Enhancing cooperation in designing and implementing joint degree programs a Finnish perspective. Carita Blomqvist

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1 Enhancing cooperation in designing and implementing joint degree programs a Finnish perspective Carita Blomqvist

2 Facilitating cooperation and quality in joint degree programmes Ministry of Education issued a recommendation on development of international joint and double degrees in 2004 National Board of Education, in co-operation with the Ministry, higher education institutions (HEI) and CIMO prepared a memo on design and implementation of joint and double degrees already in 2005 HEIs have prepared further institution-specific guidelines with respect to their own policies

3 National memo on design and implementation of joint/double degrees The memo lists aspects that Finnish HEIs designing joint degree programs are recommended to take into account As applicable, the instructions can be used also within the international consortium as a means for cooperation and better understanding of the national starting points Fourth revision of the memo available in Finnish, Swedish and English was prepared in 2012

4 National memo on design and implementation of joint/double degrees Structure 1. Why a joint/double degree? 2. Co-operation within the consortium and an individual higher education institution 2.1 Co-operation partners and co-operation within the consortium 2.2 Co-operation within a higher education institution 3. Program resources 4. Agreements 5. Student admissions 5.1 Admission criteria 5.2 Admission procedures 5.3 The student s status

5 National memo on design and implementation of joint/double degrees 6. Content, structure and learning outcomes of a degree program 7. Organizing the degree program 7.1 Questions relating to mobility 7.2 Forms and methods of teaching, student assessment 7.3 Guidance and counseling 8. Degree, degree certificate and Diploma Supplement 8.1 Degree certificate 8.2 Diploma Supplement (DS) 9. Information about and marketing of the degree program: prospectus, website 10. Quality assurance, program monitoring and evaluation

6 Why a joint/double degree? Demand for a joint degree and educational needs in a broader sense Added value brought to existing degrees, such as potential expansion of educational provision Any other possible connections to existing degrees Objectives of a joint degree Links to education, research and the world of work Benefits for the unit/higher education institution Adding an international perspective, bringing quality assurance to student and teacher exchanges Duration and continuity of the programme

7 Degree/legal basis Government Decree: Education leading to a higher education degree may also be provided as international co-operation. The premise of the Finnish higher education system is that any higher education degree is always conferred by a HEI. The HEI conferring the degree is responsible for the quality of the degree and for ensuring that the degree fulfils the criteria specified.

8 Degree From the perspective of recognition, it is important for a joint degree programme to lead to a degree conforming to the system of higher education degrees in at least one of the participating countries. If those completing the programme are to be awarded several degrees, it is necessary to determine the status of each degree within each country s national higher education degree system.

9 Degree certificate/legal basis The participating HEIs must decide what types of degree certificates and other certificates to award for the degrees completed. If the HEIs award a joint degree certificate, they need to decide on the details included on the certificate and on its signatories and layout. With regard to degrees falling within the Finnish higher education degree system, the award of degree certificates must comply with national legislation and any possible institutional policies of the HEI involved.

10 Degree certificate/legal basis A Finnish HEI will award degree certificates to students that it has admitted to a degree programme, provided that they have completed their studies according to the requirements. A Finnish HEI may only award certificates for degrees that it is authorised to confer. National legislation does not preclude degree certificates from being awarded by one or more foreign HEIs alongside a Finnish HEI.

11 Degree certificate/legal basis If a Finnish HEI awards a joint foreign-language degree certificate for a foreign-language degree together with other HEIs participating in a joint degree programme, it must also award an identical degree certificate in Finnish or Swedish, depending on its language of instruction and examination. A degree certificate may also be bilingual or multilingual, including the same texts in the language of the joint degree programme and the Finnish HEI s language of instruction and examination, as well as in any other languages that may be required.

12 Thank you for your interest! More information: Finnish National Board of Education (-> International co-operation on recognition of qualifications) Centre for International Mobility CIMO