Overview

In 2024, the European Commission (EU) adopted a series of proposals to create a third-level qualification to be recognized by all EU member states. Third-level qualifications refer to educational achievements beyond secondary education; they are typically offered by universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions.

The EU proposals follow several years of considering a universal degree system. The universal degree strategy is part of the EU’s goal to make academic careers and higher education more accessible and attractive. Such an approach could:

• Ensure that higher education institutions and learners can have their qualifications recognized anywhere they travel.
• Help with quality assurance.
• Operate joint academic programs with less paperwork or other obstacles.
• Build on the EU’s education campaigns such as the European Year of Skills, which is particularly promotes digital and green skills courses.

The European degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level would be awarded jointly and voluntarily by universities across the region. To become a reality, higher education institutions would need to agree to these developments and agree on a common set of criteria for the qualifications.

The European degree could be adopted by the EU or a more sequenced approach may be needed.  For example, students in certain programs that meet the criteria could be awarded a European degree labeled as a “certificate” with their joint degree.

A European degree Policy Lab would be established in 2025 to work with Member States to aid the in the process of developing the details of the degree. The Lab will be comprised of a team of education experts, policymakers, accreditation agencies, students, and EU partner organizations. An annual degree forum would enable discussions and progress monitoring.

European Union

The European Union (EU) emerged as one of the efforts to integrate Europe following World War II. The EU is an international organization of 27 European countries that govern common economic, social, and security policies. It was created by the Treaty in 1993. The treaty created a single currency (the euro), a unified foreign and security policy, and common citizenship rights and advances cooperation in the areas of immigration, asylum, and judicial affairs. Originally confined to western Europe, the EU expanded into central and eastern Europe in the early 21st century. EU members are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The United Kingdom, a founding member of the EU, left the organization in 2020.

References

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/european-degree-eu-commission-adopts-proposals