This article assesses the impact of the Bologna Process on the grading schemes of EU member countries. In light of some problems regarding the implementation of the European Credit Transfer system (ECTS), the author proposes further reforms and offers some elements of a unified grading system for European higher education. The author explores the…

This guide, the 27th edition, provides a record of transfer agreements for Alberta postsecondary institutions for the 2002-2003 academic year. Section 1 is an introduction that explains the activities of the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer. Section 2 contains institutional statements on admission policies and related information for…

Compares U.S. models of credit accumulation and transfer in degree programs with credit initiatives in the United Kingdom. Suggests that the U.S. experience shows that accumulation is easy, transfer is problematic; currency of credits can vary; and credits cannot deliver equity or excellence by themselves. (SK)

Discusses the lack of uniformity in U.S. universities' evaluations of foreign students' credentials for admission and determination of whether to transfer a student's credits from a foreign university. Includes a list of independent credential evaluation firms. (EV)

"Credit" has an increasingly important role to play in recording student achievement and also for providing support for students and their progression both into and within the education system. It is a key tool for promoting lifelong learning. Credit can serve a number of purposes but is fundamentally a tool for assessing the equivalence…

Fourteen nursing students in Wales reported on their use of accreditation of prior learning (APL) to obtain credit. Most had difficulty reflecting on prior learning and maintaining motivation over the length of the process. APL was felt to be worthwhile; students developed self-esteem, reflective writing skills, and greater appreciation for…

Credit can be used to recognise all kinds of achievements. But there are no short cuts to doing it properly. Perhaps the clever thing to do is to take the best of practice in using credit, to observe closely how credit impacts on the reform of all education in the UK, and learn from these experiences. As the notion of credit gains currency across…

The status of signature and ratification of six regional cooperative conventions concerning recognition of study abroad is reported. They are conventions for: Latin America and the Caribbean; Arab and European states bordering on the Mediterranean; the Arab states; the Europe region; the African states; and Asia and the Pacific. (MSE)

For the third time, ESIB has carried out a survey on the implementation of the Bologna Process. The first survey was in 2003 and the second was in 2005. Between the first two surveys the methodology developed substantially and this survey builds on the principles of the 2005 "Bologna With Student Eyes" report. This new report portrays…

Cross-crediting, or credit transfer, exists in Australia as a confused plethora of agreements in and amongst tertiary institutions. By and large the student is responsible for initiating or requesting credit for studies undertaken elsewhere, either in the past or concurrently. This study describes the development of an agreement on cross-crediting…

The relationship between course loads and grade point average (GPA) was studied in 1978-79 for undergraduate students at the College of Shariah of King Abdulaziz University, Saudia Arabia. Three groups of students were compared, based on the number of credit hours earned: 11 or less credit hours, 12 to 17 credit hours, and 18 or more credit hours.…

Poland's participation in the 1972 Prague convention on the international recognition among socialist countries of secondary school diplomas, specialized secondary school credentials, higher education degrees, and higher academic titles and degrees is outlined. (MSE)

This report assesses the transfer credit process for British Columbia (BC) college transfer applicants to the University of British Columbia (UBC). Results indicate that students are earning on average 49.7 credits from the BC college attended and are being granted an average of 42.2 credits when transferring to UBC. This translated into 84.9% of…

This newsletter contains items of educational reform and development, either by national legislation, ministerial recommendation, or institutional action. Articles are in English or French; no translations are provided for the articles in French. (MM)

Describes, within the political context, European Union cooperative efforts for educational quality, recognition of qualifications, and open/distance learning. Concludes that success depends on the diversity of education and training systems in Member States. (SK)