EU unveils plan to create a European cross-border degree

The EU has set out a plan to create cross-border bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes to keep and attract more young talent from within and outside its borders.

“Our vision is to make European higher education even more competitive and interconnected. And to secure Europe’s place in the global race for talent,” EU education commissioner Iliana Ivanova told a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday (27 March).

The so-called “European degree” is to be a new type of diploma, awarded after transnational programmes run at national, regional or institutional level — and only on a voluntary basis, since the EU treaties give very limited competences in education policy to the EU.

“It’s an offer, not a threat [to national powers],” said the Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas, adding that the EU executive is paving the way for this to become a reality through a list of criteria for universities to issue this “European branded degree”.

The commission’s roadmap is based on the results of six Erasmus+ pilot projects involving more than 140 higher education institutions from across the EU.

“We need it because we still have many obstacles, too much bureaucracy, too many uneven situations,” stressed Schinas.

At least two universities from different member states would have to participate in a joint programme to issue the diploma, which is optional for both private and state universities — as there is no specific budget or additional budget line for educational institutions to get on board, Ivanova stressed.