The role of credit transfer systems in opening access, admission and exemption between vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE) Malta an example of compatibility, comparability and complementarity of the credit transfer systems for VET and HE for the purpose of permeability Thessaloniki, 22-23 May 2014 Ronald Curmi Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology
Setting the Scene As a small state, Malta s further and higher education sectors are largely dominated by the University of Malta (UoM) which has a long tradition and is the main academic provider, while the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Institute of Tourism Studies are the main and more recent VET providers During the last decade Malta has seen the establishment of the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) as well as the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) that is fully mapped and referenced to the EQF There are other FE and HE private providers on the island all regulated by the NCFHE The recent years have brought about the discussion of permeability between VET and HE systems and this has been spurred further with the introduction of ECVET mainly adopted by MCAST and ITS.
Compatibility, comparability and complementarity of ECTS and ECVET for permeability ECTS is a well established system that is currently widely used by higher education institutions How can compatibility of ECVET to ECTS be portrayed? Compatibility Workload Level Total student workload can be measured in credits. In case of Malta 1 ECVET = 25Hrs = 1 ECTS Learning Outcomes are pegged to the same MQF/EQF 8 level system Having the same yardstick helps making the systems more transparent and hence compatible
Compatibility, comparability and complementarity of ECTS and ECVET for permeability Can qualification designed using ECTS and ECVET be considered comparable? Comparability Entry Requirements Many tend to compare qualification not only by the level and credits but also by the entry requirements Trust The issue of comparability also affects permeability due to lack of trust by the receiving institution especially in the assessment methods used. Probably on of the highest stumbling blocks to permeability is comparability of qualifications for admissions purposes.
Compatibility, comparability and complementarity of ECTS and ECVET for permeability The vocational and academic route are certainly two different methods of learning, but are they in fact seen by stakeholders as complementary or competing routes? Complementarity Academic Vocational Perceived as more rigorous especially by institutions traditionally tied to exams and synoptic assessment Traditionally more hands on in both delivery and assessment provides a different skill base. Some academic institutions, particularly universities, may perceive vocational qualifications not as a complementary and feeder route but as a threat or as a lower quality.
Current Practice MCAST, as a the main VET provider in Malta, has designed a qualification structure that can be clearly understood by academic and vocational institutions Level 7 University Level 6 MCAST Vocational Degrees Total 180/240 Credits Level 5 MCAST Higher Diplomas 120 Credits Level 4 MCAST Advanced Diplomas 120 Credits Level 3 MCAST Diplomas 60 Credits Level 2 MCAST Foundation Certificates 60 Credits Level 1 MCAST Introductory Certificates 40 Credits
Current Practice The main dialogue on permeability in Malta is largely between the larger players UoM, MCAST and ITS MCAST launched its vocational degrees in 2009 thus offering courses form MQF/EQF Level 1 to Level 6 ITS provides courses up to Level 5 while students can continue studying at Level 6 at the University of Malta MCAST is in continuous dialogue with UoM in order to provide progression and permeability to MCAST students. MCAST Degree students are generally admitted to Master s Degree courses at UoM and other universities across borders MCAST and UoM hold open discussions on direct progression from Level 4 and 5 courses at MCAST to Level 6 at UoM
Current Practice Successful Level 4 and Level 5 candidates at MCAST are being offered selected routes into Bachelor programmes at UoM thus providing progression through recognition of the L4 programme in addition to other entry requirements In some cases, successful Level 5 candidates can also access selected Bachelor programmes at UoM through APL thus being exempted from parts of the programme at University MCAST accredits prior learning gained at UoM and other institutions and private providers for exemption into all its programmes on the basis of comparability of credits and subject area (learner centred approach vs programme approach)
Learning context A Transcript of record Learning context B Assessment of L.O. Credit for L.O. Validation of L.O. Recognition of L.O. Accumulation of L.O.
Current Models of Permeability Admission Full UoM Bachelor Programme (180/240 ECTS) Exemption UoM Bachelor Programme Final 2 years only (120 ECTS) Preparatory Units at MCAST or additional entry requirements MCAST Level 5 Programme (120 ECTS) + other GR MCAST VET Level 4 Programme (120 ECVET) MCAST VET Level 4 Programme (120 ECVET)
Examples (VET > UoM) Bachelor of Commerce(Honours) MCAST Diploma in Banking and Financial Services + Intermediate Level Pure Mathematics Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care MCAST Diploma in Children s Care + 1 Advanced Level Certificate + Proficiency test in Maltese & English Language (4 year programme) Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care MCAST Higher National Diploma + Passes in Maltese, English Language and ECDL > 2 year programme (exemption through accreditation of the 120 credits of HND) Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Secondary Education (Technical Design and Technology ) MCAST HND + English Language + ECDL
Examples (VET >UoM) Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) MCAST HND or MCAST Diploma in Industrial Electronics + SEC English Language and Maltese Diploma in Health Science (Nursing Studies) MCAST BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care (Health Studies) Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence) MCAST BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computing + Pure Mathematics at Advanced Level. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology (Computing and Business) MCAST HND in Computing + 5 SEC passes including English Language and Maltese; a pass in Systems of Knowledge; a pass at Intermediate level in Pure Mathematics
Examples (VET >UoM) Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Computer Engineering) five passes in the SEC Examination, including: English Language and Maltese; and either the MCAST Diploma in Industrial Electronics or the MCAST BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in an area deemed to be relevant to the Course by the Board of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology. Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Digital Arts MCAST BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in a related subject; and an Advanced Level pass in Art; and passes at Grade 5 or better in the Secondary Education Certificate Examination in English Language, Mathematics and Maltese.
Examples (VET >UoM) Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Technology (Honours) MCAST Diploma for Pharmacy Technicians; and an Advanced Level pass at Grade D or better in Chemistry, and passes at Grade 5 or better the Secondary Education Certificate in English Language, Mathematics and Maltese Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Tourism Studies) Applicants who are in possession of the Higher Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management awarded by the Institute of Tourism Studies (Malta), or an equivalent qualification, may be admitted to Year 2 of the Course
Examples (Academic > VET) MCAST accredits prior learning gained at UoM and other institutions and private providers for exemption into all its programmes on the basis of comparability of credits and subject area (accreditation of prior learning based on credits, level and Learning Outcomes) Direct admission is available for all VET level 5 programmes at MCAST via UoM Junior College Matriculation Certificate (L4) or MATSEC Advanced level certification (L4) Direct admission is available for all 1 4 programmes via MATSEC Ordinary Level (L2/3)certification
Observations and areas for further discussion While the number of opportunities for student mobility between VET and HE are increasing the models adopted are different across the institutions MCAST adopts a Credits and LOs approach as suggested by ECVET thus favouring exemption UoM is more focused on the admission model while the dialogue on exemption is ongoing Faculties have their own autonomy within institution making a common approach more difficult
Observations and areas for further discussion There seems to be an issue of recognition that still needs to be resolved as those taking a purely vocational route will not have the general entry requirements and hence cannot really switch from VET to HE Even VET institutions use the Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (MATSEC) as a means of admission as a pure vocational route in secondary schooling does not as yet exist There is the perception that learners in a vocational context tend to lack the necessary key skills
Observations and areas for further discussion MCAST VET programmes include the key skills at the respective level required by the Malta Qualifications Framework Careful curriculum design and dialogue between stakeholders can improve trust and confidence that will help us move more towards the exemption model for seamless permeability Assessment methodology can be a key issue in that academic institutions can still be very much oriented towards synoptic examination
Observations and areas for further discussion If we are to focus on the LLL approach we need to make sure that systems can talk more easily without the need of translation Malta has adopted the approach to apply the same weight for 1 ECVET as for 1 ECTS credit, hence 25hrs of total student workload thus improving compatibility This improves transferability of credits hopefully leading to seamless permeability in the not so distant future.
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