Further steps towards a joint European degree label
Further steps towards a joint European degree label
As part of the higher education package, the Council of the European Union adopted last 13th of May approved a resolution on a joint European degree label and the next steps towards a possible joint European degree. CHARM-EU contributed to previous steps through the European Degree Pilot ED-AFFICHE.
In a recommendation and parallel resolution agreed, education ministers have laid the groundwork for the implementation of a joint European degree label and set out the next steps towards the possible introduction of a joint European degree.
The two texts approved on May 13th set out the Council’s ambition for the future of European higher education, while also outlining the practical elements of the process towards achieving this ambition. Taken together, they respond to the pressing need to strengthen the attractiveness of Europe’s universities and raise their global standing at a time of increasing geopolitical challenges.
“The agreements reached yesterday bring us a step closer to one of the key strategic priorities for the future of higher education in the European Union: a possible joint European degree that would boost the attractiveness and competitiveness of European higher education on a global scale. They represent an important milestone in our efforts to deepen European cooperation in the Higher Education sector and reinforce its global standing”, Andrzej Szeptycki, Polish Deputy Minister for Science and Higher Education.
The two texts approved at today’s meeting set out the Council’s ambition for the future of European higher education, while also outlining the practical elements of the process towards achieving this ambition. Taken together, they respond to the pressing need to strengthen the attractiveness of Europe’s universities and raise their global standing at a time of increasing geopolitical challenges.
The Council’s resolution sets out the member states’ vision for a joint European degree label and proposes a roadmap towards a possible joint European degree, with three phases to be carried out by 2029.
The Council also published a recommendation on a European quality assurance and recognition system in higher education.The accompanying recommendation specifies the criteria for awarding the joint European degree label. The label would be granted to joint programmes delivered via transnational cooperation between universities from different countries, including at least two EU member states.
“European Degree objective is facilitate and increase the joint transnational degrees in Europe. These joint degrees give the students the opportunity to obtain a degree moving seamlessly to different countries in Europe. This will make Europe Higher Education System more attractive and competitive”, Meritxell Chaves, Secretary General of CHARM-EU.
Previous steps: the European Degree Pilots
CHARM-EU contributed to advance towards an European Degree through the European Degree Pilot ED-AFFICHE. The core of this project was a strong group of complementary European University Alliances: CHARM-EU, Una Europa, Unite!, EU-CONEXUS, 4EU+, and EC2U , and their 51 higher education institutions, covering 22 countries across Europe. ED-AFFICHE was supported by 19 national and regional ministries and 15 national accreditation and quality assurance agencies.
AFFICHE was a year-long initiative to pilot the European Degree. Through mapping existing joint programmes, analysing joint programmes criteria and legal hurdles, the consortium developed key recommendations designed to guide the implementation of the European Degree for all stakeholders, including the European Commission, national education authorities, quality assurance agencies, and universities themselves.
