A Joint Programme is an integrated curriculum coordinated and offered jointly by different higher education institutions and leading to a (double/multiple or joint) degree.

A Joint Degree is a single document awarded by higher education institutions offering the joint programme and nationally acknowledged as the recognised award of the joint programme.

Since there is a correspondence between a joint degree and two or more official qualifications recognised by countries where the awarding institutions are located, we can affirm that a Joint Degree is exclusively a method of issue of the national final qualifications within a Joint Programme. For that reason, joint degrees should be recognised at least as favourably as other qualifications from the education system from which they originate.

Therefore it is important to know the nature of national qualifications corresponding to a joint degree during an evaluation procedure. In the case of joint programmes and joint degrees it is also particularly important that the Diploma Supplement (and more in general the certification relative to the joint qualification) clearly describes the various components of the corresponding national degrees in relation to the education systems within which they have been earned.

Further information

Recommendation on the Recognition of Joint Degrees and Explanatory Memorandum, June 2004, revised February 2016 (Documents adopted by the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee)

Erasmus+ Joint Master Degrees

EAR eManual - Qualifications Awarded by Joint Programmes

 

Bridge Handbook: Joint Programmes and Recognition of Joint Degrees

JOIMAN: Joint Degree Management and Administration Network