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29.1.2013

Feedback on ECTS Label Application

The University of Oulu submitted an application for ECTS Label on September 24, 2012. A rejected decision arrived on December 21, 2012 from EU’s ECTS and DS Label team. None of the Finnish higher education institutions received ECTS Label on this round of applications. University of Oulu requests for more detailed feedback from ECTS and DS team, and starts completing measures based on feedback received.

Evaluators commented on the strengths of University of Oulu’s www pages the following:
”Well presented booklet on information for students covering all of the required topics with good details.” Comment suggests that University of Oulu is on the right track and that materials in English are extensively available. However, there are grounds for rejection.

Evaluators had familiarised themself with University’s main www pages as well as with three degree descriptions. Rejected decision was based on the following: all required course description fields in Oodi were not filled in, and with some of the courses descriptions were only found in Finnish. Also, ECTS evaluators needed more detailed evaluation criteria on individual courses. Admission requirements were not available in English on www pages. In addition to these, student exchange documents needed improving.

Evaluators’ feedback “A more consistent approach needs to be adopted to provide the required information ensuring its covers all required areas and is similar in quantity for all units” suggests that they are looking for a single www page that summarises information according to the ECTS Information Package. Before submitting the next ECTS Label application, the University considers making a summary page according to the ECTS Information Package that would include links to all required information. In addition to this, the quality and quantity of required information with every course and degree description will be checked. Admission information will also be translated into English.

Despite the rejection University of Oulu has succeeded in number of things. E.g. 1) all degree programme and degree descriptions have a unified form at Studies at the University of Oulu both in Finnish and in English. Pages have received positive feedback both at the University of Oulu and from other universities and partners.  University of Oulu has 2) been the first university in Finland to establish learning outcomes on all courses and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. In other words every curriculum at the University is based on learning.  Also 3) every degree has a degree structure diagram that shows how courses are equally distributed (approx. 30 ECTS/term). Courses listed in degree structures have links to Oodi’s course description, both in Finnish and English. Also 4) a large number of www pages, guides and forms have been made and translated into English, and processes have been unified. The University has e.g. made new university wide practices concerning recognition of prior learning (RPL).

The University of Oulu applies for ECTS Label also in 2013, as in the future this recognition may have a significant value in universities’ funding policy. Work on process descriptions continues.

More information:
Suvi Jutila and Tytti Tenhula