EU sets out road map for joint European degree

On Monday (12 May), the Council of the European Union has adopted conclusions outlining a five-year roadmap for the development of a joint European degree and a European degree label. The plan aims to deepen cross-border academic cooperation and reinforce the European Education Area, writes Runfeng Huang.

The joint European degree initiative will support transnational study programmes offered by at least two higher education institutions in different EU countries. Students who complete these programmes could receive a single qualification recognized across participating countries, helping streamline academic mobility and promote the visibility of joint European programmes.

To complement this, the Council endorsed further testing of a European degree label. This label would not replace national diplomas but would certify that a joint programme meets EU-wide standards for quality and cooperation.

The roadmap sets out actions from now until 2030. These include continued pilot projects, legal and technical assessments, and consultations with universities and national authorities. The European Commission will coordinate the effort and explore whether new legislation might be needed to support implementation.

Andrzej Szeptycki, Polish Deputy Minister for Science and Higher Education, said the plan is part of a broader push to “boost the attractiveness and competitiveness of European higher education on a global scale.”

EU ministers also stressed the need to reduce administrative and legal barriers to joint degrees. Anna Panagopoulou, Director for ERA and Innovation at the European Commission, highlighted that making joint degrees easier to implement is crucial to meeting Europe’s education, innovation, and labour market goals.

Mariya Gabriel, former Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, welcomed the Council's move, saying it “sends a strong signal” to universities that the EU is committed to supporting long-term collaboration across borders.

The conclusions build on existing efforts such as the Erasmus+ programme and European Universities alliances. The overall objective, according to the Council, is to help create a more integrated, resilient, and globally competitive European Higher Education Area.

Sources: The European Council, Science Business, Research Professional News

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