Convergence European, university reforms, attitudes and practices of students

Abstract

Assuming that, in order to be successful, every quality system should start from a careful approach to the institution member characteristics, we focus our paper on current changing student composition at the university. Te basis for our analysis is a survey carried out in three European Regions (2003). According to it, we argue that the University must tackle with growing complexity due to the diversification of students: their characteristics, motivations, strategies, and biographical trajectories. We show that students are spending less time on campus and more time working in paid employment which mean a change in their preferences. In our opinion the increment of the students' diversity requires a new teaching methodology, if we want implement an efficient teaching system. We conclude stating that the implementation of European Credit Transfer System is a good opportunity to change teaching practices if this reform is held within a process of professionalisation of teaching practices.