GZ /8-VII/11/2004. Joint Degree/Diploma Degree Programs, Implementation (Doppeldiplom-Empfehlung 2004/3)..

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1 Person in charge: Dr. Heinz Kasparovsky Unit VII/11 GZ /8-VII/11/2004 Teinfaltstraße 8, 1010 Wien Tel.: 01/ Fax: 01/ Joint Degree/Diploma Degree Programs, Implementation (Doppeldiplom-Empfehlung 2004/3).. The Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture recommends for the purpose of drafting joint degree/diploma programs (art. 51 para. 2 subpara. 27 of the Universities Act 2002, BGBl. I no. 120/2002, and art. 3 para. 2 subpara. 10 of the Fachhochschule Studies Act FHStG, BGBl. no. 340/1993, in the present version) to take into account the following: 1. Definition a. The term Joint degree/diploma program ( Doppeldiplom-Programm ) shall designate a degree program which is to be implemented jointly on the basis of an agreement between one or more Austrian universities or universities of applied sciences or, respectively, Fachhochschule Degree Programs (in the following referred to as institutions ) and one or more foreign institutions of post-secondary education, where there is to be awarded jointly an academic degree which takes legal effects in the countries of all partner institutions. In these agreements there must be fixed which achievements the respective students will have to fulfil at the institutions concerned. Moreover there must be laid down, on the basis of ECTS or compatible with it, by the partner institutions integrated procedures for the mutual recognition of the examinations concerned. b. This definition takes pattern from the definition of European Union Masters Courses (Decision No. 2317/2003/EG, Annexe, Action 1) an. c. For simplification, a two-partners-pattern will be used below. This can apply in an analogous way to patterns with more partner institutions concerned. d. For the Private Universities, due to the fact that corresponding provisions in the Universities Accreditation Act UniAkkG, BGBl. I No. 168/1999, in the present version are missing, it is recommended to apply the following principles in an analogous way. 2. Category of the study program

2 2 Joint degree/diploma programs are, according to the legal definition, degree programs. Consequently, they have to be diploma, bachelor, master or doctoral programs, or, respectively, Fachhochschule Diploma Programs, Fachhochschule Bachelor Programs or Fachhochschule Master Programs. At that, either parts of degree programs which have already been established can be joined, in the kind of modules, with parts of corresponding degree programs of a partner institution to an ingenious totality, or there can be drafted new full degree programs jointly with a partner institution without being bound to degree programs which have already been established. 3. Admission to studies a. For students of an Austrian institution who intend to pass parts of their studies at a partner institution in the framework of a joint degree/diploma program it is important to pay attention to the necessity to notify to the Austrian institution the continuation of their studies for those semesters in which an activity of studies at this university is foreseen. The agreements should provide for those cases in a detailed way. b. Students of a partner institution who intend to pass parts of their studies at an Austrian institution in the framework of a joint degree/diploma program, shall be treated, with regard to the admission period, in an analogous way to students in the framework of a mobility programs. Therefore the general admission period at universities is open for them, even if they are not EEA citizens (art. 61 para. 3 subpara. 3 of the Universities Act 2002). Besides, the Rectorate can, if needed, make different provisions for the general admission period (art. 61 para. 5 of the Universities Act 2002). According to art. 63 para. 5 subpara. 1 of the Universities Act 2002, such students shall be admitted for a limited period of time, i.e. for the duration of the part of studies which has, according to the agreement, to be carried through in Austria, provided that the general and the special university entrance qualifications are fulfilled, even if the Senate has otherwise defined the existence of unacceptable study conditions for a given field of studies. In case that only modules of distance learning are concerned, the limited admission can be granted, according to art. 63 para. 5 subpara. 2 of the Universities Act 2002, for a maximum of two semesters. The general as well as the special university entrance qualifications are supposed to be proved only by the nomination by the partner institution according to art. 63 para. 6 of the Universities Act 2002; therefore there shall be no demand for additional pieces of evidence. Likewise the regulations on legalization of documents do not apply in those cases. It is recommended to proceed in an analogous way in the scope of art. 4 para. 3 FHStG. 4. Tuition fees According to art. 92 para. 1 subpara. 1 of the Universities Act 2002 tuition fees shall be waived during those semesters for which the respective students give evidence of carrying through studies in the framework of university mobility programs. This applies to students (from as well as to Austria) in the framework of joint degree/diploma programs, because, according to art. 61 para. 3 subpara. 3 of the Universities Act 2002, joint degree/diploma programs are a particular kind of mobility programs. It is recommended to proceed in an analogous way in the scope of art. 2 para. 2 FHStG. 5. Examinations The organisation of examinations has to be seen in connection with the progress of a study program between the partner institutions. According to art. 78 para. 1 subpara. 1 of the Universities Act 2002 recognitions of examinations can be laid down in a general way in the curriculum. In the case of a joint degree/diploma program this way of recognition should take place at all events; this should be included in the relevant agreement on the joint

