Brussels rolls out plans for a European degree
Graduate diploma - Photo by Merve ÇAKIR on Pexels
(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission presented Wednesday three initiatives to advance transnational cooperation between higher education institutions, with the ultimate goal of creating a European degree.
The blueprint proposes a concrete cooperation path and outlines support measures for European Union (EU) countries and their higher education systems towards the creation of a European degree.
As part of the package, the Commission also adopted 2 proposals for Council recommendations on a European quality assurance and recognition system in higher education; and on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education.
A European degree would be a new type of degree awarded after transnational Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral programmes delivered at national, regional, or institutional level. This would be automatically recognised everywhere in the EU, awarded jointly and on a voluntary basis by a group of universities across Europe, and based on a common set of criteria agreed at European level.
The Commission cites the aim of the proposal as to contribute to Europe’s competitiveness by equipping graduates with future-proof skills to master the green and digital transitions; and to provide "a strong symbol of our common European identity and strong sense of European belonging, reinforcing our common academic values and bringing people and universities together".
On the added value of a European degree, the EU executive says that, for students, it will offer more opportunities to study at various universities in different EU countries and to graduate with one universally recognised diploma. It will give access to innovative and transdisciplinary learning opportunities across campuses to acquire the future-proof skills that Europe needs.
For higher education institutions, it will make it simpler to set up a joint degree programme with several universities across Europe, by removing unnecessary barriers. It will also help those universities to increase their competitiveness and attractiveness.
For employers, it will ease the recruitment of highly skilled qualified graduates who are ready to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Bearing in mind the diversity of Europe's higher education systems, the Commission is proposing a gradual approach for EU countries towards a European degree, with 2 possible entry points:
- A preparatory European label - given to joint degree programmes that meet the European criteria; this means students receive a European degree label certificate together with their joint degree
- A European degree - a new type of qualification awarded either jointly by several universities from different countries or possibly by a European legal entity established by such universities; this means students receive a ‘European degree’
The package will now be discussed with the Council of the EU and key stakeholders in higher education in the coming months.