2025 Recap: Major European Education Developments in 2025
Executive Overview – Why 2025 Matters
2025 was a milestone year for European higher education. It marks a shift from building frameworks toward implementing strategic cooperation, piloting joint qualifications, and expanding international mobility programs.
Institutions should see this year as a moment to reset partnerships, align operations with EU priorities, and prepare for long-term structural funding. Programs like Erasmus+ remain central drivers, while initiatives such as the European Universities alliances and the European Degree label move from concept toward practical application.
At the end of this blog post are key links for more information about the main points discussed below.
Institutional Collaboration & Alliances
1. European Universities Initiative (EUI) – Scaling Strategic Cooperation
The EUI now includes 73 alliances representing nearly 650 HEIs across Europe. These alliances go beyond ad-hoc projects and form sustained institutional networks that pool talent, share governance practices, and co-develop curricula and research strategies.
Why this matters
Alliances enable HEIs to compete globally as connected entities rather than isolated national institutions
Shared frameworks for mobility, joint research, and co-creation of courses improve institutional attractiveness and quality
2. FOREU4ALL – Community of Practice Strengthening Sector Impact
FOREU4ALL connects all European Universities alliances and supports shared knowledge, policy dialogue, and joint capacity building across the higher education ecosystem.
3. EAIE 2025 Engagement
Over 35 alliances and 300+ institutions participated in the EAIE 2025 conference, showing strong sector interest in co-creation, mobility, and digital transformation.
Institution Action Points
Position your institution as a partner in alliance-focused strategic calls
Engage in practice exchanges via FOREU4ALL and similar platforms
Use major education events (e.g., EAIE) to showcase innovation and build new consortia
Funding & Programme Opportunities
1. Erasmus+ as Core Funding Mechanism
Erasmus+ continues to fund cooperation, mobility, and structural initiatives in 2025. It supports Europe-wide mobility, joint courses, and strategic projects that align with the European Education Area objectives.
2. EIT Higher Education Initiative – Innovation Funding
The EIT Higher Education Initiative opened calls that offer up to €2 million per project to support innovation, entrepreneurship capacity building, and deeper cooperation between HEIs and industry partners.
3. UK Re-entry to Erasmus+ in 2027
The UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027, restoring full mobility opportunities for students and staff between the UK and EU. This opens new avenues for bilateral partnerships, exchange programs, and collaborative projects.
Institution Action Points
Prepare consortium proposals for Erasmus+ mobility and joint degree calls in 2026–27
Explore EIT HEI calls with partners to strengthen institutional innovation profiles
Update partnership agreements with UK institutions to align with Erasmus+ re-entry
Policy Environment
1. European Education Area (EEA) – 2025 Vision to Action
The EEA fosters collaborative national systems for quality, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. It underpins EU higher education policies, including mutual recognition and cross-border cooperation.
2. European Degree Label – From Policy to Practice
2025 saw major steps toward piloting the European Degree label. Workshops and policy labs are now helping institutions translate policy ambition into practice by focusing on joint programmes and quality assurance standards.
Institution Action Points
Join pilot activities related to the European Degree label to influence standards and benefit from early recognition frameworks
Embed EU policy priorities (mobility, digital skills, inclusivity) into institutional strategies and performance indicators
Institutional Impacts – Strategy & Operations
1. Mobility & International Strategy
With Erasmus+ driving large-scale mobility and the UK’s future participation, international offices must plan student and staff flows, costs, and support services to maximize benefit.
2. Digital Transformation & Curriculum Innovation
Policies emphasize digital inclusivity and interoperability. Institutions should invest in digital infrastructure, blended learning designs, and staff training to meet EU priorities and attract transnational learners.
3. Qualifications & Recognition
Ongoing work on joint degrees and shared recognition mechanisms reduces barriers for students studying across borders and increases the appeal of European HEIs on a global stage.
Institution Action Points
Prioritize investment in digital systems that support joint certificates, micro-credentials, and seamless mobility
Align HR incentives to support staff exchange and cross-institutional teaching
Strengthen data systems to track mobility, quality assurance, and inclusion outcomes
Conclusion
2025 stands out as a turning point from policy design to institutional transformation in European higher education. For HEIs and strategic partners, this means:
Deepen cooperation via European Universities alliances
Actively pursue funding and aligned calls (Erasmus+, EIT HEI)
Translate policy frameworks (EEA, European Degree label) into concrete programs
Capitalise on renewed international mobility prospects, especially with the UK’s return to Erasmus+
