International Trends: the Bologna Process and the European Research Area Ruth Thompson Director of Higher Education Strategy and Implementation Department for Education and Skills, London 16 March 2006

Rationale and background EU in quest for competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy (Lisbon) EU not responsible for coordination of national HE policies – but is responsible for large research budget, of which HE a major beneficiary Two separate but linked programmes: Bologna Process (1999) – Original signatories UK, France, Germany and Italy European Research Area (2000) Bologna - repercussions and interest across the world

Bologna’s ambitions reforms to modernise higher education systems across 45 European countries flexible framework to offer students what they need and allow universities and colleges to respond to the needs of the 21st century economy supports European universities and colleges; helps them play to their strengths 10 key objectives in Bologna Process, covering areas such as mobility, employability, attractiveness and student involvement

Objectives – “action lines” - condensed Promote readily comparable degrees Adopt a common two- (now three-) cycle degree system Establish credit-based higher education, so encouraging mobility Promote freedom of movement for students and staff Promote co-operation in quality assurance Promote co-operation in curriculum development and integrated programmes of study

Bergen, May 2005:I formal adoption of overarching framework of qualifications and of standards and guidelines for quality assurance Reports on implementation and further development of the overarching qualifications framework practicalities of implementing a European register of quality assurance agencies further development of basic principles for doctoral programmes

Bergen, May 2005:II further report on progress with implementing degree system, quality assurance and recognition of degrees and study periods introducing peer review of quality assurance agencies elaborating national qualifications frameworks awarding and recognising joint degrees creating opportunities for flexible learning paths, including recognition of prior learning ratification of the Lisbon Recognition Convention national plans to improve the recognition of foreign qualifications

Recent elements “social dimension” - economic situation of students, mobility of students and staff, portability of grants and loans and delivery of visas and work permits Links between HE teaching and EU research remit mandate to elaborate strategy for “external dimension” and strengthen attractiveness of European Higher Education Area

Where next? Bologna next Bologna Ministerial London, May UK host and joint chair of meeting with the then EU Presidency (Germany) Leading up to 2007 London conference… Seminars: graduate employability and encouraging the embedding of work related skills widely in HE provision external dimension: attractiveness of EHEA, competitiveness joint degrees doctoral programmes staff mobility recognition of prior learning

Where next? EU and ERA Commission active in promoting university reform through peer learning– funding, autonomy/governance, involvement with business etc: part of Lisbon agenda, building on UK Presidency ERA: working on so-called Framework Programme 7, European Research Council The European Institute of Technology – not another MIT, but something to stimulate world class research and collaboration