Introduction

The Bologna Process is an important coordination process between different higher education systems in Europe aimed at creating a European Higher Education Area. It also aims to develop higher education systems across Europe and strengthen academic competitiveness globally. The Bologna Declaration was signed in 1999 by higher education ministers from 29 European countries to reform the structure of higher education systems. Between 1999 and 2020, a series of ministerial conferences were held in Europe to highlight the progress achieved in European university systems through the Bologna Process. This process is now implemented in over 49 countries, including non-European nations5. This manual was prepared in accordance with the guidelines for implementing the Bologna Process at universities in the Kurdistan Region under Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Order No. (1723) dated November 7, 2022, and University of Duhok Decree No. (2453) dated March 12.

Importance of Implementing the Bologna Process

• Applies the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) based on student learning outcomes and student workload, placing the student at the center of learning (Student-Centred Learning).
• Facilitates students' acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competences required for the job market, thereby reducing unemployment and fostering economic growth.
• Simplifies the mobility of students, faculty, and administrative staff across universities.
• Provides equal opportunities for all students to pursue higher education regardless of economic, social, gender, age, religious, or ethnic backgrounds.
• Offers lifelong learning opportunities to enhance knowledge, skills, and competences through flexible learning pathways and transitions between study and work.
• Engages all stakeholders (higher education institutions, students, etc.) in decision-making and reform implementation.
• Enhances transparency, facilitating degree recognition and international academic mobility.
• Opens broader international study opportunities for students.

Bachelor Programme Modules

1. Core Modules: Mandatory academic courses specified in the curriculum.
2. Elective Modules: Optional courses students select to complete credit requirements.
3. Research Project: A compulsory core module required for graduation.
4. Internship: Practical training in public or private sectors required in specific academic departments.

Academic Study Duration

1. Each academic year consists of 2 regular semesters (Fall and Spring), each lasting 20 weeks (15 weeks of teaching + 5 weeks of final examinations). Summer break lasts 8 weeks.
2. The university may offer an optional summer semester (short term); students can register for a maximum of 12 ECTS credits during summer.
3. Academic Schedule:

• Fall Semester: 15 weeks teaching | 5 weeks final exams.
• Spring Semester: 15 weeks teaching | 5 weeks final exams.
• Summer Break: 8 weeks.

4. Academic Calendar: Students and teachers must strictly adhere to the official calendar published by the university.

Programme Registration

1. Students must register for their degree programme within the official university deadline managed by academic departments and college Bologna units.
2. Unexcused failure to register within the deadline bars the student from studying that semester, and the missed semester counts toward their maximum allowed study duration.

Module Registration

1. Students must register for modules at the start of each semester within the deadline set by the academic calendar.
2. Priority in registration is given to uncompleted or retake modules from previous semesters.
3. If a student failed a module previously but only needs to re-sit the final exam (without repeating attendance/class activities), the module's ECTS credits are divided by 3 when calculating workload load.
4. Standard semester load is 30 ECTS credits.
5. Students may add up to 6 additional ECTS credits (up to a maximum total workload of 36 ECTS credits) specifically to retake or catch up on previous failed/unregistered modules.
6. If a student fails to register for modules for 4 consecutive semesters, their enrollment is legally terminated.

Parallel Module Fees

1. Parallel programme tuition is calculated based on ECTS credit costs.
2. Cost per parallel ECTS credit = Annual Tuition Fee / 60 ECTs
3. Tuition fees for parallel ECTS credits must be paid during module registration.
4. Tuition fees for modules dropped during official adjustment periods are refunded; no refunds are granted after official deadlines pass.

