One step closer to the European Degree: Council of the EU approves 2 keys texts for the future of European Higher Education

14 May 2025 | From UNICA

The vision of a joint European degree is one step closer to becoming reality. At a meeting on 12 May 2025, EU education ministers adopted two key texts paving the way for the future of European Higher Education. With a recommendation and a resolution, the Council of the EU has laid the groundwork for a joint European degree label, marking a significant milestone toward the possible creation of a joint European degree.

Paving the way: what the texts say

According to official information from the Council, the two documents 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. While the resolution outlines a clear three-phase roadmap to be completed by 2029 for the progressive development of a joint European degree, the recommendation details the criteria for awarding the new degree label, which would be granted to joint programmes delivered through transnational cooperation between universities in at least two EU countries.

Quality assurance and automatic mutual recognition of qualifications are central to the initiative. The recommendation calls for processes that are international, flexible, and fit for purpose, enabling universities to adapt to today’s rapidly evolving societal needs. An annex also proposes building a dedicated framework for quality assurance within alliances of Higher Education institutions.

Why an European Degree?

The joint European degree label will build on the Bologna Process, which aims to bring more coherence to Higher Education systems across Europe. Serving as a mark of excellence, the label reinforces high quality standards and strengthens the European dimension of Higher Education.

This development follows the European Commission’s March 2024 package aimed at fostering stronger cooperation across Europe’s universities. The Council previously adopted a related recommendation on attractive and sustainable careers in Higher Education in November 2024.

UNICA views on this progress

UNICA welcomes the Council’s steps towards a more cohesive and integrated European Higher Education. We stress the particular importance of the step-by-step approach and the emphasis on building on the Bologna Process – a framework whose ambition and relevance extend beyond the borders of the EU.

As a collective of universities, we also take the opportunity to underline that Higher Education institutions must be actively and meaningfully involved in building the quality assurance process associated to the European Degree Label. Here’s why:

• To ensure the initiative brings real added value to universities, students, and the European Higher Education Area: institutional engagement will help tailor the label to the diverse realities of higher education across Europe, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of different academic communities and supports the long-term strategic goals of universities. One strategy would be an hybrid approach that combines both bottom-up input from universities and top-down guidance from policymakers is crucial;
• To ensure continuity with the Bologna Process: transparency, comparability, and trust between systems are key values of the Bologna Process. Engaging institutions in the quality assurance process helps preserve these values and reinforces the shared ownership of the process;
• To reinforce the European dimension and prevent a two-tier system: without strong and inclusive institutional involvement, there is a risk that the European Degree Label could become accessible only to a limited group of institutions, creating a fragmented model. 

A more integrated and globally competitive European Higher Education requires a concerted approach. UNICA welcomes opportunituies to contribute to the next steps of this ambitious plan.