Automatic mutual recognition, access qualifications to higher education, and confidence for learners travelling abroad

The recently published NARIC Ireland News Brief (available to read below) presents a summary of key elements of the Council Recommendation on the promotion of automatic mutual recognition and of the outcomes of institutions qualifications.

The ARAQUA project, led by the Latvian ENIC-NARIC, developed comparative country reports detailing progression and recognition arrangements to higher education in partner countries, and led to helpful recommendations underpinning clarity for anyone who would like to confidently apply to study in other European countries on the basis of a school leaving or VET qualification. The Irish Leaving Certificate suite of awards and VET qualifications are not included in this study arising from the project parameters. 

However, as automatic mutual recognition and mobility grow in importance for the European Area, a country report addressing progression to higher education in this context has been identified as helpful for students, credential evaluators, employers and the growing number of alliances across education and training. 

The ARAQUA project has provided both useful recommendations for consideration and a ‘fiche’ /model for such work.

ARAQUA mapped access qualifications in partner countries, and a comparative report considering context and qualifications informed the development of recommendations on automatic recognition of HE access qualifications both in the ARAQUA countries, and generally for NARICs and higher education institutions.