Bologna Process at the University of Helsinki

University of Helsinki

June 2005

http://www.helsinki.fi/tutkinnonuudistus/english/

General aims of the Bologna Process

Promotion of the European Higher Education Area Harmonisation of higher education in Europe Adoption of a two-cycle degree system Establishment of a system of credits (ECTS) Promotion of mobility Development of quality assurance systems for higher

education Promotion of the transparency of education in Europe

Specific aims of the Bologna Process at the University of Helsinki

The quality of degrees in the faculties The emphasis on research in the basic degrees The Master’s degree will be the primary aim, the

Bachelor’s degree an interim aim The multidisciplinarity of degrees will be furthered by

minor subject studies

Development of the Quality of Education

Evaluation of the Quality of Education and the Degree

Programmes at the University of Helsinki 2001-2002

Programme for The Development of Teaching and

Studies at the University of Helsinki 2004-2006

Teaching Evaluation Matrix

The objectives for the years 2004-2006

The Strategic Plan of the University of Helsinki The Programme for the Development of Teaching and

Studies The Strategy for International Activities The Stategy of Virtual University Development of libraries and knowledge management

General features of the Bologna Process at the University of Helsinki

The faculties responsible for the quality of

degrees The Ministry of Education provided project

funding for 2004-2006 A support group for the reform of degree

structures established in spring 2003

Two-cycle model for basic degrees

The two-cycled basic degree will consist of the Bachelor’s degree

(180 credits / 3 years) and

the Master’s degree

(120 credits / 2 years)

The third cycle will consist of postgraduate

studies (leading to a postgraduate degree)

Alternatives for the structure of basic degrees

Examples

Reform of the Degree Structure at Finnish Universities

The Universities Act and the Decree on Degrees Role of the Ministry of Education in the reform of the

degree structure National field-specific coordination groups National joint projects Monitoring of the reform of the degree structure

Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council

The universities’ own evaluations of education and teaching

Concepts Related to the Reform of the Degree Structure

Two-tier basic degree structure Curriculum Credits (ECTS) Academic curriculum core analysis Quality of education and degrees

Organisation of the Reform of the degree Structure at the University of Helsinki

Faculties and departments Support group for the reform of degree structures Special resources Student participation

Official and unofficial University forums and networks

Degree reform network Heads of Academic Affairs Vice-Deans Deans Faculty councils Department councils University level committees (Academic Affairs, Virtual

University, Library etc.) Faculty level committees Etc.

Internal cooperation in the reform of degree structure

Faculties

Network ofVice-Deans

responsible forAcademic

Affairs

Support group

National field-specificcoordination groups

Faculty Councils

Rector´sSteering

CommitteeUniversity

Senate

LibraryCommittee

Network offaculties´Heads

of AcademicAffairs

ContactPersons for

Specialists inNetwork-based

Education

AcademicAffairs

Committeesof faculties

Unofficialmeetings

and events

Meetings betw.faculties &the support

group

Seminars,public eventsand traíning

DepartmentCouncils

DegreeReformNetwork

(40) Network of Deans

OodiConsortium,

Student registrationNetwork ofExperts of

EducationalDevelopment&

Research

Virtual UniversityCommittee

Academic Affairs

Committee

Infrastructure and administration

Development of the student register for the needs of

the new degree structure Support to the reform of degree structures

Staff training

Consultation

Information related to the degree reform Web pages

Events

University magazines and internet newsletters

Etc.

International cooperation

Tuning –project Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

Bologna Laboratory (UNICA network) Joint degrees

Trends IV

Common Principles approved by the University of Helsinki

Length of degrees (3 years+2 year

The extent of basic, intermediate, advanced

studies and studies of teacher education

Theses and their extent

Minor subject studies

Language studies and ICT studies, practical

training and labour market orientation and

personal study plan

Grading scales and minimum ECTS credits for

a course

Teaching periods

Transfer to Master’s degree studies after the

Bachelor’s degree

The principles of Master’s programmes and

joint degrees

Principles applying to the transition period

International dimension of degrees

Diploma, diploma supplement and student

record transcripts

Changes in student admission resulting from

the reform of the degree structure

Monitoring study progress

Quality assurance

Grading scales

Course grading scale: 0-5 (no relative grading) Bachelor’s thesis grading scale: 0-5 Master’s thesis grading scale: 7-tier scale in Latin Grading scales used since 1.8.2005

Duties of the Support Group

Coordination of the reform of degree structures and

cooperation between faculties Follow-up and promotion of strategies relevant to the

reform of degree structures Preparation of principles at the university level Guidelines, recommendations and scheduling of the

reform Information and training at the university level (www, in-

house publications, visits to faculties and departments,

best practices) National and international cooperation relating to the

reform of degree structures

Composition of the Support Group

Chair: Vice-Rector Hannele Niemi

(responsible for teaching at the University) 8 other members

2 student representatives

1 professor

3 vice-deans

1 senior assistant

Head of Academic Affairs

not all faculties are represented

A team of three administrators is responsible for the

preparation of matters dealt with by the Support Group

The Personal Study Plans at the University of Helsinki

The performance agreement for 2004-2006 signed by the

UH and the Ministry of Education states that the

University will introduce a system of Personal Study Plans

written by students in all fields of education

The Personal Study Plan is concidered to be significant in

supporting student´s study process

What is the Personal Study Plan?

In the UH the Personal Study Plan is a study planning

and guidance tool. It supports students in managing the

process of studying

The Personal Study Plan will be formulated in

consultation with the student´s supervisors troughout the

period of study

The Personal Study Plan will be approached as a process

affecting the entire study period and will be designed to

support the development of the student´s academic

expertise

Principles of the Personal Study Plan by the University Senate

The Personal Study Plan will form a part of the

requirements for the Bachelor´s and Master´s degrees

The workload of the Personal Study Plan will be

equivalent to 1-3 ECTS credits in the Bachelor´s and 1-2

ECTS credits in the Master´s degree

The Personal Study Plan may be integrated with other

courses

The Personal Study Plan will be ongoing troughout the

student´s studies

The Personal Study plan is flexible and you can get e.g.

your minor subject studies, practical training and student

exchange scheduled in your plan. This will help you to

see your studies a whole

The way in which the Personal Study Plan is integrated

with the teaching and how it will be taken into practice will

vary according to the field of study More detailed information you can get at your faculty or

department

An electric personal study planning tool (eHOPS tool) is

being developed as a part of the WebOodi system. The

eHOPS tool will be taken into practice during 2006

Who will adopt the Personal Study Plan?

All the new students starting their studies after 1.8.2005

The students who have started their studies before 2005

AND have decided to adopt the new degree system may

adopt the Personal Study Plan depending on their faculty Please contact your faculty/department for more specific

information