Examination Regulations

1. A student must fulfill all module requirements (Module Requirements) to be eligible to participate in the final examinations for that module.
2. The module lecturer has the right to prevent a student from taking the final examination of the module due to non-fulfillment of the requirements for that module. In that case, the student must repeat that module (Module Retake).
3. The student has the right to submit an appeal to the headship of the scientific department when the module lecturer prevents the student from taking the final examination of the module due to non-fulfillment of module requirements.
4. The student must register to take the final examination for any module that the student has the right and desire to take. Otherwise, the student has no right to participate in the final examination of that module.
5. At the end of each semester, the student can take the examinations for those modules in which they participated, as well as the examinations for all other modules in which the student participated in previous semesters but did not pass, provided that the student has the right to take the final examination for those modules.
6. If a student registers to take the final examination for a module but does not take the final examination, at that time it will be counted as an examination attempt for the student.
7. If a student has registered to take the final examination for a module but was unable to attend the examination due to an unavoidable reason, at that time this will not be counted as an attempt for the student, provided that an official leave is obtained.
8. For each module, the student has the right to take the final examination 4 times, and if they are not successful in all 4 times, the student must repeat this module on a parallel basis3. The mark of the first attempt and other attempts will be counted as they are.
9. The student has no right to repeat examinations for modules they have passed.
10. Submitting grade appeals: The student has the right to submit a request to the scientific department to review their marks in any module for a period of three days after the publication of exam results, according to the applicable regulations.
11. If it is proven that a student committed cheating during midterm or final examinations:

• They will be considered to have failed all modules registered in that semester, and the student must repeat those modules in subsequent semesters.
• Those modules in which the student participated in previous semesters and registered in this semester to take their final examination will be considered failed4. The student can take the final examination for those modules in subsequent semesters without repeating those modules45.
• If the student commits cheating for the second time in midterm or final examinations, at that time the student will be dismissed (expelled / Tarqeen Qayd).

12. The passing mark for each module is 50%, provided that the student has fulfilled all required class activities of the module and participated in the final examination.

13. Student ranking after the conclusion of examinations will be based on the Semester Grade Point Average (GPA) for those students who have earned the credits for all modules of that semester, as shown below:

Implementation of Prerequisites

Students may register for interlinked modules provided they have completed all coursework activities and sat for the final examination of the prerequisite module in a prior semester.

Study Duration Limits

1. Maximum regular study duration = 1.5 times the standard programme length.
2. Extended study on a parallel basis is allowed up to an additional 0.5 of standard programme length.
3. Formal study postponement (leave of absence) is allowed up to 0.5 of standard duration; postponing 2 semesters does not count against maximum study duration limits.

Transfer Criteria to Higher Colleges

Top-ranking first-year students may transfer to higher/related departments under the following conditions:

1. Earned at least 60 ECTS credits in year one.
2. Passed all modules on the first attempt.
3. Ranked first in their department cohort.
4. Achieved a cumulative grade average of at least 80%.
5. Must be in their first year of university enrollment.

Grading System

• 90 – 100%: Excellent.
• 80 – <90%: Very Good.
• 70 – <80%: Good.
• 60 – <70%: Medium.
• 50 – <60%: Pass.
• 0 – <50%: Fail.

Numerical Scale (1.0 – 5.0):

• 100 – 95.0: 1.0 (Excellent performance).
• <95.0 – 90.5: 1.1 – 1.3 (Excellent).
• <90.5 – 80.0: 1.4 – 2.0 (Good).
• <80.0 – 65.0: 2.1 – 3.0 (Satisfactory).
• <65.0 – 50.0: 3.1 – 4.0 (Sufficient).
• <50.0: 5.0 (Insufficient / Fail).

Award of Degree

Degrees are awarded upon fulfilling all requirements:

1. Accumulating required total ECTS credits (240 or 300).
2. Passing all mandatory modules.
3. Submitting a graduation application approved by the college.
4. Fulfilling any other condition specified in applicable laws and regulations.

The degree is officially awarded at the end of all regular semesters. A student has the right to request a graduation confirmation/certificate at the end of any semester after completing all graduation requirements

Student graduation ranking is calculated based on the cumulative weighted average of all completed modules:

Cumulative GPA = Total (Module Mark × Module ECTs Credits) / Total Semester ECTs Credits

• Regulations for Bachelor Degree Based on Bologna Process (MoHESR)
• UoD Amendments
• Manual of Implementing Bologna Process for Bachelor Programmes at University of Duhok - 2023