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International Master in Early Childhood Education and Care (IMEC)

Programme website	http://www.imec.hio.no/ (Opens in new window)
Contact (person and/or unit)	Anne Greve
Email	imec@hio.no
Programme duration	IMEC is a two-year international Master Programme (120 ECTS) in Early Childhood Education and Care. All students will follow a given structure, spending at least one semester at all three partner institutions. IMEC is offered in cooperation between Oslo University College (Norway), University of Malta (Malta), and Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland).
Programme description	The aim of the programme is to integrate research, professional development and wareness and knowledge of key policy issues at an advanced level by increasing mobility, shared learning and thinking, thus contributing to achieve the goal of a unified teaching, learning and research environment, strengthening the Bologna process. To integrate research, professional development and policy at an advanced level within the field of early childhood education and care. To gain knowledge of the tension between general policy targets, the increasing diversity of family structures and the need to strengthen children's right as citizens. To bridge the gap between quality provision and the lack of higher education and research within the field of early childhood education and care. To explore the increasing pressure on early education and care systems arising from socio-economic and socio-cultural transformations, to focus not only on educational institutions but on children's early learning in a broad variety of formal and informal learning contexts. To foster critical awareness of cultural and individual diversity from a political and professional perspective.
Application deadline	All prospective third country students must submit a complete application within 1st November 2010. The application must not be in Norway by then, but post stamped only. Application deadline for European students is 15th December 2010. Only successful applicants will be notified of their admission. Successful third country students will be notified in early April.
Nokut certification	Yes (What is this?) NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) NOKUT is an independent state body whose purpose is to safeguard and develop the quality of Norwegian higher educational institutions. This is done through evaluation, accreditation and recognition of quality systems, institutions and study programmes. Only courses that are accredited or recognised by NOKUT, or are accredited as a result of the institution's blanket accreditation, have the right to be called "higher education". More information about NOKUT: www.nokut.no
Formal prerequisites	Bachelor degree or equivalent in or with significant relevance to early childhood education Sufficient command of written and oral English Computer knowledge and skills The applications are evaluated by a combination of different factors. The factors and their weight are: Relevance and excellence of academic background (weight: 50%) Relevant experience and professional training (weight: 25%) The submitted statement of purpose (weight: 15%) Letters of reference (weight: 10%)
Tuition	Tuition fee for Third country students and students from Western Balkans or Turkey: 4000 Euros per semester. Tuition fee for students from the EU, EFTA - EEA member states, or students who are citizens of a third country but has carried out their main activity (studies training or work) in EU for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years: 2000 Euros per semester The Consortia will apply for Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the successful candidates. The scholarship will cover the tuition fee.
Subject area	Education - Teacher Training
Degree level	Master
City	Oslo, Dublin, Malta
Credits	120 ECTS
Language of teaching	English
Scholarship	Yes
Scholarship Description	For the year 2010-2012, there are 10 scholarships available for third country students, 8 scholarships for students from the EU/EEA-EFTA states and 2 scholarships for students from the area of Western Balkans and Turkey. The number of scholarships available for the class 2011-13 has not yet been decided.
Application procedures	The application process consists of two steps; First you have to fill out and electronically submit the application form. Then you have to send in hard copies of the required attachments. A complete application consists of the following: Diplomas and transcripts must be in original or officially verified copies. If the original language is another language than English, students must supply a translation of their diploma and transcripts. The translation must be done by an authorized translator. Language skills: Students from non-English speaking countries must have passed: either IELTS (International English Language Testing System) (minimum score: 5.5 points) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) (minimum score: 550 on the paper based test, 213 on the computer based test, or 79 on the Internet based test). There are also other language tests which are approved. Please see the link "Language requirements" below for a complete list. Please enclose the test certificate in your application. Students from an English speaking country or who have completed a degree with English as the means of education, do not have to submit the English tests. The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) grants several other exemptions from English language tests: Language requirements Statement of purpose: I.e. motivation, subject of interest, plans for students studies, which competencies and skills students would like to achieve, what student would like to do after completion, etc) . Maximum 350 words. Must be submitted in English. Relevant experience and professional training : CV. Relevant work experience must be documented. Letter of reference: 1-3 letters. Reference letters must be written in English Verification of identity (copy of passport, attestation from the National Population Register) Officially certified copies (with stamp and signature) of examination certificates and testimonies must be enclosed to the application if students want them to be considered for admission. Please note that it is the full responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary documentation. Official transcript of records and education and work experience lacking documentation will not be considered for admission. Submitted certificates and documents will not be returned to sender. In cases where candidates have the same number of credits for admission, preference will be given to the gender which has fewer applicants. In other cases applicants will be chosen by drawing lots.