The development of a system of study credits in Ukraine: the case of policy layering in the Bologna Process

ABSTRACT

The Bologna Process is an intergovernmental initiative aimed to make higher education degrees compatible in Europe. Previous research into the implementation of the Bologna objectives (or action lines) views the influence of the context as a challenge. This article suggests a different approach for analysing the implementation of the Bologna action lines. By applying the policy layering perspective, this article suggests positioning change in Bologna, and the influence of the context and its established policy conventions as two interconnected potentially productive powers that converge in one policy process. This article invites to view the context not only as a restraining problem but also as a co-moulder of Bologna implementation. To achieve this aim, the article relies on the findings from a case study of one of the Bologna action lines in Ukraine – a system of study credits in Ukraine.

KEYWORDS:

• The Bologna Process
• Bologna
• system of credits
• Ukraine
• policy layering

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

This article is based on Iryna Kushnir’s PhD research which she conducted at the University of Edinburgh. She also worked as a tutor in Social Policy and Education at that institution. Iryna Kushnir is now a University Teacher in Social Policy at the University of Sheffield.