Case study: RVA at the baccalaureate and higher education levels

Recognition of non-formal and informal learning at the baccalaureate and higher education levels is organised around a set of national criteria and standards and is directed at citizens aged 25 years and older who have acquired knowledge corresponding to this level through self-guided learning and work experience.

For attaining a baccalaureate, competences are assessed through a process divided into three parts:

• First, knowledge of Spanish, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and the Contemporary World, as well as reasoning and verbal skills are assessed through a general knowledge examination.
• Second, candidates complete a written examination covering the subjects Science, Technology and the Arts, including themes related to social, historical, and current affairs.
• Finally, students are required to take an oral examination chaired by two examiners. Candidates are evaluated against a baccalaureate graduate standard on verbal expression and their cultural and educational background.

In the case of citizens aged 30 years and older wishing to pursue a bachelor degree:

• Interested people over 30 years old receive information from the Ministry of Education about the requirements for the degree they are interested in. If they fulfil all requirements they are granted admission and directed to the National Centre of Assessment for Higher Education (CENEVAL).
• Both standardised tests and practical assessments are used.
• General examinations, interviews by a jury, presentation of a thesis and a final oral exam are used to determine candidates’ performance against the criteria specified for the level and subject.
• An additional practical assessment is required in some areas such as health and engineering. Bachelor degrees in early childhood education follow a slightly different process. Students in this area take a general exam and those who do not pass must complete a second practical assessment, which includes the presentation of a lesson plan and a video of the candidate teaching a sequence of activities related to their lesson plan.
• The awarding body is the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for issuing bachelor degrees and professional licences. Professional bodies are involved in the whole accreditation process from examination design through to the oral examination of candidates.

A crucial element of recognition practices at the baccalaureate and higher education levels is the close cooperation between the Ministry of Education and professional bodies.

Secretariat for Public Education (SEP)
Mexico City
Mexico