Profile of Professional Higher Education in Europe

This report gives a comprehensive overview of the profile of character of Professional Higher Education in Europe, using data collected from 16 countries in 2013. Chapter 2 Foreword – introduces the topic from a theoretical basis, based on the experiences of EURASHE in operating in the sector. Chapter 3 Characterising PHE – considers the different national definitions of PHE, as well as the constituent factors which are said to make up PHE across the continent. Chapter 4 Organisation & Structure of PHE – focuses on the type of institutions providing PHE, the qualifications offered by them and their systems of funding. Chapter 5 Teaching PHE – looks at curriculum design, collaboration with employers and staffing requirements as elements of the successful provision of PHE. Chapter 6 Research in PHE – makes an overview of national requirements for research in PHE, as well as availability of funding for research of PHE across Europe. Chapter 7 Recognition & Transferability – considers whether education in professionally oriented and academically oriented HE is considered to be equivalent, from the perspective of transferability between cycles. Chapter 8 Concluding Remarks – takes a look at current trends in European Education & Training which may affect the character, nature and/or profile of Professional Higher Education in the coming years. Throughout the chapters, several case studies are presented to further deepen the discussion on the areas. (DIPF/author)