Bologna process: the european higher education area

The Bologna process has brought about fundamental and dramatic change in higher education structures across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The Bologna reforms which are analised in 1st chapter have been implemented at a time of unprecedented and rapid expansion in higher education systems. Access to higher education, mobility and funding have been consistent priorities throughout the last decade. The growth of external quality assurance in higher education has been one of the most notable features of the Bologna decade. European cooperation in quality assurance is exemplified by agreement on European Standards and Guidelines and the creation of a European Quality Assurance Register. In the majority of EHEA countries, quality assurance is concerned with granting permission to higher education institutions or programmes to operate on the basis of threshold quality standards.

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………… 3
CHAPTER 1 BOLOGNA STRUCTURES AND TOOLS ………………… 5
1.1 Overview of the Bologna process………………………………………. 5
1.2 Expanding higher education systems and evolving policy priorities….... 6
1.3 The Bologna tools: ECTS, Diploma Supplement and National Qualification Frameworks…………………………………………………………………. 7
1.4 Quality Assurance……………………………………………………….. 9
CHAPTER 2 LIFELONG LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION……….. 12
2.1 Lifelong learning as a recognised mission of institutions……………….. 12
2.2 Student mobility………………………………………………………… 14
2.3 The Economic crisis and Higher Education…………………………… 17
2.4 Improving attainment levels and the quality and relevance of higher education………………………………………………………………………. 18
CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………… 21
SOURCES……………………………………………………………….......... 23