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What is the European Higher Education Area or EHEA?
The European Higher Education Area is a project undertaken by a group of European Union member states to develop a common higher learning area aimed at:
- Improving the quality of higher education in Europe.
- Ensuring that university degrees are comparable (although that doesn’t mean that they are equal or the same) and promoting exchange programs for students and teaching staff.
The commitment established in the Bologna Declaration of 1999 is to achieve these goals by the year 2010. |
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What are the principal steps being taken as part of the EHEA?
- Adopting a system of university degrees that has two levels (undergraduate and postgraduate) and a structure of three cycles (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies).
- Establishing a common system of credits (ECTS credits) that enables student exchanges.
- Improving the level of information and transparency of training received by students through the introduction of the Diploma Supplement.
- Promoting exchange programs for students, teaching staff and administrative staff at other universities and institutions of higher learning in Europe.
- Driving European collaboration in the area of quality assurance to ensure comparable design criteria and methodologies.
- Promoting lifelong learning to face the challenges of a society in constant change and to improve social cohesion, equality of opportunity and quality of life.
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What are ECTS credits?
ECTS credits are a new way to express students’ workloads in each subject or activity. Under the system that has been used in Spain to date, a credit has corresponded to ten hours of class time, irrespective of how many hours of study or work outside of class were required.
By contrast, the new system is intended to take into account and recognize all the work done by students. As a result, an ECTS credit corresponds to 25-30 hours of work, including:
- Taught classes, theoretical or practical.
- Personal study time, e.g. in the library or at home.
- Participation in seminars, projects, and practical and written assignments.
- Time for preparing and sitting exams and assessment exercises.
This does not mean that more hours are required now. Rather, it takes into account all the hours of work required in an academic year, a subject or an activity. These hours were already necessary before, but they were not counted explicitly.
Now, degrees will be planned according to the criterion that a full-time academic year is equivalent to 60 ECTS credits. In other words, the workload for an academic year, including all work required, will total 1,500 to 1,800 hours. |
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Will classes be taught differently?
The new ECTS credit system gives greater flexibility to how work will be done in each subject. This does not mean that classes will have to be taught differently in all cases. What it does mean, however, is that each subject can be revised flexibly. Changes can be made to what and how the subject matter is taught, including alterations to the activities and materials that are used. For example, more suitable forms of student assessment can be adopted in light of the course objectives to be achieved. |
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What is the difference between bachelor’s studies and postgraduate studies?
One of the changes that the EHEA will bring to all countries is that university studies will be organized on two levels, undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and in three cycles (bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate).
Bachelor’s studies will provide general training to prepare students to enter a profession. Postgraduate studies (master’s and doctoral studies) provide specialized training.
In Spain, bachelor’s degrees have been set at 240 ECTS credits, i.e. four academic years in length. Master’s programs will require 60-120 ECTS credits, i.e. 1-2 academic years in length. |
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When are the new degrees adapted to the EHEA going to start?
In the area of postgraduate studies, a variety of official master’s and doctoral degrees have been offered since the 2006-2007 academic year in all public and private universities in Spain, including the University of Barcelona.
In the area of undergraduate studies, some universities have begun to offer new degrees in the 2008-2009 academic year. The University of Barcelona has decided to start offering new bachelor’s degrees in the 2009-2010 academic year.
In accordance with legislation enacted by the Spanish government, students will no longer be able to pursue studies for a diploma or a former undergraduate degree or to become a technical engineer, engineer, technical architect or architect from the 2010-2011 academic year onward. Universities must have their offering of new bachelor’s degrees ready by that deadline. |
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What happens if I am already enrolled at the University as the new degrees are implemented?
Students who are already enrolled under the previous system when the new degrees are implemented will have to choose one of the following two options:
- Continuing the studies they have begun and obtaining the degree, which will still be valid academically and professionally. A degree under the previous system will be official, valid and recognized to enter a student’s intended profession. If students choose this option, they need to find out the calendar for phasing out the degree, because each degree will be phased out according to a different schedule.
- Changing to the bachelor’s degree that replaces their previous degree. If students choose this option, they need to consult the adaptation tables that will be published for each new degree.
