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Tempus Project INARM

Webinar
Terminology and some definitions used in the European Higher Education Area

Veronika Nitsche, Dept. Executive Director, WUS Austria February 21, 2013

INTRODUCTION
In higher education throughout the world, different terms are used, or the same terms have different meanings. Therefore I prepared an overview of terms (and their meaning) used in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

This does not mean that the terms used in your/our countries are wrong or that they necessarly have to be changed and/or unified. This overview should only support a better understanding of certain terms used in the EHEA, and not least help us in finding a common language for the implementation of this project.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and that also the terminology used in the EHEA is not consistent!

GLOSSARY (1)
From the glossary of the EHEA:
http://www.ehea.info/article-details.aspx?ArticleId=123#credit

Credit A quantified means of expressing the volume of learning based on the achievement of learning outcomes and their associated workloads. Cycle The three sequential levels identified by the Bologna Process (first cycle, second cycle and third cycle) within which all European higher education qualifications are located.

GLOSSARY (2)
Europe/European Europe/European refers to those countries that are signatories to the Bologna Declaration. Learning outcomes Statements of what a learner is expected to know, understand and/or be able to demonstrate at the end of a period of learning. Levels Represent a series of sequential steps (a developmental continuum), expressed in terms of a range of generic outcomes, against which typical qualifications can be positioned. (-> see e.g. reference levels 1-8 in the EQF)

GLOSSARY (3)
Profile Either the specific (subject) field(s) of learning of a qualification or the broader aggregation of clusters of qualifications or programmes from different fields that share a common emphasis or purpose (e.g. an applied vocational as opposed to more theoretical academic studies). Qualifications (higher education) Any degree, diploma or other certificate issued by a competent authority attesting that particular learning outcomes have been achieved, normally following the successful completion of a recognised higher education programme of study.

GLOSSARY (4)
Qualification descriptors Are generic statements of the outcomes of study. They provide clear points of reference that describe the main outcomes of a qualification often with reference to national levels. (e.g. Dublin Descriptors) Workload A quantitative measure of the learning activities that may feasibly be required for the achievement of the learning outcomes (e.g. lectures, seminars, practical work, private study, information retrieval, research, examinations).

OTHERS TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Course: A course is a unit that typically lasts one academic term and is lead by one or more instructors (teachers or professors). It usually describes an individual subject taken. There are different kind of courses: lectures, seminars, working groups, colloquium, tutorial, laboratory courses, etc. Module: Is a unit consisting of a set of courses belonging to the same discipline/thematic area within one study programm. A module last normally from one to three academic terms. Modularisation is one of the tools that should support mobility and LLL.

Syllabus vs. Curriculum: Whereas a syllabus is typically the description of a course or a module, which includes besides the information on the subject, the lecturer, etc. also the description of learning outcomes, the curriculum is the description of a whole study programm.

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Thank you for your attention!
Veronika Nitsche, veronika.nitsche@wus-austria.org www.wus-austria.org