The Draft Law on Higher Education, prepared by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MPNI), defines that courses would be organized as undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD. It is planned that instead of the current 3+2+3 model, a flexible model of learning is going to be introduced, where undergraduate courses would last three years, postgraduate courses would be one or two-year study programs, while PhD programs, like before, would be realized as three-year courses.
“The law foresees the introduction of mandatory practical lessons with at least 30 ECTS credits per learning program for undergraduate courses, as well as a different way of functioning and organizational structure of the Agency for Quality Assurance of Higher Education (the former Agency for Control and Quality Assurance of Higher Education)”, the ministry says.
They also clarify that the Draft Law on Higher Education is proposed with the aim of improving quality in higher education, harmonizing education with the needs of the labor market, improving practical teaching, the status of academic staff, enrollment policy, and creating competitive staff on the labor market.
The draft law recognizes a three-cycle learning model that will be implemented in undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses.
It is emphasized that the proposed draft law envisages undergraduate degrees implemented at institutions of higher education in Montenegro equating to 180 ECTS credits.
“Postgraduate courses can be realized as a specialist degree, lasting one year and comprising 60 ECTS credits, while master’s degree would last one or two years and comprise 60 ECTS credits, i.e. 120 ECTS credits. PhD courses can only be accredited as academic and correspond to 180 ECTS credits,” the MPNI points out.