The adaptation tables will show whether students can get recognition in their new degree for subjects they have already completed for their previous degree.
As a result, the tables will clarify which subjects in the new degrees must still be taken by each student beyond the subjects that already appear in the student’s academic record. |
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What will happen with my studies and my current degree? Will they still be valid in the future?
Current degrees will continue to be valid. In addition, most of the current undergraduate degrees will continue to be offered as bachelor’s degrees, while new degrees will also be created. Individuals holding official university qualifications earned under the current university system, such as diploma-holders and undergraduate degree-holders, will continue to have the same rights as before and they will be able to seek admission to the new master’s degree and doctoral programs. |
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Will my degree be recognized abroad?
Existing degrees are currently valid in Spain, but they must be homologated abroad. The Diploma Supplement will make the recognition of qualifications and degrees much easier, and it will facilitate the academic and professional mobility of students and teaching staff. |
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What is the Diploma Supplement?
It is an officially recognized document that accompanies a student’s official degree. It contains all the important information on the studies completed by the student.
The document provides objective data on a student’s completed subjects, the results achieved, the professional capabilities acquired and the level of the degree earned. As a result, it serves as the quickest, most transparent reference and source of recognition for the studies that a student has completed in other European universities.
As a result, every student will have not only a degree, but also a document that contains additional information that can be easily understood in any other country in the EHEA. (The current number of EHEA members is 46.) That means that it will be useful for graduates in seeking employment in any other member country or in continuing their studies. |
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What are “minor” degrees?
Universities can, if they choose, include a “minor” degree after each bachelor’s degree awarded. A “minor” degree specifies a different specialization or pathway within the same curriculum of the degree awarded. The designation of a “minor” degree will appear on the Diploma Supplement, not on the degree itself. |
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Will student exchanges still be possible?
Facilitating student exchanges with other Spanish or European universities is a key objective of the EHEA. To meet this objective, a variety of exchange programs are being promoted, such as Erasmus and Seneca. In addition, all the barriers that impeded the effective operation of the ECTS system will be eliminated to make credit transfer and accumulation easier. As a result, a student who goes on an exchange program will receive recognition for any studies completed at other European universities. |
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What degrees will be available now?
The new model will eliminate the distinctions among first-cycle degrees (diplomas, technical engineering and technical architecture) and second-cycle degrees (undergraduate, engineering and architecture). It will also reduce the distinctions among third-cycle degrees (master’s programs, postgraduate courses and doctoral programs). The new model will offer only bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctorates.
Unlike the previous model, the new model will not involve a list of degrees established by the government. Rather, the universities will be allowed to propose any degrees which they believe to be needed, provided that the proposal is validated by an institution called the Council of Universities. The new approach will foster the autonomy of the universities. |
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What does “recognition of credits” mean?
“Recognition of credits” means that a university accepts the credits obtained by a student in other official degree programs, either in the same university or in other universities.
In accordance with current legislation, credits obtained in basic training course units will receive recognition in other degree programs, provided that they relate to the same broad area of knowledge. |
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What are the broad areas of knowledge?
Under the new model, degrees will be organized into five broad areas of knowledge: Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Architecture, Health Sciences, Sciences and Social Sciences.
Every degree must be affiliated with one of these broad areas of knowledge. |
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Will I have to do a master’s degree?
It will not be compulsory to do a master’s degree. The bachelor’s degree is equivalent to the former undergraduate degree and it is designed to provide sufficient training to enable a student to seek qualified employment.
Bachelor’s degrees will be generalist in nature, while master’s degrees will aim to provide additional training that is specialized in nature. The two-level structure will enable graduates to seek admission to any master’s program, but it will also mean that a single master’s program may attract graduates from a variety of different bachelor’s programs.
There will be three different types of master’s degree programs, based on their focus:
- Professional
- Research
- Academic or mixed (with both a professional and a research focus)
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How is an official master’s degree different from a UB-specific master’s degree (like we have had until now)?
Official master’s degrees must be approved by the Council of Universities before they are offered, while UB-specific master’s degrees do not require external approval. As a result, official master’s degrees are formally recognized throughout Spain and in all other countries in the EHEA, while UB-specific master’s degrees are not.
