Download - Pag. 1 Student Counselling at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel PRIUM Site Visit 9 september 2008
pag. 2
Linda WillemsStudent Guidance and
Equal Opportunities Office
Marc VandersteenCurriculum Management Office
A brief history of legal initiatives
Ancient history
PRIUM Visitpag. 3
Law of 1971;Belgian universities have to provide social
services to their students;HousingAffordable mealsSocial office (financial support,
scholarships, studyloans)Study Guidance
A brief history of legal initiatives
Ancient history
PRIUM Visitpag. 4
Law of 1991;Flemish universities have to organise
information activities at the beginning of the academic year for new students
Students can ask for individually adjusted yearprogrammes, based on exemptions they acquired
First measures for monitoring study progress
A brief history of legal initiatives
Modern Times
PRIUM Visitpag. 5
Law of 2003 on the structure of Flemish higher education Implementation of Bologna;
Bachelor, Master and DoctorateCredit-system (accumulate/transfer)2 tracs: Professional – AcademicBridging programmes
A brief history of legal initiatives
Modern Times
PRIUM Visitpag. 6
Law of 2004 on the flexibility of Flemish higher education
Curricula no longer structured as year-programmes
Instruments monitoring study progressSpecial focus on target groupsValorisation of competences acquired
through non-formal learning
A brief history of legal initiatives
Modern Times
PRIUM Visitpag. 7
Law of 2008 on the financing of Flemish higher education
Direct relation between financing of institutions and the rate of studysuccess
Output vs. InputBonus for diploma’s grantedBonus for students from target groupsLearning Credit System of 140 ECTS
A brief history of legal initiatives
Target groups
PRIUM Visitpag. 8
Top Sport StudentsStudents with handicap/long-lasting
ilness/learning disabilitiesStudents from allochtonous originWorking students
Equal opportunity policy: a.o. flexibility in
examination
Introducing flexibilty in higher education
Ancient history
Limited study related choices:
- which degree programme ?
- at which institution ?
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Introducing flexibility in higher education
Modern Times
Complex study related choices
- up- or downstream ?
- fulltime or partime ?
- specialisations, minors, profiles ?
- a nice or a coherent programme ?
- diploma or credit certificates ?
PRIUM Visitpag. 10
Flexibility in Pictures
‘Monolitic’ structures:unique trajectoris leading to unique sets of competences
x'
y' z' w'
y x z w
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Flexibility in Pictures
Bridging the gaps : Use of linking- and prepatory programmes
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Flexibility in Pictures
Bachelor after BachelorHogeschool
Master Hogeschool or university
Professional BachelorHogeschool min. 180 ECTS
Academic BachelorHogechool or universitymin. 180 ECTS
Linking programme Prepatory programme
BridgesDoctorate Master after master
Prep. Progr
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Flexibility in higher education: aims
- increase of study succes and output
- increase of participation of non-
traditional student groups
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Flexibility in higher education: means
- adjustment of the volume and
- adjustment of the phasing of the
trajectory
- in accordance with the individual
possibilities, expectations, specific competences and
background of students
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Flexibility in higher education: pitfalls
- open access
- gaps between Sec.Ed. & Hi.Ed.
- unnecessary slowing down of study
progress
- ‘atomisation’ of individual programme
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Flexibility in higher education: challenges
- safe-guard coherence of the
individualised curricula
- safe-guard total length of study
periods
- early detection of eminent dropout
and efficient reorientation
- specific support towards target groups
PRIUM Visitpag. 21
Managing flexibility in higher education
Support and guidance is offered in a structured way;
Study Guidance and Equal Opportunities Office & (in operation since “ancient history”)
Educational Career Consultants & (in operation since 2005)
Centres for Student Training and Support (in operation since “ancient history”)
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Managing flexibility in higher education
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Student Guidance Office Educational Career Consultants
Stearing through Vice-rector for Student Policy
Stearing through Vice-rector for Academic Education
Indepented body vis-à-vis faculties Indepented body vis-à-vis faculties
Operating as a central service, for all students, regardless faculty and discipline
Operating within the faculties, linked to the programmes and disciplines offered within the faculty
Staff of 4 studentpsychologists (0.5 FTE for Equal Opportunities)
One consultant per faculty (8), each holding a university degree and having thorough knowledge of the disciplines offered by their faculty
Managing flexibility in higher education
PRIUM Visitpag. 24
Student Guidance Office
Focus On
Educational Career Consultants
Focus on
Study methodology and related competences
Students progress along the programme’s path
Time-management Signal obstacles in ‘studibility’ in the programmes to responsibles
Provide reliable and solid information on academic programmes
Provide reliable and solid information on academic programmes
Assist the process of choice before and at start of studies
Assist the process of choice during the studies
Re-orientation with focus on motivational aspects and study-related competences
Re-orientation with focus on providing information on alternative study programmes
Managing flexibility in higher education
Time Line of initiatives
Spring Information initiatives 5th. Year of sec. ed. SGO
january Provincial information fairs SGO & ECC
march information sessions at institutes SGO & ECC
september Domain specific bridging programmes & SGO
sessions on study methodology (ongoing)
sept. Start Academic Year
1st week reception week for new students SGO & ECC
october sessions on study methodology SGO
adjustment of trajectories ECC
november first evaluation pre-tests; detection of eminent
drop-out & reorientation, sessions on test anxiety SGO & ECC
december sessions on examination competences SGO
february adjustment of trajectories related to ex.results ECC
march-june sessions on test anxiety SGO
july-september evaluation of ex. results; adjustment of trajectory &
reorientation SGO & ECC
PRIUM Visitpag. 25
Managing flexibility in higher education
• All initiatives supporting students progress should be clear and visible to all stakeholders;– To students– To teaching and administrative personnel– To external referents
Therefore we prepare to evolve towards an “integrated study guidance landscape”
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