In our study guidance we noticed that it is especially the current debate about the reform decided in the Bologna Declaration of 1999 and its consequences, which catch your interest. No wonder, considering that within near future the whole European Higher Education Area will be completely reorganised. There has never been a restructuring in this extent, and of course, this creates a lot of questions.
What exactly is a bachelor's or a master's degree?
The bachelor's and master's degree classifies your study. With the bachelor students attend a final degree only after three or four years, which allows you to enter the labour market directly. Only who wants to deepen his knowledge goes on to the master's degree. By this structuring of the studies the time of studies shall be shortened, the professional qualification improved and it contributes to the mobility of the students. Because your course achievements are rated with credit points, the performances and courses at other universities can be recognised more easily.
In which way does the reform affect the traditional cycle-system?
As the two-cycle system (bachelor/master) is a traditional and integral part of the UK higher education system - broadly in line with Bologna recommendations - there is no need to alter current structural arrangements in the UK. Lately there are discussions about regulations concerning the third cycle of higher education, the doctorates, but the development tends to flexible programmes.
Will all courses of study be adapted?
Yes, all courses will be fitted to the two-cycle system (three-cycle system, including doctorates). The issues of the Bologna Declaration signed in 1999 - the adaptation was decided here - has to be transformed into national law. At the moment there are still discussions about the compatibility with Bologna requirements of one-year master's (instead of usually two-year master's in other European countries) and integrated master's degrees (e.g. MPharm, MEng).
What is meant by structuring the class schedule into modules?
Courses with similar contents will be summarised in modules with overarching themes. A tighter organization of the schedules is the idea behind this structuring. The courses shall last over a maximum of one year (two terms) and at best give access to different branches of study (e.g. there could be a module "marketing" in economics). Furthermore universities are urged to define targets of each branch of study in order to help the students planning their study.
Are there any changes in the credit systems?
Throughout the UK there exist various credit accumulation and transfer systems. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) was introduced as a part of the Erasmus framework and is the only system which has been successfully used across Europe. Although ECTS is not specifically required by the Bologna Process, but a credit system compatible with ECTS, it is likely that in the future the use of ECTS will continue to be extended among UK institutions. The application of credit systems to doctoral studies is still part of the debate.
What is a Diploma Supplement?
A Diploma Supplement is a document which describes additional information to the graduation of a student. It explains the admission conditions, specifies core subjects or key aspects of the study programme and gives information about held internships. It also describes type and duration of the final thesis. It is an attempt to facilitate comparison of qualities gained in higher education systems. Every degree gets its own profile, albeit having the same title.
Can it happen to me that because of a bad bachelor's degree I won't be admitted to a master's degree?
Yes, it can happen. Master's degrees are meant to be a further specification for highly skilled students in scientific fields. Since you usually have to reapply for a master's degree, a bad bachelor's degree can put an early end to your university career. However the admission conditions for each master's degree are placed by the universities on their own. In some cases special regulations do exist. For further queries the study guidance of each university can help you best.
Is it possible to go on to a master's degree with a Foundation degree?
The Foundation degrees were introduced in 2001. Given the nature of this qualification - seen as an equivalent to the first stages of a degree - it is not possible to go directly on to a postgraduate study. However, if you already have a Foundation degree, you can convert it into a bachelor's degree joining special courses, which last a maximum extra of four terms at an English or Welsh University. Foundation degrees are not provided in Scotland.
What about tuition fees? Hasn't the fee system changed recently?
Yes, since 2006 universities in England are able to charge undergraduate UK students up to £3,000 per annum in course fees. Up-front payments are abolished and instead you can take out a loan for fees repayable only after you are earning more than £15,000. Similar fee deferral arrangements are planned for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Since amounts vary between courses as well as between different universities and colleges, it helps you a lot having a look at the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service’s (UCAS) website.
Why has the implementation of the reform so heavily been discussed?
The reform is not just a formal renaming. Critics fear that many universities might not centre the improvement as regards content, which is the essential part of the reform. Shortening the courses or rename them is not what the "inventors" intended.
What does "accreditation" mean?
Quality assurance plays a central role in achieving the objective to enhance the international competitiveness of European Higher Education. Therefore the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) charges agencies with reviewing the quality of teaching and learning, in order to make it easier to compare qualifications and simplify recognition across Europe. The work of those agencies is similar to controlling technical standards of cars. The courses are checked for their capabilities in qualifying for business and for their content.