3 3 degree/diploma program. The general recognition replaces the notices on recognition, which would otherwise be necessary on a case-by-case basis. It is recommended to proceed in an analogous way in the scope of art. 12 para. 4 subpara. 2 and, respectively, art. 16 para. 4 subpara. 2 FHStG. 6. Theses a. Art. 80 to 82 of the Universities Act 2002 enable the universities to charge foreign supervisors and assessors of theses. b. In case that a thesis has been supervised and/or assessed at the foreign partner institution, its recognition is possible according to art. 85 of the Universities Act c. As this is a crucial point of the organisation of joint degree/diploma programs, the agreement should in any case determine the procedure of supervision and assessment as strictly as possible. d. It is recommended to proceed in an analogous way in the scope of art. 3 para. 2 subpara. 6 FHStG. 7. Academic degrees a. For the design of a joint degree/diploma program it is recommended to stick to the basic principle whereupon one completion of studies requires the award of one academic degree. For that reason one of the institutions concerned should confer the original academic degree. The other partner institution should, at the same time, declare in a binding way to which of its own academic degrees the former one is fully equivalent, so that it takes all legal effects in the country of the other institution. The law gives the possibility to award an academic degree jointly by the Austrian institution and the foreign partner institution by only one diploma. In those cases no recognition procedure is required. b. In order to profit by the legal effects in both countries concerned, it is recommended that the academic degree which has been conferred as the original one as well as the academic degree which has been declared equivalent shall be taken out of the official list of academic degrees according to the national systems of studies. The relevant Austrian academic degrees shall be chosen, in the case of universities, out of the catalogue of the diploma, bachelor or master degrees according to art. 54 para. 1 of the Universities Act 2002, or a doctoral degree the addition to which has to be laid down by the senate according to art. 51 para. 2 subpara. 14 in connection with art. 25 para. 1 subpara. 10 of the Universities Act In the case of universities of applied sciences or, respectively, Fachhochschule Degree Programs, it should be one of the academic degrees Bakkalaurea/Bakkalaureus (FH), Magistra/Magister (FH) or Diplom-Ingenieurin/Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) in the meaning of art. 5 para. 2 FHStG. c. The prerequisite for the procedure described in para. a and b is according to art. 87 para. 5 of the Universities Act 2002 that, with a study program to an extent of 120 ECTS credit points at least 30, with a study program to an extent of more than 120 ECTS credit points at least 60 have been gathered under the responsibility of the foreign partner institution. This should apply in an analogous way also in Fachhochschule sector. d. It is essential in favour of the legal certainty and the equal treatment that provisions for the fulfilment of the requirements of art. 87 para. 1 (character as an official notice) and of art. 69 para. 2 of the Universities Act 2002 or, respectively, art. 4 para. 8 FHStG (Diploma Supplement) have been made, independent from the form of issue of the diploma. In case that the common diploma of award is delivered in two languages, a separate translation into English according to art. 87 para. 3 of the Universities Act 2002 or, respectively, art. 5 para.

