Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Workshop Tempus

BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

19-21 October 2005

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Situation in Flanders

Spring 2002: rumors and talk

Autumn 2002: definition of body of educations that the institutions want to offer April 2003: governmental decree

BA1 started in October 2004

MA1 will start in October 2007

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Timetable at Ghent University

Autumn 2003: programming the curricula

Spring 2004: information campaign for new students

October 2004: start of new programmes

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Timetable at the Faculty of Sciences

Spring 2003: disagreement with central management about 3+1 versus 3+2 and uncertainty on the government level

Autumn 2003: programming of BA curricula only

October 2004: start of new programmes

Now: programming of MA curricula?

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

3+1 versus 3+2: the actorsBoards of Education within the Faculties of Sciences

Management of the Faculties of Sciences (Deans)

Management of the universities (Rectors and their Boards) and the Associations

Students

Commission for Recognition (“Erkenningscommissie”)

Government

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

The board of education: 3+2

Heterogeneous level of competences in sciences of incoming students versus higher demands on final competences that the university education has to deliver

Visitations ask for a broadening of the scope of the educations and more “interdisciplinary” courses

3+1 is worse than 2+2: imbalance between BA and MA

Visitations strongly recommend 5 year study

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

The board of education: 3+2 (cont.)International situation

Hard to program a master thesis in a MA program that takes only 1 year

Hard to prepare students for a PhD study in 1 year: not enough time to acquire the specialized competences

Uncertain consequences of 3+1 for the status of our education on an international forum

French speaking community: 3+2

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

The Deans of Faculties of Sciences: 3+2

Same arguments as their Boards of Education

Unanimous voice

All Faculties of Sciences should be treated the same way

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

University management: mixed opinions

Rector is a very important player

Issues concerning financing

Issues concerning the relation with the “Hochschule” in the Association

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Students: mixed opinions

Student delegations in Boards of Education: unanimously positive

The politically engaged faction initially negative

Now: all student bodies are positive

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

The commission for recognition: mixed opinions

Advises the government, generally in the spring of each year, over the proposals of the institutions

Generally recognizes that some science educations need a 5 year study

Issues a stronger 3+2 advice in 2005 than in 2004

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

The Government: initially reluctant

Worries about finances

Generally a good European student

Worries about perception of the public

Worries about perception of the students

Strong statements in the past continue to color the debate

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Latest developments in 3+1 vs 3+2

Provisional acceptance of 3+2 for all science educations, except geography and informatics

Acceptance contingent on “Proof of Capacity”

Commission of recognition will advise

Modalities as yet unknown

Deadline for the universities: 31 December 2005

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Mobility at the Faculty of Sciences

Current situation:

outgoing mobility in 3rd or 4th year can and should be improved

incoming mobility: successful !

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Mobility at Bachelor level

Bachelor mobility can lead to international orientation in the master programmes

Bachelor diploma can lead directly to the job market. We owe it these students to offer them the possibility of an international experience

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Vehicles to increase quantity and quality of student mobility

Create a curricular framework

Create a network of partners

Shorter study abroad periods

Integrated programmes with double or joint degrees

Correct use of ECTS

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Internationalisation at Home (IaH)

English courses/options

Teaching by invited professors for (short term) courses as part of the standard curriculum

Can lead to BA at home – (part of) MA abroad

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Case study: chemistry

General European framework: Eurobachelor

2nd semester 3rd BA-year: option “European experience”

Small number of partners

Students get a structured programme abroad that is well known at the home institution: more security for students

Workshop BA/MA: 3+1 or 3+2 ?

Conclusion

Mobility in bachelor programmes is necessary!

Important experience for the student (scientific and personal)

Important as a taste of international experience for further study abroad periods during master, PhD or job

Important element in the accreditation of the curricula Important for competition on international

(education) market