In addition, the fees for official master’s degrees are publicly regulated by the governments of the autonomous communities, while university-specific master’s degrees are not. |
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How much will it cost me now to study for a bachelor’s or master’s degree?
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees will have publicly regulated fees. In Catalonia, legislation on fees for the 2008-2009 academic year establishes ranges of 13.25-21.30 euros per credit for bachelor’s degrees and 16.01-29.88 euros per credit for master’s degrees. Fees will be reviewed annually by the Generalitat of Catalonia. |
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How is the quality of the new degrees going to be assured?
All official bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees will be subject to continuous assessment through the use of quality assurance protocols by external assessment agencies. Degrees earning a positive evaluation will receive accreditation and European recognition.
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What are the advantages of the new degrees?
- The new degrees will be recognized by all countries in the EHEA, increasing students’ professional and study opportunities.
- The three-tiered system of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees is already in operation in most countries around the world, so the new degrees will be easier to compare.
- With the new degrees, if a student wants to change from one degree to another one in the same area of knowledge (in the same university or in a different one), the student’s earned credits in basic subjects will receive recognition.
- For the first time in Spain, official master’s degrees will receive public funding at publicly regulated fee levels.
- Degrees at all universities will be reviewed and updated. Increasing the diversity and flexibility of learning activities will enable different subjects to meet their unique objectives more effectively.
- The new credit system will take into account the actual hours required by students to complete courses, rather than only reflecting the amount of class time required. This change will improve educational planning, better enable pathways to be created for part-time students, and introduce flexibility in the regulations governing student enrolment and continuance.
- Greater importance will be given to the ability to apply acquired knowledge; knowledge is important, but being able to use that knowledge is also important.
- More value will be placed on a student’s work, rather than on mere class attendance.
- Assessment systems will take into account all course work done by a student, not just a single final exam.
- The Diploma Supplement and credit system will much more effectively show what a student has actually accomplished at any given moment.
- Work placements can be introduced into curricula more broadly, rather than remaining an option reserved for a limited number of students.
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Can I combine studying and working at the same time?
With the new bachelor’s degrees, students will be able to combine studying and working. Although students are expected to attend classes, the proportion of class time will be reduced. The new system establishes a right to pursue part-time curriculum options for students who work a set number of hours and are unable to attend class. |
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Don’t fewer credits mean less knowledge?
The new bachelor’s degrees will require a total of 240 credits, while the previous degrees generally required 300 credits. However, the length of degrees will be the same (4 years), and the work required of students in the new subjects and curricula will also be the same. The new structure aims to train students not only in theory, but also in skills and abilities so that they can apply their theoretical knowledge. |
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With an undergraduate degree, will I be able to get into any master’s degree program?
Yes. Anyone who has earned a bachelor’s degree will be able to apply for admission to any master’s degree. However, each master’s degree program can set its own admission criteria. Therefore, admission is not automatic.
The following web page contains a list of the official master’s degrees offered in the 2009-2010 academic year, including descriptions and admission requirements: http://www.ub.edu/masteroficial |
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What are “income-contingent loans”?
Graduates who want to pursue an official master’s degree in any of the 46 EHEA member countries will be able to apply for an income-contingent loan at no interest to help them pay for fees and personal expenses while they study. Repayment of the loan will not begin until a student has finished the master’s degree and started earning sufficient income to afford repayment. If a student does not meet the requirements for repayment after 15 years, the loan or any part that has not yet been repaid will be set aside and the student will not be required to repay it. |
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Will I have to do a work placement in a company?
Work placements in companies are not compulsory. Each degree will determine whether work placement in a company or institution is required in its curriculum. Work placements can be paid or unpaid. They cannot exceed 60 ECTS credits. |
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What kinds of grants will be available in the new bachelor’s degree programs?
The SpanishMinistry of Education, Social Policy and Sport has unified the application procedure for all general and exchange grants for the 2008-2009 academic year. If you would like to apply for any grants, consult the web page http://www.ub.edu/acad/beques/1r2ncicle/ub12.htm to get all the necessary information. |
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