4 4 2a FHStG is possible, but not absolutely necessary, because art. 87 para. 3 has to be understood as a particular provision. 8. Validation (Nostrifizierung) of academic degrees A foreign academic degree which has been awarded in the framework of a joint degree/diploma program can, according to art. 90 para. 1 of the Universities Act 2002 or, respectively, para. 5 Abs. 4 and 5a FHStG, not be validated, because for the possible exercise of a profession the corresponding Austrian academic degree, the full equivalence of which has already been declared due to para. 7 subpara. a, is the only relevant one. 9. Enclosed to this recommendation is a sample agreement in English and German, which has been drafted jointly by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Austrian Rectors Conference, the Austrian Fachhochschule Conference, and the Austrian National Union of Students. This sample should serve, as far it seems to be possible for the relevant partner institution, as a basis for the agreement of joint degree/diploma programs. 9. Entering into force This recommendation shall enter info force on 1 July At the same time the Doppeldiplom-Empfehlung 2004/2 of 1 April 2004, GZ /4-VII/11/2004, shall become ineffective. Enclosure Vienna, 28 June 2004 On behalf of the Federal Minister: Dr. Kasparovsky

5 Annexe to GZ /8-VII/11/2004 Agreement on a Joint Diploma/Degree Program Between XXX And YYY In order to develop further international opportunities for students from XXX and YYY, and in order to strengthen the international ties between the two institutions, XXX and YYY have decided to enter into this Agreement for the establishment of a Joint Diploma/Degree Program. 1. Objectives Within the framework of this Agreement, home institution refers to the institution in which a student is formally enrolled as a degree candidate. Host institution refers to the institution that has agreed to receive students from the home institution for a period of study. This Agreement permits students of XXX and YYY, upon the successful fulfilment of the conditions indicated in this Agreement, the opportunity of receiving by a joint diploma both the academic degree of the home institution and the legal effects of the corresponding academic degree of the host institution. 2. Candidates for Joint Diploma/Degree Program Students registered as degree candidate at XXX or YYY shall have access to the Joint Diploma/Degree Program. Students shall be screened for eligibility for admission as Joint Diploma/Degree candidates by the home institution. The home institution shall respect the admission requirements and enrolment constraints of the host institution. Joint Diploma/Degree candidates shall be nominated by the home institution. This nomination shall replace the evidence of university entrance qualification and the legalization. Details of nomination are pointed out in Appendix A. Joint Diploma/Degree candidates shall be subject to the standard rules, regulations and enrolling constraints of the host institution. They shall register at the host institution only for the parts of the study program which will be carried out under the responsibility of the host institution. They shall, in terms of registration procedure, be granted all privileges for candidates of mobility programs. Tuition fees shall, on the basis of reciprocity, be waived during those parts of the study program which will be carried out at the host institution. 3. Exams and Theses

6 2 Exams shall be organized under the responsibility of both institutions. The examination boards shall be composed as follows: 1 Each institution shall nominate the examinators the following way: 2 Diploma/Master theses shall be supervised jointly by both institutions. For that reason, the Joint Diploma/Degree candidates shall choose one main supervisor from one institution, and shall be allocated a second supervisor from the other institution. Both supervisors shall be members of the examination board for the oral diploma/master exam. Details will be pointed out in Appendix B. 4. Conditions for Obtaining the Joint Diploma/Degree The Joint Diploma/Degree shall only be awarded after the student has completed his/her studies at the home institution, and has additionally fulfilled the following requirements: a. award of at least 30/60 3 ECTS credit points under the responsibility of the host institution; and b. completion of a diploma/master thesis; and c. successful completion of the oral or written diploma/master exams. The Joint Diploma shall award both the academic degree of the home institution and the legal effects of the corresponding academic degree of the host institution. It shall be issued commonly by both institutions, in German and... For Austria, this Joint Diploma will fulfil the requirements of a notice of award. For the purpose of international mobility, the Joint Diploma will be accompanied by a Diploma Supplement according to art. IX.3 of the Lisbon Recognition Convention of 11 April Program Coordination Each institution will nominate a program coordinator to ensure that the Joint Diploma/Degree Program proceeds according to a reasonable schematic plan, and that the terms of this Agreement are carried out. Each institution may name a substitute or replacement of its coordinator. Each program coordinator will ensure that the partner institution has available to it all information appropriate to the promotion of the program. 6. Duration, Amendment, Review and Termination of Agreement This Agreement shall be in force from and be binding upon the parties for a period of 4 years. It shall be subject to revision, modification or renewal by mutual written Agreement. The Agreement may be terminated at the request of either institution, provided such request is made in writing at least twelve months before termination is to become effective. Any termination of the Agreement must take into account the rights of students already participating or accepted for any exchange to complete the parts of the study program which will be carried out under the responsibility of the host institution. An evaluation of this Agreement will be initiated by both institutions at least twelve months prior to its expiration to ascertain if the program should be continued and, if so, how it might be improved. 1 Please indicate details here. 2 Please indicate details here ECTS credit points in the case that the overall Program comprises not more than 120 ECTS credit points; otherwise 60 ECTS credit points. 4 Minimum duration of the Agreement = foreseen duration of the study program plus one academic year.

