Abstract:

In order to adapt its academic structure to the targets set in the Bologna Declaration, University College Dublin (UCD), National University of Ireland, has undertaken in recent years the process of modularisation of its programmes.
Formally, this UCD process implies structuring the undergraduate degrees in three or four stages (years) and the postgraduate in one or two. Each stage consists of 60 ECTS (two semesters of 30 ECTS) and, in general, is organised in 12 modules (6 per semester) of 5 ECTS each. Academically, the modularisation emphasises learning, not teaching; the role of the lecturers changes from teacher to “learning facilitator”. From a regulatory perspective, the UCD internal regulation moved from the Mark and Standards, which guided degree requirements before the modularisation, to the Academic Regulations.
These changes affected all UCD programmes, including those in Spain. UCD offers two of its programmes in Spain, in business and in architecture. The modularisation of these programmes was introduced in the 2010/2011 academic year, and once the first semester modules were completed, an initial comparative analysis of the academic results for the architecture programme indicates better student academic performance.

Keywords:

European Higher Education Area, Bologna Declaration, ECTS, Modularisation.