- ECTS and Diploma Supplement are European tools used for curriculum reform and recognition of learning outcomes between universities. ECTS is a credit system that facilitates student exchange and recognition of academic periods spent abroad. The Diploma Supplement provides a standardized way of describing degrees and aids international academic and employment recognition. Challenges to recognition include differences in curricula structures and diversity of education systems across countries.

2. ECTS, Diploma Supplement and Recognition TEMPUS IV 1st Training seminar, 14-15 April 2008, Parallel session Monica Nylund, Åbo Akademi University

3. - European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Diploma Supplement European tools for curriculum reform and recognition of learning outcomes

4. European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Introduced 1989 Credit transfer Accumulation system key elements: - student workload - learning outcomes Substance of curricula Recognition of periods of study abroad ECTS

5. Systematic way of describing an educational programme Credits attached to components Definition of credits varies - Student workload (ECTS) Learning outcomes (ECTS) Contact hours Credit system

6. Helps universities organise and revise study programmes Easily understandable and comparable degrees Facilitates recognition Makes the education more attractive for students from abroad – mobility of students 66% of institutions in Europe use as an accumulation system 75% of institutions in Europe use ECTS as a transfer system Why ECTS?

7. Main language of instruction is Swedish: necessary to offer courses taught in English Student exchange agreements with foreign universities: today between 400 - 500 agreements Incoming students: approx. 170, outgoing: 125 2007-2008 approx. 160 courses lectured in English Åbo Akademi University: Information package/course catalogue

8. - Contacts with academic staff - Earmarked funds for teaching in English (for 30 courses annually) Specific academic fields of interest, levels Information letters, reminders Updating information, filling gaps Course catalogue versus Welcome Guide Process of assembling information

9. General information : about institution, courses, research, history, geographical information Academic information : The system of higher education in Finland Studying Examination Credits Grading system Academic freedom and academic responsibility Academic year Contents of course catalogue

10. Student services : Orientation course Academic Advising sessions Student tutors Fees Budgeting Scholarships Housing Libraries and Student Facilities The Career services Contents of course catalogue

11. How to apply? Prerequisites Application deadline Welcome Package Language course in Swedish Contact information Contents of course catalogue

12. Each field of study in the catalogue is briefly presented Help notes for academic departments, 2003: Please describe the field of study Do you offer courses lectured in English? Could some courses be offered in English if there are enough interested students? Which levels are used, please explain what they refer to How many years of previous study in the field is required in order to attend courses Do you provide guidance in English (e.g. for thesis work)? Can international students participate in projects, laboratory work or seminars in English? Course information

13. Course title Course code Credits (ECTS) Lecturer Period: Autumn/Spring semester Level: basic/intermediate/advanced Target audience: Year 2 for example Aim (learning outcome) Entry requirements/Prerequisites Contents Form of assessment: Paper/Presentation/Examination/ Course Diary Contact hours (how many hours of lectures) Course literature Course information

14. Internet publication of catalogue early March Updated continuously Primary source of information for students who make a study plan Printed Catalogue Mid-March sent to all partner universities Detailed course schedules in August contact with departments academic advising sessions: filling gaps, finalising study plans E-mail list with information to students about courses continuously Course information

15. - Updated continuously easy to navigate/ sorting information links to partner universities overview and general info as well as course information Your “business card”/image! Website of international office

16. - Every student graduating since 2005 should receive automatically and free of charge Improve international ‘transparency’ - Academic recognition of course units Describes the nature, context, content, and status of the studies successfully completed Understanding of different educational systems Free from any value-judgments, equivalence statements or suggestions about recognition DS - Diploma Supplement

17. Free movement of students in the European Higher Education Area Employability Åbo Akademi University issues Diploma Supplements in English with each examination certificate Slightly less than 50% of Higher Education Institutions in Europe issue a Diploma Supplement to graduating students Diploma Supplement

18. Recognition of student learning principle of “mutual trust and confidence” learning agreements 47% of institutions report that some students have problems with the recognition of their credits gained abroad (Trends V, 2007) Is ECTS being used correctly? Institutional recognition procedures Example: Procedures at Åbo Akademi University Challenges for recognition

19. Staffing and adequate resourcing Updates, counselling, advising Differences of structure of curricula, degrees and institutions Diversity of systems and disciplines Challenges for recognition

20. Organise and promote the Bologna Process Clear definitions and clear terminology Effective use of existing recognition tools and networks Methods

21. Thank you! Resources used for this presentation: - Trends V: Universities shaping the European Higher Education Area, EUA publications 2007 http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/in_en.html http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diploma_en.html http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/ects/index_en.html