The Bologna Process : , Theme: education

Within the context of the Europe-wide Bologna Process, Germany’s Federal Government, Länder, and institutions of higher education are conducting the largest higher education reform in decades.

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Within the context of the Europe-wide Bologna Process, Germany’s Federal Government, Länder, and institutions of higher education are conducting the largest higher education reform in decades. Since its 1999 inception in the Italian university city of Bologna, this reform process has aimed to establish internationally accepted degrees, improve the quality of courses of study, and enhance employability. The number of students in Germany has also increased as a result of the reforms. Furthermore, it has clearly enhanced the international mobility of German students and the attractiveness of German institutions of higher education for students and young researchers from abroad.

The Bologna process now involves the cooperation of 47 states as well as the EU Commission and eight further organizations in the area of higher education. Its characteristic partnership approach means that institutions of higher education, students, and social partners are all actively involved. The reforms have created a great dynamic in the educational landscape of Europe and continue to have considerable impact on the national higher education systems.

The Bologna Declaration and the Communiqués of the Conferences of Ministers specify the following points of the Bologna Process:

Introduction of a system of comprehensible and comparable degrees (Bachelor and Master)
Introduction of the two-cycle degree structure (undergraduate/graduate)
Transparency of study contents by means of credit points and the Diploma Supplement
Recognition of degrees and phases of study
Promotion of mobility of students and academic staff
Safeguarding of quality standards at national and European Levels
Implementation of a qualifications framework for the European Higher Education Area
Increase in the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area, including for those outside the EU
Promotion of lifelong learning
Linking of the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area

Many of the aims listed above have already been largely implemented in the Bologna countries. Nevertheless, there are a number of tasks yet to be implemented: not only in countries which did not join the Bologna Process until a later date but also in long-standing member countries. These tasks include enhancing mobility, improving employability, and recognizing qualifications, academic achievements, and skills and knowledge acquired outside higher education. In the future, changing circumstances, particularly regarding demography and globalization, must also be taken more seriously into account. Further measures must be taken to encourage equal opportunities and permeability in the higher education system - the social dimension of the Bologna Process.