Page 72 - Professionalising-career-guidance-practitioner-competences-and-qualification-routes-in-Europe

• advising on the content and scope of the qualification;
• considering the structure of the qualification to ensure flexibility and the use of modules
for continuing professional development (CPD);
• suggesting how the learning outcomes and cross-cutting themes could be integrated into
the modules;
• contributing to the development of practice-based learning as an integral part of the
qualification;
• ensuring that the requirements of the qualification in career guidance (the existing UK
qualification for career practitioners) were incorporated.
The validation committees at the universities were exceptionally positive about the new
qualification, reflecting the part played by the major employer in the sector, but also
recognising wide collaboration and innovative factors related to distance and work-based
learning. A two-year programme was agreed with the second year in employment (year one
leads to a postgraduate diploma (60 ECTS); year two leads to a master’s award (a further 30
ECTS)). None of the modules are optional, though the programme includes considerable
emphasis on individualised learning: each student has a learning plan, a practice tutor, and
flexibility in the choice of placement which allows for some customisation. The employment
setting in year two, as well as the flexible structure of the MSc programme, allow for more
specialisation and contextualisation.

4.7.3. Changes responding to the Bologna process and the Lisbon strategy
The qualification fits into the developments within the Bologna process, because it is based
on learning outcomes and credit points are awarded. The University of the West of Scotland
was already strongly committed to credit accumulation and was one of the first universities in
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Scotland to develop a credit transfer system, prior to the Bologna declaration in 1999 ( ). In
2007 this university validated its programmes again to credit all programmes within a
framework of 20-credit modules, conforming also to the European credit transfer and
accumulation system.

4.7.4. Entry requirements and alternative routes to entry and qualification
The standard entry requirement to the programme is successful completion of a first-cycle
degree. However, there is flexibility, for example, where applicants can demonstrate that they
have the skills, knowledge, maturity and sufficient academic attainment to achieve a
postgraduate qualification. At the University of the West of Scotland all applicants are given
interviews, during which previous relevant learning and experience are explored, enabling
credit for prior learning and experience to be identified. Those with relevant experience but
without a degree may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, where there is evidence that the
applicant will be able to achieve a postgraduate qualification. Some may be asked to
complete a shorter first-cycle award in social sciences prior to admission, to demonstrate
their ability to study at higher education level.

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( ) See: http://www.bologna-bergen2005.no/Docs/00-Main_doc/990719BOLOGNA_DECLARATION.PDF [cited
28.11.2008].

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