by Tom Melai, Open University the Netherlands

1. EUROPEAN
SHORT
LEARNING
PROGRAMMES
Concept and role of
Short Learning Programmes
in European Higher Education
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4. Needs of learners and employers
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Rapid
development in
technology and
knowledge
skills and knowledge <--> position or ambition
Less time to study
More mobility
• Within and between
organisations
• Internationally
(European Universities
Initiative)

5. Short Learning Programme (SLP)
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Coherent group of learning units/ building
blocks
Credit based certification
Focussed on specific and topical skills or
knowledge

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Characteristics
Highereducation
5 to 30 ECTS
Flexible & scalable
Short time to market
Market driven (focus on
specific needs)

7. Potential depending on
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Recognition
Accreditation
Legal aspects

8. Accreditation of SLP
• Currently only possible in some countries of the EU
• Often lengthy process, might prevent short time to market
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Advice for now:
less focus on
ex ante
accreditation

9. Recognition
• Quality assurance
• Recognition by society
• Recognition by other HEIs
• Stackability toward formal degrees
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Higher
Education
Institutes
(HEI)
SLP

10. Recognition
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Issue
No uniformity between HEIs
Within E-SLP >42 names
No clarity on size and level
No clarity on content
Fix
Uniformity in name
Preferred name: SLP
Report size and level
Add a supplement to the
certificate

11. Legal framework
• Often no mentioning of Continuing Education
– Some experiments are done
– Some countries are reviewing their Higher education
act
• Incidentally restrictions in public funding (only allowed to
use for formal education)
• No big obstacles for SLPs
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12. Essentials
• Uniformity in name
• Report level (EQF) & size (EC) of programme
• Stress stackability
• Connect with formal education
• Work market-driven & in close collaboration with all
stakeholders
• Focus on recognition and quality assurance
less on accreditation
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14. Contact
Tom Melai TME@ou.nl 0031-45-5762273
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https://e-slp.eadtu.eu/outcomes

15. Erasmus+: 590202-EPP-1-2017-1-NL-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD
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