7 3 IN WITNESS THEREOF this Agreement has been signed by the proper officers of each institution. XXX YYY Appendix A: Criteria of nomination 5 Appendix B: Criteria according to art. 3 5 Specimen of documents can also be added.

8 Beilage zu GZ /8-VII/11/2004 Vereinbarung über ein Doppeldiplom-Programm zwischen der XXX und der YYY Zum Zweck der Entwicklung weiterer internationaler Studienmöglichkeiten für Studierende der XXX und der YYY und einer Festigung der internationalen Beziehungen zwischen den beiden Institutionen haben die XXX and die YYY beschlossen, die vorliegende Vereinbarung zur Einrichtung eines Doppeldiplom-Programms abzuschließen. 1. Ziele Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Vereinbarung bedeutet Heimatinstitution diejenige Institution, an der ein/e Studierende/r formal als ordentliche/r Studierende/r zugelassen ist. Gastinstitution bedeutet diejenige Institution, welche zur Aufnahme von Studierenden der Heimatinstitution für einen bestimmten Teil des Studiums bereit ist. Die vorliegende Vereinbarung ermöglicht es Studierenden der XXX und der YYY, nach Erfüllung der im Folgenden festgelegten Erfordernisse durch eine gemeinsame Verleihungsurkunde sowohl den akademischen Grad der Heimatinstitution verliehen zu bekommen als auch die Rechtswirkungen des entsprechenden akademischen Grades der Gastinstitution zu erhalten. 2. Kandidat/inn/en für das Doppeldiplom-Programm Ordentliche Studierende an der XXX oder an der YYY haben Zugang zum Doppeldiplom- Programm. Die betreffenden Studierenden werden von der Heimatinstitution einem Auswahlverfahren für Doppeldiplom-Kandidat/inn/en unterzogen. Die Heimatinstitution respektiert dabei die Zulassungsvoraussetzungen und Immatrikulationserfordernisse der Gastinstitution. Doppeldiplom-Kandidat/inn/en werden von der Heimatinstitution nominiert. Diese Nominierung ersetzt den Nachweis der allgemeinen Universitätsreife und die Beglaubigung. Einzelheiten der Nominierung sind im Anhang A enthalten. Doppeldiplom-Kandidat/inn/en unterliegen den üblichen Regeln, Rechtsvorschriften und Immatrikulationserfordernissen der Gastinstitution. Sie erhalten die Zulassung an der Gastinstitution nur für diejenigen Teile des Studiums, die unter der Verantwortung der Gastinstitution durchgeführt werden. Hinsichtlich des Zulassungsverfahrens werden ihnen alle Erleichterungen gewährt, die den Kandidat/inn/en im Rahmen von Mobilitätsprogrammen zustehen. Sie werden auf der Grundlage der Gegenseitigkeit für die an der Gastinstitution durchgeführten Studienteile von der Entrichtung von Studienbeiträgen befreit.

