ECTS and Diploma Supplement labels

Raimonda Markeviciene Madrid, 30 June-1 July, 2008

What is the history of ECTS/DS labels?

2003ECTS: 91 application DS: 85 applications2004ECTS: 55 applicationsDS: 72 applications2005ECTS: 46 applicationDS: 102 applications

Reaction of European HEIs:

Why do we need it? What is the use? This institution got ECTS the label???!!!Who are the assessors that made this decision???!!!Our institution is too big to do this We are good and well known as we are to care about labels…Only third rate institutions apply for the label….

Etc…

Indeed, why?

Not supported nationally

Quality assurance agencies do not care for it

No extra money for all the bother and hard work

But did anybody ask themselves:

Is our HEI prepared to think global and perceive international tendencies, demands and competition?Does our HEI need better visibility in the process of globalization? How do labels help?Can visibility be fostered by the labels? What does the label mean for our students? Our partners? Ourselves?

Or maybe it:

Tells about transparency in recognisable format Proves student-centred / workload based approach Convinces senior management to consider administrative

standards / guarantees adminstrative excelence Guarantees quality of information available to students and their

proxies (parents, funders etc.) / and potential partners Increases quality of mobility / provides more possibilities for joint

degrees Helps marketing the institution at home and abroad Aids recognition of periods of study and qualifications Increases prestige / Quality: showing that ınstitution uses

DS/ECTS properly

How does selection go?

Keep in mind: Checklist Users’ guideBased on written evidence and at this particular

point in time (3 programmes/3 course units)Relative quality – the best of the bunch does not

mean the best in absolute terms

Will the route through NA help to avoid this?

ECTS label – simple requirements difficult to fulfill

Information Package and Course Catalogue(IP/CC) for ALL I and II cycle degree programmes in local language and English (unless English is l-ge of instruction); (accessible through the Web page)

Correct use of credits (student workload based)Recognition of study period abroadCorrect use of other ECTS tools (Learning agreement,

Transcript of Records)

ECTS - Knock out criteria (Polite form: Prerequisites for assessment)

Not all degree programmes described; Allocation of credits is not based on student workload; No IP/CC version in English; The dossiers for outgoing or incoming students do not

fulfill basic criteria: 1. Of programmes, countries, partner institutions;2. One or more forms are missing in the 3 X 2 dossiers.

The most common mistakes for IP/CC

No mirror information in two languages Missing information items in degree and course

descriptions IP/CC is difficult to find on the institutions webpage ECTS is used only by some departments ECTS is not applied to all students Credits do not equal 60 per year (no course structure

diagram) No information on LO

Istanbul recommendations for IP/CC:

Should institutions also describe short programmes?Of course they should! Short programmes are already descrıbed ın some countrıesOften short courses lead on to other courses and so their description is necessary though should not influence the decision on label award. (Subject to debate?)

Istanbul recommendations for IP/CC:

Credit requirements per respective period 20/30

For the formal programme, the credit distribution must be respected, i.e. 20 / 30/ 60... B U TWhat can an institution do if the student could not achieve the correct number of credıts at host institution?: SENSIBLE FLEXIBILITY for mobile students

The most common mistakes for student documents:

ToR: The copies of the ToR are not certified/stamps missing Missing explanation of the local grading system Students awarded credits though they did not pass exams Missing local grades, ECTS grades and/or credits LA: Missing dates and signatures Inconsistency between LA, ToR and proof of recognition No credits indicated in the LA LA not in place before the mobility

Istanbul recommendations on grading:

If not compulsory for the label (as it is the case):

Better not to use it, than to use it wronglyDON’T REPLACE local grades and grading

systems with ECTS rating schemeRecommendation: working group on the proper

use and implementation of the ECTS Grading System

The most common mistakes for proofs of recognition:

No information on recognition proceduresNot clear how credits and grades have been

convertedNot clear what period at home institution is

replaced by the period abroadRecognition documents without signatures

and/or stampsProofs made just for the label application

Istanbul recommendations on proofs of recognition:

Transcript of records from a database, If not, they must APE (be Authentic, Plausible, and Explicit)

DS label - requirements easier to fulfill?

The DS should be issued for all students: AutomaticallyFree of chargeIn two languages (local and widely spoken

foreign); Unless a country’s law foresees DS only in a widely spoken language.

DS - knock out criteria (Polite form: Prerequisites for assessment)

Not fulfilled - 4 hard copiesNot fulfilled (except institutions with less than

four degree programmes):2 different first cycle programmes2 different second cycle programmes

Or4 integrated programmes

The most common mistakes for DS:

The DS does not follow official model Changed or missing preamble Transcripts are not included in the DS Not all cycles are represented in the dossiers submitted No proofs that DS is issued to ALL students and Free of charge The courses taken abroad are not indicated with the original titles Not clear what credits are used Filled in examples instead of copies submitted Confusing translation of degree titles

Istanbul recommendations for DS:

DS LABEL:• Should last longer than 3 years• Consistency in terminology: preferably

use Bologna terms

What should a HEI be aware of when applying for the label?

Be aware that label is not only prestige but also responsibility

Be convinced that it is able to live and work according to the label standards after it got one (better proper use of ECTS and DS without the labels than the labels combined with poor practice)

Be aware that it puts itself under the “magnifying glass” of its partners

Proper fulfillment of formal application requirements is very important when applying for quality labels

National and European evaluation – danger or help?

National EuropeanClearer information for the evaluator Easier to see if information is

transparent enough

Better awareness of national legislation Better compliance to ECTS/DS “Philosophy”

Relative quality in national context Relative quality in European context

Suggestions: Look for consistency (common platforms)Try judging if separate missing items hamper transparencyDecide if solutions offered/adopted by a HEI foster mobility and are beneficial to students

For fellow experts:

The wind is never favorable to those who don’t know where they are going.

Seneca

We have to believe in what we promote. Only our belief allows us to be critical and credible.

Thank you for your attention!