The European Commission’s Industrial Strategy for Europe and the European Digital Strategy launched in the spring of 2020 offer an opportunity for a broad and holistic approach to fundamental challenges that concern all Europeans.

The European Commission’s new proposal for the next seven-year budget of the European Union together with the Next Generation EU recovery plan falls short of much needed investment in research, innovation and education.

There is a legitimate need for data on the performance of higher education institutions. It is important for the institutions themselves, as well as their stakeholders, including society. The use of indicators that measure the effectiveness or quality of education is increasing as there is much demand for more evidence-based evaluation and decision-making.

In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, and its expected economic impact, this EUA briefing explores the possible implications for university funding in Europe in the short to medium term.

The European Universities Initiative has been at the centre of many discussions in European higher education and research for the past couple of years. Universities across the continent enthusiastically embraced the pilot phase launched by the European Commission in 2018 and the initiative is developing against a highly dynamic policy backdrop.

In early 2020, EUA conducted a survey on international strategic institutional partnerships and the European Universities Initiative that gathered responses from 219 higher education institutions from 34 systems across Europe.

This policy brief gives an update on aspects of the recognition of professional qualifications that are particularly relevant to European universities.

In 2019, the university sector in Europe was bracing for change: a new European Parliament was elected, a new Commission formed, and the EU long-term budget discussions were in their final rounds. At the same time the Brexit negotiations were underway.

The concept of evidence-based learning and teaching is complex and multifaceted. The EUA Learning & Teaching Thematic Peer Group on “Evidence-based approaches to learning and teaching” understands it as connecting learning and teaching to evidence-based methods, strategies and processes through the cultivation of an institutional culture that is committed to continuous improvement of student learning.

Assessment is an essential and influential element in the learning journey of all students. There is commitment across universities to promoting a holistic assessment design, based on co-creation between students and academic staff. Nevertheless, the design and implementation of student assessment remain challenging.