The Bologna Process in European Higher Education

The Bologna Process, involving 46 European countries, 5600 tertiary institutions, and 31 million students, is a major change process in European higher education with the potential to have a worldwide impact. Its aim is to modernize European higher education, encourage the development of a high-quality, internationally competitive system, and support the mobility of students and labor. Underlying rationales include embedding freedom and democracy, supporting personal development and career advancement of individuals, and underpinning economic growth, employment, and prosperity. The Bologna Process involves the creation of the European Higher Education Area by 2010, within which national higher education systems will become more compatible and qualifications more transparent and portable.