Enrolment policy in EUEnrolment policy in EU

Željko Dujić, MD, PhDŽeljko Dujić, MD, PhD

Vice rector for science and international Vice rector for science and international affairesaffaires

University of Split, CroatiaUniversity of Split, Croatia

Communication from the Communication from the Commission (2003)Commission (2003)

The new challenges facing European UniversitiesThe new challenges facing European Universities

1. Increased demand for higher education (UK and Denmark 1. Increased demand for higher education (UK and Denmark have set a target of training 50% of a given age group at have set a target of training 50% of a given age group at university level between now and 2010) at a time of university level between now and 2010) at a time of limited resources (human and financial) at all levels ending limited resources (human and financial) at all levels ending with LLL.with LLL.

Finland – 110 000 applicants – first cycle, 64 Finland – 110 000 applicants – first cycle, 64 000 took entrance examinations, 27 000 were 000 took entrance examinations, 27 000 were accepted, student selection in 2000 by field of accepted, student selection in 2000 by field of study (Chart 1) and total number of students study (Chart 1) and total number of students 1992-2000 (Chart 2).1992-2000 (Chart 2).

Netherlands – total number of students 1968-Netherlands – total number of students 1968-2001 (Fig. 2.7.2) and by field of study (Fig. 2001 (Fig. 2.7.2) and by field of study (Fig. 2.7.3).2.7.3).

Poland – the upsurge in the number of Poland – the upsurge in the number of students is foremost related to the increase in students is foremost related to the increase in the number of evening and weekend students. the number of evening and weekend students. Larger number of high school graduates Larger number of high school graduates continue their education in HE sector – in continue their education in HE sector – in 1990 13% and in 2001 44%. Progression 1990 13% and in 2001 44%. Progression from stage of «elite» to «mass» stage. The from stage of «elite» to «mass» stage. The key challenge for the begenning of 21st key challenge for the begenning of 21st century will be to upkeep the dynamic century will be to upkeep the dynamic growth, and a constant quality improvement growth, and a constant quality improvement of HE system.of HE system.

Austria – 41% of an age group obtain the Austria – 41% of an age group obtain the right to enter HE though the «Matura», right to enter HE though the «Matura», increase of about 10% since 1990s.increase of about 10% since 1990s.

2. Bologna reforms (BR) cannot be realised 2. Bologna reforms (BR) cannot be realised without additional funding in teaching and without additional funding in teaching and learning. More than 80% HEIs is discontent learning. More than 80% HEIs is discontent with financial support for BR. Socio-with financial support for BR. Socio-economic status of enroled students.economic status of enroled students.

With the exception of Ireland and the USA With the exception of Ireland and the USA the participation rate of the most the participation rate of the most disadvantaged group improved at a slower disadvantaged group improved at a slower rate than overall participation.rate than overall participation.

3. The internationalisation of education and 3. The internationalisation of education and research results with increased competition research results with increased competition (national and international)(national and international)

Diversification of institutional profiles – only Diversification of institutional profiles – only 13% of all European HEIs (16% of 13% of all European HEIs (16% of universities) see themselves as serving a universities) see themselves as serving a world-wide community and only 7% see world-wide community and only 7% see themselves as primarily serving a European themselves as primarily serving a European community (Table 4 and Fig 18)community (Table 4 and Fig 18)

Overall import and export balance of student Overall import and export balance of student mobility in Europe per country (Fig 3). mobility in Europe per country (Fig 3). Student migration between world regions (Fig Student migration between world regions (Fig 4 and 6).4 and 6).

4. A high drop-out rate among students, standing at 4. A high drop-out rate among students, standing at an average of around 40% in the Union. The an average of around 40% in the Union. The «education for everybody» approach in the HE has «education for everybody» approach in the HE has resulted in huge expansion of the student resulted in huge expansion of the student population. In most Member States a successful population. In most Member States a successful secondary school career gives automatic right of secondary school career gives automatic right of access to university studies without no additional access to university studies without no additional selection. This right is considered as an essential selection. This right is considered as an essential element of democracy to guarantee equality for all element of democracy to guarantee equality for all citizens (age, gender, minorities). In certain citizens (age, gender, minorities). In certain Member States, the universities themselves apply Member States, the universities themselves apply selection systems, in particular subject areas selection systems, in particular subject areas (particularly medicine and veterinary sceince) (particularly medicine and veterinary sceince) sometimes apply additional selection criteria.sometimes apply additional selection criteria.

Enrolment policy at first cycle/second Enrolment policy at first cycle/second cycle/doctoral education cycle/doctoral education Enrolment policy at first cycle – automatic Enrolment policy at first cycle – automatic after secondary education ending after secondary education ending with/without state exam, additional entrance with/without state exam, additional entrance exams (specific for field of study) and/or exams (specific for field of study) and/or combination of both. Universities are combination of both. Universities are autonomous in defing entrance criteria.autonomous in defing entrance criteria.

Finland – the applicant may apply and be Finland – the applicant may apply and be accepted for a number of places at the same accepted for a number of places at the same time. Students can be ranked on the basis of time. Students can be ranked on the basis of marks in the matriculation examination and in marks in the matriculation examination and in the school-leaving certificate plus entrance the school-leaving certificate plus entrance tests; on the basis of entrance tests only; on tests; on the basis of entrance tests only; on the basis of marks in the matriculation the basis of marks in the matriculation examination and in the school-leaving examination and in the school-leaving certificate. There is no national entrance certificate. There is no national entrance examination common to all universities.examination common to all universities.

Germany – students are enrolled through the Germany – students are enrolled through the central register and can be admitted in any central register and can be admitted in any university. For a few studies there is a university. For a few studies there is a numerus clausus.numerus clausus.

Enrolment policy at second cycle – master's Enrolment policy at second cycle – master's programmes are accessible for students with programmes are accessible for students with an appropriate academic Bachelor's degree. an appropriate academic Bachelor's degree. Students with a profession-oriented Students with a profession-oriented Bachelor's degree can enter a Master's Bachelor's degree can enter a Master's programme (Belgium). Joint European master programme (Belgium). Joint European master programmes – new trend in this field.programmes – new trend in this field.

Enrolment policy for doctoral programmes – Enrolment policy for doctoral programmes – students with adequate Master's degree and/or students with adequate Master's degree and/or entrance exam. Trends: European doctorate entrance exam. Trends: European doctorate label, Erasmus Mundus programme, label, Erasmus Mundus programme, EURODOC (association of PhD students, EURODOC (association of PhD students, www.eurodoc.net).www.eurodoc.net).