1 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 Response of Ireland’s Higher Education System to Bologna Dr Patrick Cashell University of Limerick and Secretary, European Association for Institutional Research

2 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 IRELAND’S HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS Universities/University-level Designated Institutions10 Institutes of Technology14 Colleges of Education6 Other12

The National Framework of Qualifications – award-types and awarding bodies

4 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006

5 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 Some features of Ireland’s Higher Education System Participlation in Higher Education in Ireland is high by European standards 38% cf 32% (20 yrs old) Ireland is 2 nd of 17 re Diploma/Certificate 8 th of 21 re Bachelors Degree 13 th of 27 re Advanced Research Degree (OECD Reports, 2004) Ireland’s admission rate to Higher Education has steadily increased (from 0.20) in 1980, to 0.55 (in 2004) In 2004 new entrantsUniversity Sector 47% Institutes of Technology 42% Colleges of Education 5% Other 6%

6 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 Ireland’s Response and ‘Fit’ to Bologna NQAI Award Framework Some Bachelors 3 yrs duration, some = 4 years Ordinary Bachelors = 3 years Progression Bachelors → Masters not automatic; there is normally a qualification threshold. PhD now considered 4 th level (level 10)

7 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 ISSUES ECTS Compliance Diploma Supplement Promotion/Facilitation of mobility (Faculty/Students) Articulation of Learning Outcomes Development/Implementation of ‘EUROPASS’ - Diploma Supplement - CV - Language Competence

8 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 Almost all countries have made provsion for a QA system based on the criteria of the Berlin Communiqué Adoption of standards and guidelines for QA in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Introduction of model of peer review on a national basis Implementation developed by ENQA (In cooperation of EUA, EURASHE and ESIB) Quality Assurance (Berlin & Bergen)

9 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 Quality Assurance in Ireland’s Institutions Ireland’s Higher Education Institutions have comprehensively engaged in the QA/QI process The Universities’ QA process was reviewed in some detail by EUA panels, appointed by the HEA, Ireland’s Higher Education funding agency. At the launch of the report, the Minister for Education and Science stated: “The Report…confirms the seriousness of the approach of each of our universities to Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement…” and “…the systematic organisation and promotion of quality assurance at the initiative of the universities themselves [here] is unparalleled in any other country in Europe or in the US or Canada….”.

10 AIR FORUM – CHICAGO MAY 2006 Students’ Views – students in focus groups ……. ESIB Position ECTS Credits re. extracurricular activities Credits for work placement Experiential Learning v Two different duration Masters Three Year Bachelors’, Non Progression to Masters Economy/Labour Market unaware of new structures Student involvement not included in QA procedures (some countries) Students as Partners