European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
Sample introduction:
In 2025, EURASHE remained deeply engaged in the Bologna Process, contributing to both strategic and technical developments within the 2024–2027 implementation cycle. As a consultative member of the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) and its Board, EURASHE supported the implementation of priorities set out in the Tirana Communiqué while contributing to working structures such as the Thematic Peer Group A on Qualifications Frameworks. This work focused on strengthening trust, transparency, and diversity in the European Higher Education Area, including new working groups on automatic recognition and flexible learning pathways, one of which is led by EURASHE.
EURASHE also participated in the Coordination Group on Global Policy Dialogue and the Working Group on Internationalisation and Mobility, contributing to discussions on recognition, quality assurance, and future EHEA priorities. In parallel, we engaged in key policy revisions, including the ongoing revision of the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG) and the ECTS Users’ Guide, ensuring relevance for applied institutions. Through the Bologna Process for Learning and Teaching (BP4LnT) project, EURASHE further reinforced lifelong learning as a core Bologna priority, supporting inclusive and flexible higher education systems.
Significant issues in the EHEA
As one of the original co-authors of the ESG, EURASHE plays an active role in the current revision process, with representation in both the Drafting Group and the Steering Committee. This ensures that the perspective of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) and the broader applied higher education sector is fully embedded into the renewed ESG principles, especially regarding practice-oriented learning, institutional diversity, work-based learning, and lifelong learning pathways.
The revision is coordinated by a Steering Committee composed of representatives from each of the seven primary and cooperating authors. The process draws heavily on the results of the QA-FIT project, which collected evidence on how the ESG are implemented across Europe and identified areas for improvement.
Role of EURASHE
On 17 November 2025, the Steering Committee published the first complete draft of the ESG 2027 and invites feedback from all stakeholders across the European Higher Education Area. The consultation package includes: