Council of Higher Education Takes New Steps to Align with European Higher Education Area
- The qualification type descriptors prepared to increase the quality of higher education qualifications will be included in the curricula of higher education programs
- The "TQF logo", which will help graduates in many areas such as rapid recognition of diplomas in the international arena and employment, will be widely used on graduation certificates
- Within the scope of alignment with the European Higher Education Area, universities will be given "Bologna and Turkish Qualifications Framework Scorecard" starting from this year
- Studies will be carried out for the recognition and crediting of prior learning as part of lifelong learning in higher education
May 3, 2023
The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) is implementing new projects within the scope of alignment with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
CoHE is carrying out the "Project for Alignment with the European Higher Education Area" to take the endeavors carried out in the EHEA, of which Türkiye became a member in 2001, to the next level and to make the Turkish higher education system, which has more than 300 thousand international students, a center of attraction.
The project aims to improve the capacity of Turkish higher education, and increase the quality of higher education qualifications and international competition in higher education by expanding international mobility, employment and internship opportunities, joint diplomas and research programs in the EHEA.
Qualification Type Descriptor Forms Prepared
Under the "Project for Alignment with the European Higher Education Area", CoHE has prepared qualification type descriptor forms to increase the quality of higher education qualifications and to ensure that graduates have qualifications that meet the expectations of the business world. Qualification type descriptors, which are documents containing learning outcomes that define common features specific to qualifications, consist of six forms: Associate degree (general), associate degree (vocational), bachelor's degree, master's degree (with thesis), master's degree (without thesis) and doctoral degree.
Accordingly, higher education institutions will be asked to reorganize their curricula according to these forms to align their program qualifications with the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF).
National Learning Outcomes Added to Qualification Type Descriptors
National learning outcomes have been added to the qualification type descriptors for higher education in line with Türkiye's priorities.
In this context, the national learning outcomes that higher education graduates should have are described as "to be able to regulate their social relations by adopting the values of their country; to have knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors at a level that will solve social and economic issues by taking into account the strategic priorities of their country; to prioritize the customs and traditions of the society, its unique characteristics and national culture in their attitudes and behaviors".
TQF Logo will be Used Widely on Graduation Certificates
As of 23 December 2021, the TQF logo will be used widely on the graduation certificates of higher education programs that meet the necessary conditions within the scope of the "Project for Alignment with the European Higher Education Area" and the number of programs using the TQF logo will be increased.
Having the TQF logo on graduation certificates will bring some advantages to higher education graduates internationally. The diplomas of graduates from programs with this logo will be recognized abroad faster and they will have more employment opportunities. In addition, the TQF logo will facilitate the direct mutual recognition of internship qualifications for higher education and the achievements of periods of study abroad, and make horizontal and vertical student mobility easier.
In order to use the TQF logo on higher education graduation certificates, the relevant program must be accredited by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC), the program qualification form must be compatible with the relevant qualification type descriptors, and the qualification must be included in the Turkish Qualifications Database carried out under the Vocational Qualifications Authority.
"Bologna and TQF Scorecards" for Universities
Within the scope of the "Project for Alignment with the European Higher Education Area", CoHE will use scorecards to evaluate the works carried out in higher education institutions. These scorecards, which are called "Bologna and Turkish Qualifications Framework Scorecard", will start to be issued as of this year.
Studies will be carried out for the Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education
Under the alignment project, studies will be carried out for the recognition and crediting of prior learning in higher education.
It is Aimed to Improve the Performance of Turkish Higher Education in the European Higher Education Area
Türkiye ranks first in the EHEA in terms of the number of students enrolled in higher education. According to the 2020 Bologna Process Implementation Report, in parallel with the quantitative expansion in the number of students, Türkiye outperformed most European countries in many fields where activities were carried out for the alignment of the Turkish higher education system with the EHEA.
The activities that are implemented under the "Alignment with the European Higher Education Area Project" will help Türkiye to be fully aligned with European countries in the field of higher education and increase the performance of Turkish higher education.
Information and documents on all activities carried out by CoHE as part of the Project can be accessed at https://uluslararasi.yok.gov.tr/Sayfalar/avrupa-yuksekogretim-alani-ile-uyum-projesi.aspx.