Advanced Studies Standards
Introduction
The University of Basel’s Advanced Studies represent a well-established, progressive and high-quality continuing education system. The learning structure of the Advanced Studies programmes is explicitly adapted to meet the needs of professional individuals with equivalent academic qualifications at post-secondary level. In addition to transferring expert knowledge, the programmes aim to stimulate interdisciplinary, widely applicable expertise, the development of a deeper understanding of the subject matter and its practical integration into the professional field.
Research and education are key factors in our heavily knowledge-based society. Modern societies have become highly reliant on the combined specialist and general skills of those who contribute towards the creation of social and economic value. In order to find solutions for current and future problems of society and economy, critical reflection, open and interdisciplinary cooperation and clear communication are essential.
In the context of rapidly changing professional requirements and shifting lifestyles, continuing education has also gained new significance – it is one of the preferred models for making new life choices in modern society.
With these aspects in mind, continuing education after the completion of previous university studies (at postgraduate or quaternary level) is an important way in which science can contribute towards the educational chain. With its Advanced Studies, the University of Basel offers quaternary educational programmes of exemplary quality.
Advanced Studies are aimed at students who are familiar with the basic concepts and methods of scientific processes and the academic way of learning. In addition, the students should have an in-depth knowledge of the most important elements of their subject and a strong motivation to pursue life-long learning at university level.
In order to generate added value in the professional sphere, whether in the sense of a vertical or horizontal career, the Advanced Studies programmes offer high standards in terms of both content and teaching. At the same time, they enable the direct transfer of knowledge into professional and everyday life.
All forms of continuing education – programmes and short courses – offered under the heading of Advanced Studies share common values, which are reflected in the following basic principles.
1 Combination of science and professional practice
The Advanced Studies programmes enhance the skills profile acquired through training, professional experience and life experience with science-based knowledge and expertise, which is important when it comes to pursuing new professional roles and fields of activity.
The choice of subjects, expert teaching, guided discussions, use of real-life case studies and projects involved in the Advanced Studies form the basis for building a direct link between the taught contents and the professional practice of the students. The focus of the programmes is on enhancing the problem-solving skills that are developed through practical tasks which are closely related to the relevant fields of work.
2 Personal development
The Advanced Studies generate added value in many different ways. The students acquire sound expert knowledge, which is an important asset for further qualifications and career advancement. However, the programmes are also designed to give students the opportunity to develop creatively on a personal level and therefore enrich their quality of life on a long-term basis.
The programmes are aimed at professional individuals who are keen to acquire new knowledge and meaningful experience. Aside from this, the opportunity to communicate intensively with other people interested in the same subject opens up new ways for personal development by enabling informal learning activities to develop and flourish and encouraging the creation of added value.
3 Networking
The Advanced Studies programmes maintain professional relationships with the relevant national and international institutions for the respective subject areas, such as scientific research institutes, public authorities, economic institutes, specialist organisations and professional associations. The students are therefore presented with a wide range of opportunities to establish contacts with knowledge communities and social networks which may be useful to them in their professional life.
4 Learning culture
The Advanced Studies programmes promote a stimulating culture of learning and combine this with highly informative methods of teaching. The programmes therefore provide the best possible conditions for learning. The lecturers focus on the students and think in terms of individual developmental portfolios. Objectives, contents and methods as well as the individual learning needs of the students are evaluated and regularly updated.
5 Key skills
A key area for development within the Advanced Studies is interdisciplinary skills (generic competencies), which are important for problem-solving within the context of work and society. These skills include:
- The ability to combine knowledge and skills from different subjects and fields of activity to create new, integrated capabilities.
- The ability to observe, reflect on one’s own thinking, assess problems from different perspectives, and therefore avoid field-dependence, e.g. a blinkered attitude to one's work.
- An understanding of complex systems and their complex social, economic, technical, political, cultural and psychological influencing factors.
6 Appreciation of the students
Lecturers and students work together in partnership and on an equal standing. The relationship between the lecturers and students is one of mutual appreciation. The students are not only contributing towards their own process of value creation, but also play a part in adding value to the programme as a whole. The Advanced Studies promote a high level of intro-spective learning observation. The students dedicate themselves intensively to their studies and set their own learning objectives independently.
7 Integration in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and recognition of degrees; International standards
The Advanced Studies programmes meet international standards, both professionally and in terms of adult education. They are coordinated with the concepts and structures required for creating a standardised European Higher Education Area. They aim for the highest possible recognition value within the EHEA, within the context of national university accreditation and specialist accreditation from professional organisations.
8 Quality development
The programmes are systematically geared towards the improvement of quality and the pursuit of product leadership within an environment of comparable programmes on offer. The quality measures are aimed, on the one hand, at fulfilling the standards described here and, on the other hand, at qualifying the students in the most effective way possible for their further professional development. Advisory boards composed of academic and professional experts support the various Advanced Studies programmes.
The Advanced Studies Standards were compiled by the Advanced Study Centre in cooperation with the Directors of Studies, published on 30th October 2010.
