The European Higher Education Area in 2015

This report has been prepared for the European Ministerial Conference in Yerevan, Armenia on 14-15 May 2015.

It provides a snapshot of the state of implementation of the Bologna Process from various perspectives using data collected in the first half of 2014. It provides both qualitative information and statistical data, and covers all main aspects of higher education reforms aiming at a well-functioning European Higher Education Area.

The report is a successor to the first Bologna Process Implementation Report (2012) and has been developed through collaboration between the Bologna Follow-up Group (BFUG) and Eurostat, Eurostudent and Eurydice, commonly referred to as 'the data collectors'. The work of the data collectors has been overseen by the Bologna Follow-up Group (BFUG), and specifically by a working group established to guide all aspects of the reporting process. The group was co-chaired by Germain Dondelinger (Luxembourg) and Andrejs Rauhvargers (Latvia). Close collaboration was also established with all BFUG working groups.

Qualitative information was gathered through an extensive questionnaire addressed to BFUG members. This was submitted, after consultation with all relevant national actors, by the Bologna representatives in 46 countries between February and May 2014. 

The report is divided into seven thematic chapters, based largely on the structure established for the 2012 Implementation Report. Each chapter has an introduction presenting the relevance of the topic in the Bologna Process, the commitments made in the Bucharest Communiqué, and the main findings of the 2012 implementation Report. The chapter then presents information through comparative indicators whose purpose is to describe the state of implementation in all countries from various perspectives. The text explains main developments, highlights issues regarding implementation, and provides examples of practice that may be of general interest.