The European Students’ Union REPRESENTING STUDENTS SINCE 1982 Cristi Popescu – Executive Committe Member European context of QA ESPAQ Training Yerevan, 23rd-25th of November

What is ESU? The European Students' Union (ESU) is an umbrella organisation of 45 National Unions of Students from 38 different countries. Through its members, ESU represents over 11 million students in Europe. The aim of ESU is to represent and promote the educational, social, economic and cultural interests of students at the European level towards all relevant bodies.

BOLOGNA PROCESS

QUALITY EDUCATION

No general definition! The meaning of this concept is different from country to country, from stakeholder to stakeholder, from institution to institution, from individual to individual. We, as student, should have our own way to define what education of good quality means.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

By the term “quality assurance” we are refering to all activities leading not only to ensure the delivery higher education in all forms according to agreed standards, but also to enhance higher education provision within the continuous improvement cycle.

Internal QA vs. External QA

ESG 2015

Set of standards and guidelines for QA in EHEA agreed by all relevant stakeholders They are not a definition of what quality education means, but they provide guidance, covering areas which are vital for succesful quality provisions and learning environments Standard = what to do (”should”); Guideline = why is important; how can you do it;

Principles of ESG 2015 Higher education institutions have primary responsibility for the quality of their provision and its assurance; Quality assurance responds to the diversity of higher education systems, institutions, programmes and students; Quality assurance supports the development of a quality culture; Quality assurance takes into account the needs and expectations of students, all other stakeholders and society.

ESG 2015 Three parts: I.SG for internal quality assurance II.SG for external quality assurance III.SG for quality assurance agencies

Standards for internal QA 1.1 Policy for quality assurance Institutions should have a policy for quality assurance that is made public and forms part of their strategic management. Internal stakeholders should develop and implement this policy through appropriate structures and processes, while involving external stakeholders.

Standards for internal QA 1.2 Design and approval of programmes Institutions should have processes for the design and approval of their programmes. The programmes should be designed so that they meet the objectives set for them, including the intended learning outcomes. The qualification resulting from a programme should be clearly specified and communicated, and refer to the correct level of the national qualifications framework for higher education and, consequently, to the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area.

Standards for internal QA 1.3 Student-centred learning, teaching and assessment Institutions should ensure that the programmes are delivered in a way that encourages students to take an active role in creating the learning process, and that the assessment of students reflects this approach.

Standards for internal QA 1.5 Teaching staff Institutions should assure themselves of the competence of their teachers. They should apply fair and transparent processes for the recruitment and development of the staff.

Standards for internal QA 1.6 Learning resources and student support Institutions should have appropriate funding for learning and teaching activities and ensure that adequate and readily accessible learning resources and student support are provided.

Standards for internal QA 1.7 Information management Institutions should ensure that they collect, analyse and use relevant information for the effective management of their programmes and other activities.

Standards for internal QA 1.8 Public information Institutions should publish information about their activities, including programmes, which is clear, accurate, objective, up-to date and readily accessible.

Standards for internal QA 1.9 On-going monitoring and periodic review of programmes Institutions should monitor and periodically review their programmes to ensure that they achieve the objectives set for them and respond to the needs of students and society. These reviews should lead to continuous improvement of the programme. Any action planned or taken as a result should be communicated to all those concerned.

Standards for internal QA 1.10 Cyclical external quality assurance Institutions should undergo external quality assurance in line with the ESG on a cyclical basis.

The European Students’ Union REPRESENTING STUDENTS SINCE 1982

The European Students’ Union Rue de l’Industrie 10 · 1000 Brussels, Belgium · Tel: · European Students’ ESU has received financial support from the European Commission through Erasmus+ Programme: KA3, Support for Policy Reform- Civil society cooperation in the field of education and training. ESU Brussels esutwt