Ict curricula Guidelines (2nd draft)

Figure 6 The formal compatibility of degree levels in traditional and new European Higher Education System Programs
The ICT Industry in Europe welcomes the Bologna Declaration and recommends that governments and universities implement the new European Higher Education System urgently. Students can take the two cycles in different countries and gain international experience in different cultures during their studies. In planning their life long education they can also distribute the learning phases over a longer time, e.g. working and gaining professional experience in the period between the two cycles and returning to part-time or full time study to upgrade and get up-to-date education as when ever its appropriate. This is a particular advantage for subject areas with a rapid pace of change, such as ICT.
Universities will be expected to increasingly offer a new variety of ICT First Cycle Degree (FCD) courses and different types of Second Cycle Degree (SCD) programmes (consecutive and conversion) in ICT and ICT related sectors:
● First Cycle Degree (FCD) ICT Programmes (3-4 years) focussing on education of ICT specialists for different ICT generic skills profiles groups (new courses at basic level ICT education).
● Consecutive Second Cycle Degree ICT Programmes (1-2 years) for graduates with FCD in ICT leading to a higher level of specialisation primarily for R&D activities in specialised ICT sectors.
● Conversion Second Cycle Degree (SCD) Programmes for graduates with FCD in ICT, such as MBA’s, qualifying them for a wide range of tasks in industry where both solid ICT and business skills are required.
● Conversion SCD ICT Programmes for graduates with FCD in non ICT disciplines so that they can become effective innovators in many application areas in the ICT industry.
The Career Space consortium expects that conversion courses will be offered also in part time and/or distance learning continuing education type in order to respond more effectively to the needs of those who are in the labour market. When appropriate, universities should not insist on a first cycle degree but should rather consider applicants on merit including work experience for entry to second cycle degree courses.
The introduction of new ICT and ICT related consecutive and conversion courses will help the universities to attract more students and industry and society to substantially reduce the ICT skills shortage in Europe.