According to European Short Learning consortium, a short learning programme (SLP) can be described as a group of courses (units, modules or other learning building blocks) with a common subject, designed in response to a specific need, that targets higher education lifelong learners and delivers credit-based (ECTS) certification/credentials.

The main features of SLPs are the following, (and are in line with the CMF): SLPs consist of a coherent set of learning building blocks (or microcredentials) organised around steady learning outcomes, leading to an exam and ultimately to a credential/qualification; SLPs vary in size, from 5 to 30 ECTS, and can reach 5 to 8 EQF level; a SLP is provided by a HEIs; SLPs can be delivered in online or blended mode; SLPs can be stackable to a bigger programme such as an academic degree; a SLP credential is accompanied by a document that details the main characteristics of the programme and the achievements of the student; the quality of these SLPs is assessed by the internal quality assurance procedure of each HEI*.

Are you in need of more info? Contact us or check this document out: https://e-slp.eadtu.eu/images/Concept_and_role_of_SLPs.pdf

*When it is required, SLPs can be subject to an ex-post accreditation by an external accreditation agency. Read More

For Learners
SLPs are shorter programmes stackable to larger one such as a degree. These short programmes enable learners to have a feeling of progressing as they need less time to achieve a milestone. At the end of a SLP, after assessment, is awarded to the learner a credential that contains information related to the title of the qualification, the number of ECTS, the learning outcomes/competences, the level of the course achieved, assessment info and the grades earned. SLPs make use of the Bologna tools (ECTS, EQF and diploma supplements) to be easier recognized among HEIs, therefore encouraging (virtual) mobility.

For Higher Education Institutions/ Providers
SLPs, like Microcredentials, are an answer to the need of Continue Professional Development (CDP) and Continue Education (CE) that represent our society. For an HEI including in its offering SLPs implies responding to the needs of society, in general, and the needs of many learners, in particular. Read More

Are 2 faces of the same coin. A micro-credential is a certified short learning experience, offered by an HEI or other providers, designed to provide the learner with specific knowledge/skills/competences that respond to societal, personal, cultural or employability needs. Microcredentials are subjected to a quality assurance assessment in line with the ESG (Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area). As a consequence, they have an explicit reference to defined learning outcomes at a specific EQF-EHEA/NQF level that will be achieved, the workload, expressed in ECTs; and to the assessment methods and criteria adopted. Finally, each microcredential can be acknowledged by HEI as, and via, recognition of prior learning (RPL) (see report MICROBOL). The main difference is that SLPs are only provided by HEIs while microcredentials MOOC-based could be delivered by others, however the use of Bologna tools such as ECTS and EQF level, imply always the involvement of HEIs.

Within the European MOOC Consortium, coordinated by EADTU, has been developed a framework that enables the description and design of microcredential: the Common Microcredential Framework. CMF embed the following criteria:
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