University Teaching Qualification (BKO)
Good teaching is a skill in itself. In order to guarantee the quality of education in the Netherlands, the University Teaching Qualification (Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs, BKO) is now compulsory for all lecturers, university lecturers (UD), senior university lecturers (UHD) and professors. What does this qualification mean for you?
The BKO is a mark of quality used by all Dutch universities. It functions as a reliable frame of reference with respect to your didactic skills. The BKO track consists of a series of modules, allowing lecturers to assess and develop all facets of teaching. At the end of the track, you are awarded a BKO certificate. Once you have completed the BKO certification, you are qualified for all Dutch universities.
Do I need a BKO?
If you have an appointment for 0.5 FTE or more as lecturer, university lecturer (UD), senior university lecturer (UHD) or professor for one year or longer, you are required to be in possession of a BKO. If you were recently appointed and are not yet in possession of a BKO, you have two years to complete the BKO track. Without BKO you cannot be appointed on a permanent contract or promoted to a higher position.
Where can I complete the BKO track?
You can obtain the Basic Qualification in Education at Leiden University. If you have already obtained a BKO certificate from another Dutch university, this will be accepted and you will not need to repeat the BKO track.
Can I teach without a BKO?
If you do not need a BKO and are still required to teach, you are expected to improve your didactic skills. You may begin for instance by following the Starter’s Course in Basic Didactic Skills offered by LLInC. Some faculties have also developed their own courses. For more information, please contact your institute manager.
What does the BKO track look like?
The BKO track begins with a meeting with your faculty’s BKO contact person. This person will conduct an intake interview with you on behalf of the faculty assessment committee and explain the steps you need to take to obtain your BKO. As a rule, this involves taking a number of compulsory BKO courses and compiling a portfolio, including relevant appendices.
You have two years to compile your portfolio and obtain your BKO. Once your portfolio is complete, the committee will assess it. If you meet the requirements, you will receive your BKO certificate, signed by the dean of your faculty and the rector magnificus.
BKO portfolio
To obtain a BKO certificate, you have to create a portfolio of evidence that you meet the BKO learning outcomes. This portfolio should give the assessment committee a clear idea of your qualities.
Your portfolio consists of your Teaching CV and reflection reports on the five competences against which you are assessed (Teaching in practice, Testing and Assessment, Educational Design, Organisation of Education and Management, and Reflection). The portfolio also includes a declaration of original work, in which you confirm that your portfolio consists of your own, unique work. To support your reflection reports, you must include supporting documents in your portfolio, such as student evaluations and observation reports. You must also include, where applicable, the Basic English Language Proficiency Certificate (BKE) from the Academic Language Centre.
You must compile your portfolio using the ‘BKO portfolio format’document. Always use the document ‘Guidelines for writing your portfolio’ when writing your portfolio. This includes instructions on the topics to be covered and an overview of the compulsory and optional attachments you must submit with your portfolio.
Please note: your faculty may have different requirements for the portfolio. Your BKO contact person will be happy to provide you with further information.
What if I teach in English?
If you teach in English you are also required to complete an English Language Proficiency Qualification (Basiskwalificatie Taalvaardigheid Engels, BKE). The required level of English proficiency is C-1. The track consists of a test. If applicable, you will be awarded a separate BKE certificate, which you can include in your BKO portfolio.
Support from Leiden University
Do you have any questions? Your faculty’s BKO contact person can tell you more about the programme during the intake interview and put you in touch with a personal mentor. You can also find plenty of information in the Frequently Asked Questions about the BKO.
About BKO
The quality of teaching is of central importance to Faculty Governance and Global Affairs in The Hague. One of the ways in which this comes to expression is the Basic Teaching Qualification (or BKO as it is usually referred to). Teaching is a skill that needs to be developed and maintained. The BKO is a certificate that is awarded to university teachers who can demonstrate that they have the basic teaching skills required to teach students at university level. For the BKO regulation, click here. In 2008 the Dutch universities have agreed to introduce BKO at all universities and to accept the certificates from other universities as proof of proficiency in teaching.
The BKO is compulsory for all academic staff with an appointment as Docent, UD, UHD or Hoogleraar, and who have an appointment of 0,5 fte or more for a duration of at least one year. The BKO certification is a compulsory requirement for promotion to a higher scale or for a fixed contract.
But BKO is also interesting for those who are not in this target group; the trajectory can be used to develop your teaching skills further or to work on a specific area of didactics.
For more information contact the BKO-secretary
New exceptions for the English Language Proficiency Qualification (Basiskwalificatie Taalvaardigheid Engels) When lecturers teach in English they are also required to complete an English Language Proficiency Qualification (Basiskwalificatie Taalvaardigheid Engels, BKE). The required level of English proficiency is C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This remains valid, but with the exemptions described here.
Procedure
The BKO-procedure should not take more than two years to complete and can in many cases be shorter. Faculty Governance and Global Affairs has two pathways leading to the BKO certification. Both pathways consist of the same three steps, but what needs to be done in each step differs.
1. Intake: the intake with the secretary is the first step for all candidates. During this meeting the previous experience and learning needs of the candidate are discussed and it is decided if the candidate is a new or experienced teacher. In case of doubt, this is discussed in the next committee meeting.
- New teachers: this pathway for those who are new to the teaching profession, or have perhaps taught some courses as teaching assistant, but have never designed or developed their own courses. This pathway will assist and support the development of didactical skills in an individual made to measure programme.
- Experienced teachers: teachers with 3-5 years experience in Higher Education, immediately prior to the application, can qualify for the Experienced Teacher pathway. Experienced teachers can progress to the application file immediately.
2. Development Plan and Application File: After the intake of new teachers, a supervisor is appointed. Together with the supervisor, the candidate writes a development plan, which includes a.o. which courses the candidate will teach, or which didactical courses will be taken. For available courses look here. At the end of the training period, the candidate hands in an application file.
Experienced teachers can proceed to their application file immediately. The format for both application files is discussed in the intake.
3. Assessment: the BKO-committee assesses each application file to determine if the attainment levels have been met. If there is a positive verdict, the Dean of the Faculty will be advised to certify the candidate. A certificate signed by the Vice-Rector Magnificus and the Dean of the Faculty will be handed out to the candidate. If there is a negative verdict, the candidate will be asked to provide more information or take didactical courses. See the flowchart for more information.