The Challenges of Joint Programmes

The View of the Universities

Tia Loukkola10 June, 2010

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Introduction to EUA

Membership organisation of 850 members: universities and national rectors’ conferences in 46 countriesMission: To ensure that universities have the means to fulfill their three-fold public mission (research, teaching and service to society)Activities: Policy development, projects, membership services, research and publicationActive in EU and in a wider Europe: Unique overview of different processes that take place at different levels

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EUA’s Work in QAInstitutional Evaluation Programme since 1994Policy work: E4 co-operation with ESU, ENQA and EURASHE since 2001

• ESG (European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in HE)

• EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register in HE)

Projects: Quality Culture, 2002 – 2006 Creativity project, 2006 – 2007 Quality Assurance for the Higher Education Change Agenda (QAHECA),

2008 – 2009 Examining Quality Culture in European Higher Education Institutions,

2009 – 2011

European Quality Assurance Forum, 2006 –

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EUA Work in the Field of Joint Programmes

EUA Joint Masters Project (2002 – 2004)EMNEM – European Masters New Evaluation Methodology 2006 Guidelines for Quality Enhancement in European Joint Masters

Programmes

EUA Survey on Master Programme in Europe 2008 -2009Policy work

• For example as regards to the external QA arrangements, recognition of qualifications

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Some results from Trends 2010 survey I

Does your institution offer joint programmes with other institutions in a different country?

Yes, there are examples of joint programmes in all cycles 19% Yes, there are examples of joint programmes in the second

cycle  (master) 42% Not yet, but some departments are planning joint programmes

30% No, we do not see the need for joint programmes 3%

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Some Results from Trends 2010 survey II

Does your institution offer joint programmes with other institutions in your country? Yes, with institutions that are similar to ours (e.g., if you are a

university, your joint programme is with other universities) 57%

Yes, with higher education institutions that are different from ours (e.g., if you are a university, your joint programme is with a polytechnic, further education college) 31%

No, we do not see the need for joint programmes 21%

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Master Survey in Europe

Most joint programmes second cycle programmesIncreasing in numbersCourse coordination challenging, not less due to incongruent national legislations on variable entry points credit weighting Workloads learning outcomes

Variety of forms, at times strong element of ad hoc compromise and approximation

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Principles for QA of Joint Programmes

Same principles as for regular provision Main responsibility lies within HEI(s) European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) apply Primary goal of QA processes should be to enhance

quality

But some additional challenges do exist

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Joint Programme: From Planning to Action

Shared understanding What are we doing? Why are we doing this? Language question

Decision-making and levels of responsibility What is decided at the level of network What at the level of subject What at the level of each institution

Quality Assurance and Recognition

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Internal QA of a Joint Programme

Com-mit-ment

Outline Aims

Concept

Self-eva

luation

Joint Analysis

Improving

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Quality Related QuestionsAims and objectivesConceptProgramme Implementation: Tools Decision-Making Processes Organisation Resources Staff Financial resources Administration Organisation of admissions and transitions

Quality assessmentProgramme Sustainability

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External QA of Joint ProgrammesEUA promotes institutional audits or evaluations rather than programme accreditationBalance between internal and external QA processesAvoiding additional bureaucracy EUA supports arrangements that facilitate mutual

recognition of external QA decisions

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To conclude

Joint Programmes are a challenging form of provision, but can be rewarding if well planned

EUA publications and further information available at www.eua.be