

Focus On

Educational Career Consultants

Focus on

Study methodology and related competences

Students progress along the programme’s path

Time-management Signal obstacles in ‘studibility’ in the programmes to responsibles

Provide reliable and solid information on academic programmes

Provide reliable and solid information on academic programmes

Assist the process of choice before and at start of studies

Assist the process of choice during the studies

Re-orientation with focus on motivational aspects and study-related competences

Re-orientation with focus on providing information on alternative study programmes

Managing flexibility in higher education

Time Line of initiatives

Spring Information initiatives 5th. Year of sec. ed. SGO

january Provincial information fairs SGO & ECC

march information sessions at institutes SGO & ECC

september Domain specific bridging programmes & SGO

sessions on study methodology (ongoing)

sept. Start Academic Year

1st week reception week for new students SGO & ECC

october sessions on study methodology SGO

adjustment of trajectories ECC

november first evaluation pre-tests; detection of eminent

drop-out & reorientation, sessions on test anxiety SGO & ECC

december sessions on examination competences SGO

february adjustment of trajectories related to ex.results ECC

march-june sessions on test anxiety SGO

july-september evaluation of ex. results; adjustment of trajectory &

reorientation SGO & ECC

PRIUM Visitpag. 25

Managing flexibility in higher education

• All initiatives supporting students progress should be clear and visible to all stakeholders;– To students– To teaching and administrative personnel– To external referents

Therefore we prepare to evolve towards an “integrated study guidance landscape”

PRIUM Visit

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