What is a joint degree?

According to a European Association of Universities' study on joint degrees, there is no common definition in use today. A joint degree can be said to have all or some of the following characteristics:

• the programmes are developed and/or approved jointly by several institutions;
• students from each participating institution physically take part in a study programme at other institutions (but they do not necessarily study at all cooperating institutions);
• a student’s stay at the participating institutions should constitute a substantial part of the programme;
• periods of study and examinations passed at the partner institutions are recognized fully and automatically;
• the partner institutions work out the curriculum jointly and cooperate on admission and examinations. In addition, staff of participating institutions should be encouraged to teach at other institutions contributing to the joint degree;
• after completing the full programme, students either obtain the national degree of each participating institution or awarding body or a degree (usually an unofficial "certificate" or "diploma") awarded jointly by the partner organizations

The international learning environment of joint degrees can be the greatest benefit for a student. As study programmes that require students to study in different countries and universities with professors and peers from widely varying academic and cultural traditions, joint programmes place students in situations which require flexibility, openness to diversity, and creative approaches to learning. Additionally, many programmes provide students with the opportunity to improve their language skills and their understanding of different European environments. Generally, graduates have found that employers are favourable to the international experience offered by joint degrees and recommend the experience to other students interested in a challenging and creative degree (based on the EUA study).

Will my "joint degree" be automatically recognised everywhere in Europe?

In most cases (due to legal difficulties and formal regulations) a joint curriculum with study periods at multiple institutions currently leads to just one national degree, often accompanied by a "joint certificate". This situation is due to the lack of explicit approval within national legislations to approve jointly-awarded university degrees. A national degree received from an institution participating in a Joint Masters programme is eligible for the same recognition as all other national degrees under the Lisbon Convention.

More information

Please, see Council of Europe/UNESCO Recommendations on the Recognition of Joint Degrees (adopted Jun 9, 2004) and also European Commission Erasmus Mundus programme.

Last updated: 12.03.2007