Work programme of the Bologna Follow-Up Group 2005-2007

Working Group on Qualifications Frameworks

Report on implementation and further development of overarching qualifications framework.

The Ministers responsible for Higher Education in the countries participating in the Bologna Process established the overarching framework for qualifications of the European Higher Education Area when they met in Bergen in 2005

Content for Bologna Expert - 18/05/2007

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Key outcomes from the Bologna Working Group on Qualifications Frameworks

The Working Group on Qualifications Frameworks’ main tasks were to consider what further development of the EHEA-framework may be required, particularly the linkage between the national frameworks and the EHEA-framework; monitor the development of the EU “European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning”; provide assistance to member countries working to introduce national frameworks.

The Working Group has conducted four regional workshops on developing national qualifications frameworks and supported especially new Bologna members through participation in conferences and meetings. It has overseen the completion of two pilot projects in Ireland and Scotland on verification of the compatibility of national qualifications frameworks with the overarching EHEA-framework.

The main findings of the Working Group are:

We see, for the moment, no need for amendments to the overarching Framework of Qualifications for the EHEA agreed in the Bergen Communiqué, or to the procedures and criteria for verification of compatibility of national qualifications framework with the overarching framework.
But, we see a need for facilitating experience-sharing in the elaboration and development of national qualifications frameworks. This is not a job for a new working group, but should be vested in a permanent international organisation with its own resources. The Working Group propose that this task is entrusted to the Council of Europe, which already carries out the role of secretariat for the ENIC in the field of recognition, and to which notifications of certification of national qualifications frameworks are given.
We are satisfied that national qualifications frameworks, compatible with the overarching EHEA-framework, will also be compatible with the proposal from the European Commission on a European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning.
In order to avoid confusion by the existence of two overarching frameworks, it is important that the promotion of the EHEA should build on the overarching EHEA-framework.

Mogens Berg, Chair of the Working Group, Denmark

Source: Bergen to London 2007 - Secretariat Report on the Bologna Work Programme 2005-2007
Bologna Process between Bergen and London

Terms of reference

The terms of reference (BFUG7 5c) submitted to the BFUG Meeting in Manchester, October 2005, were revised.

In order to realize the objectives set by the Ministers, the Working Group shall:

Consider what further development of the framework may be required, particularly the linkage between national frameworks and the EHEA-framework; the Working Group may invite member countries to participate in pilot projects of self-certification of national frameworks; it may conduct a survey on how credit ranges and credits are defined in national legislation;
Support the Working Group on Stocktaking in the stocktaking exercise of implementation of national frameworks;
Monitor the development of the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning with the aim of ensuring complementarity between that framework and the EHEA framework and advise BFUG on the matter; and
Provide assistance to member countries working to introduce national frameworks.

The Group will submit progress reports to BFUG and a final report of its findings to the London Conference through BFUG.

Start

Terms of Reference agreed by BFUG in October 2005

The first meeting of the Working Group took place in Copenhagen, Denmark on 21 November 2005.

Members

Members of the Working Group were BFUG-representatives from the following coun- tries:

Denmark (N-Europe), chair (continuing)
Netherlands (NW-Europe, substituting Ireland)
Russia (NE-Europe, substituting Latvia) (non EU) 4. Hungary (Central Europe, continuing)
Spain (SW-Europe, substituting France)
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (SE-Europe, new seat) (non EU)
Chair of the WG on Stocktaking
Bologna Presidency (UK-AT-FI-GER)

The Working Group could draw on expertise and commission research, as it feels appropriate and it called for expertise from consultative organisations as well as national experts on qualifications frameworks.

WG meetings

The Working Group has had meetings in November 2005 and in February, September and December 2006.

It has conducted four regional workshops on developing National Qualifications Frameworks (June and September 2006) and supported especially new Bologna members through participation in conferences and meetings.

ENQA Workshop on Quality assurance and Qualifications Frameworks

Definition

Qualifications frameworks describe the qualifications of an education system and how they interlink.

National qualifications frameworks describe what learners should know, understand and be able to do on the basis of a given qualification as well as how learners can move from one qualification to another within a system.

EU Commission’s consultation

In it’s meeting in Luxembourg 15 June 2005 the Board of BFUG asked the Bologna Working Group on Qualifications Frameworks for a proposal for a reaction by BFUG to the EU Commission’s consultation document on a European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning to be published in July.

BFUG7_8a Letter about proposal of reaction regarding EQF

BFUG7_8b Proposal for reaction about the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning

ESIB Policy statement on European Qualification Frameworks - November 2005

Reaction of the European Association of Conservatoires (AEC) to the EU Commission Staff Working Document Towards a European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning

Comments from the Higher Arts Education Sector on the Commission Staff Working Document Towards a European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning