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