Joint Degrees for Europe

David Crosier, EUA

…2…

For more information on EUA

and its activities

Visit us at Stand 6

or consult our website www.eua.be

…3…

PRESENTATION OVERVIEWBackground to EUA’s Joint Masters projectProject overview – selection & methodology Project outcomesProposals on key issues

…4…

Project background: EUA interest in Joint Masters

To learn about “European dimension” in action To improve inter-university cooperation since

JM require: transparency and agreement on degree

structures student and professor mobility joint curriculum development proper use of ECTS Language policy

…5…

Background ResearchBefore 2002, little research into actual joint programmes & masters degrees in Europe

EUA Survey on Master Degrees and Joint Degrees in Europe, Christian Tauch and Andrejs Rauhvargers (Sept 2002)

diversity of Master degree structureslegal recognition difficulties for joint degreesBilateral programmes more frequent than joint programmesJoint programmes more common at Master and Doctoral levels

…6…

EUA Joint Masters Project

11 existing programmes selected by independent panel (July 2002)Programmes demonstrate innovation, cover a wide geographical spread, offer disciplinary varietyOver 100 universities involved Networks vary from 4 - 31 institutions

…7…

11 Selected Networks European Urban Culture European Construction Engineering International Trade/ European Integration Euroculture International Humanitarian Assistance International management Interdisciplinary Law and Economics Labour Studies International Health/ Tropical Medicine Water and Coastal Management Comparative European Social Studies

…8…

Goals of the ProjectDemonstrate and disseminate good practice to all interested universitiesFormulate recommendations for future joint programmes, and to help ensure sustainability of existing programmesIndicate structural changes needed in Europe/institutions to make Joint Masters a permanent feature of the EHEA

…9…

Project Themes

Quality Assurance and Recognition

Student Experience and Mobility

Course Integration and Sustainability

…10…

Project Methodology

Self – evaluation within programmesQualitative Research Project

Inter-Network Meeting EUA Cluj Conference, October 2003 (first presentation of findings)

…11…

Project Findings: Who benefits?

Students: expansion of minds & opportunities

Academics: development of research & teaching networks

Institutions: enhance reputation & institutional cooperation

Europe: respond to professional development needs; European citizenship & inter-cultural understanding; global recognition of European strengths

…12…

Challenges for Europe: definitions and structures

Variety of course structures – linked to subject/student numbers/research/institutional capacity/priorities etc - & no desire for standardisation / European modelLength of Master degrees (tendency in this group 60-75 ECTS)Purpose of Master degrees (self-standing vs integrated; academic vs professional) On-going recognition barriers – progress in European legislation, but national legislation barriers remainQuality assurance for trans-national programmes

…13…

Challenges for Europe II: funding and compatibility

Incompatible national funding frameworks – tuition fees, portability of grants/loans; social security and pension transferability etc Distribution of limited resources across institutions in differing socio-economic contexts Programme sustainability and development in a competitive environment

…14…

Challenges for Europe III: academic coherence

Decentralised admission – variable entrance criteriaArticulation with Bachelor and PhD programmes Impact on research? (No assessment)Language of instruction: is one language sufficient?Common standards - ECTS not used consistentlyGrading & assessment: difficult to coordinate Diploma Supplement – not yet used

…15…

Challenges for Europe IV: access & elitism

Programmes tend to attract élite affluent students Lack of support for non-traditional students –

funding, child-care, needs of disabled etc geographical exclusion : especially South East and

Central and Eastern Europe How to mainstream joint programmes – need for

institutional anchoring Would it be more effective to promote other forms

of mobility in an era of mass higher education, such as taking master degree in foreign institution

…16…

Cluj Conference OutcomesGreater funding incentives for institutions are required (EM not sufficient)Interest from CEE in joint degrees with Western European universities for curriculum development/modernisation - but particular funding support neededNeed for targeted funding for students with low socio-economic status within Europe (especially CEE)Institutional policy/strategy – crucial dimension for long-term successRecommendation to EUA to work upon trans-national quality assurance / recognition

…17…

10 Golden Rules for new Joint Master Programmes

1 Know why you are setting up the programme2 Choose partners carefully3 Develop programme goals & desired learning

outcomes with all partners4 Ensure that institutions (not just academic

colleagues) fully support programme5 Ensure sufficient academic & administrative staff

resources are involved

…18…

10 Golden Rules for new Joint Master Programmes

6 Ensure that there is a sustainable funding strategy for network as a whole

7 Make sure information is easily accessible and reliable to all potential students

8 Organise sufficient planning meetings (cost in)9 Agree upon language policy, & encourage local

language learning10 Allocate responsibilities across the network in a clear

& transparent manner

…19…

Further information

Joint Masters Project report: publication available (downloadable free of charge from EUA website – www.eua.be)

EUA Contacts David Crosier & Kate Geddiedavid.crosier@eua.bekate.geddie@eua.be