9 3. Prüfungen und wissenschaftliche Arbeiten 2 Prüfungen werden unter der Verantwortung beider Institutionen organisiert. Die Prüfungssenate setzen sich wie folgt zusammen: 6 Jede Institution nominiert die Prüfer/innen wie folgt: 7 Diplom- und Magisterarbeiten werden gemeinsam von beiden Institutionen betreut. Zu diesem Zweck wählen die Doppeldiplom-Kandidat/inn/en eine/n Hauptbetreuer/in aus einer der beiden Institutionen und erhalten zusätzlich eine/n zweite/n Betreuer/in aus der anderen Institution. Beide Betreuer/innen sind Mitglieder des Prüfungssenats für die mündliche Diplom- bzw. Magisterprüfung. Einzelheiten sind im Anhang B enthalten. 4. Bedingungen für die Erlangung des Doppeldiploms Das Doppeldiplom wird erst verliehen, nachdem die/der Studierende ihr/sein Studium an der Heimatinstitution abgeschlossen und zusätzlich folgende Voraussetzungen erfüllt hat: a. Erreichen von mindestens 30/60 8 ECTS-Anrechnungspunkten unter der Verantwortung der Gastinstitution; b. Abfassen einer Diplom- bzw. Magisterarbeit; und c. erfolgreiches Bestehen der mündlichen oder schriftlichen Diplom- bzw. Magisterprüfungen. Mit der Urkunde über das Doppeldiplom werden sowohl der akademische Grad der Heimatinstitution als auch die Rechtswirkungen des entsprechenden akademischen Grades der Gastinstitution verliehen. Sie wird gemeinsam von beiden Institutionen in deutscher und... Sprache ausgestellt. In Österreich erfüllt diese Urkunde die Erfordernisse eines Verleihungsbescheides. Zum Zweck der internationalen Mobilität wird in Verbindung mit der Urkunde über das Doppeldiplom ein Anhang zum Diplom ( Diploma Supplement ) gemäß Art. IX.3 des Lissabonner Anerkennungsübereinkommens vom 11. April 1997 ausgestellt. 5. Programmkoordination Jede Institution nominiert eine/n Programmkoordinator/in, um sicherzustellen, dass das Doppeldiplom-Programm in einem angemessenen Verfahren abläuft und die Bedingungen der vorliegenden Vereinbarung eingehalten werden. Jede Institution kann eine Vertretung bzw. einen Ersatz der/des von ihr nominierten Programmkoordinators/-in namhaft machen Jede/r Programmkoordinator/in stellt sicher, dass die Partnerinstitution alle Informationen zur Verfügung hat, die zur Förderung des Programms geeignet sind. 6. Dauer, Änderungen, Überprüfung und Beendigung der Vereinbarung Die vorliegende Vereinbarung tritt mit in Kraft und ist für die Vertragsparteinen für einen Zeitraum von 9 Jahren verbindlich. Sie kann durch eine übereinstimmende schriftliche Vereinbarung überarbeitet, geändert oder erneuert werden. 6 Bitte hier die Details einfügen. 7 Bitte hier die Details einfügen ECTS-Anrechnungspunkte für den Fall, dass das gesamte Studium bis zu 120 ECTS-Anrechnungspunkte umfasst; ansonsten 60 ECTS-Anrechnungspunkte. 9 Mindestdauer der Vereinbarung = geplante Dauer des Studiums zuzüglich eines akademichen Jahres.

10 3 Die vorliegende Vereinbarung kann über Ersuchen einer der beiden Institutionen beendet werden, wenn dieses Ersuchen mindestens zwölf Monate vor der beabsichtigten Wirksamkeit der Beendigung schriftlich eingebracht wird. Jede Beendigung der Vereinbarung muss darauf Rücksicht nehmen, das solche Studierende, die schon an einem Austausch teilnehmen oder dafür ausgewählt sind, das Recht haben, diejenigen Teile des Studiums, die unter der Verantwortung der Gastinstitution durchgeführt werden, ordnungsgemäß abzuschließen. Eine Evaluierung der vorliegenden Vereinbarung wird von beiden Institutionen spätestens zwölf Monate vor seinem Außer-Kraft-Treten in die Wege geleitet, um festzustellen, ob das Programm fortgesetzt und, wenn ja, wie es verbessert werden soll. ZU URKUND DESSEN ist die vorliegende Vereinbarung von den hiefür bevollmächtigten Organen der beiden Institutionen unterzeichnet worden. XXX YYY Anhang A: Kriterien für die Nominierung 10 Anhang B: Kriterien gemäß Art Auch Musterdokumente können angeschlossen werden.