The EADTU Micro-Credential Project (MCE)

Flexible, Customized Learning Opportunities

Partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing demand in recent years for short, flexible, and tailored learning opportunities. The EU supports such offerings, which are more and more often being labeled as “micro-credentials.” In Germany, however, there is a wide range of terms for short programs of that kind. They all have in common that they are usually offered in digital/blended format and target (lifelong) learners who are interested in studying, have already completed a degree, and/or are employed.

With study and continuing education programs that offer flexible learning paths to combine individual courses into certificates or entire degrees, the FernUniversität in Hagen has its finger on the pulse of the times. By offering a variety of compact, thematically focused educational programs, the FernUni has become one of the pioneers in the constantly growing field of higher education micro-credential offerings.

MCE Project

As part of the EADTU project Modularisation of Continuing Education and Professionalisation by Micro-Credentials (MCE), the FernUniversität in Hagen is working with 10 EU partners on the research task of exploring institutional strategies with regard to shorter learning programs and implementation options for micro-credentials. The MCE project is particularly concerned with the learner’s perspective and advising universities on course development as well as political actors on the further implementation of micro-credentials.

For more information, visit the MCE EADTU project website

Micro-Credential NEWS

On 16 February 2024, the Empowering Seminar/discussion forum titled Micro-Credentials: Integration, Recognition/Accreditation, Digital Certificates will be held in cooperation with the EADTU and the AI Campus 2.0 project of the FernUniversität in Hagen.

The FernUni’s two research pillars in the field of micro-credentials, the MCE project and the AI campus 2.0 project, are harnessing synergies by hosting an Empowering Seminar.

The seminar, facilitated by the EADTU, will offer participants – both FernUni staff and international experts – a chance to look at the opportunities and challenges of integrating study offerings from external institutions into the academic curriculum.

The event will address the urgent and delicate issues of integration, recognition, and accreditation of micro-credentials, as well as questions of recognizing short learning program certificates and receiving credits for certificates achieved through learning outside the university. And last but not least, there will be a discussion about digital certificates.

The seminar will take place online. You can find the agenda below.

Agenda (PDF 2 MB)
More information (PDF 177 KB)

Contact for registration and questions: Dr. Mirna Zeman
The EADTU, in collaboration with the European MOOC Consortium (EMC) and the MCE project (Modularisation of Continuing Education and Professionalisation by Micro-Credentials), has published the “Microcredential Monitor.”

In the ever-evolving educational landscape of continuing professional development, micro-credentials have proven to be a transformative force in providing learners with flexible ways to acquire new skills and knowledge.

Visit the Monitor for the latest information on key reports, policy initiatives, and research publications related to micro-credentials in higher education and lifelong learning!

EADTU Microcredential Monitor

Ein Bild, dass die MCE-Veröffentlichungen zeigt.

Outcomes

1 // Investigating modularization and micro-credentials from the learners’ perspective
Meta-research on the learner perspective on micro-credential formats and learning services for continuing education and professional development (2022)
Download: PDF for publication 1 (PDF 2 MB)

2 // Institutional leadership and micro-credentials
Analyzing and mapping of current institutional qualifications for continuing edcuation and professional development and micro-credentials in the partnership (2023)
Download: PDF for publication 2 (PDF 901 KB)

3 // Case studies on modularization and micro-credentialing
Report on modularization and micro-credentialing based on MCE case studies analysis (2023)
Download: PDF for publication 3 (PDF 3 MB)

Work Packages

Project management and coordination (EADTU)
Investigating modularization and micro-credentials from the learners’ perspective (UOC)
Institutional leadership and micro-credentials (FernUniversität in Hagen)
Empowering for transformative change (KU Leuven)
Pilot studies on modularization and micro-credentialing (Uninettuno und UNED)
Evidence-based recommendations on micro-credentials to national and EU level policy makers (UAb)