In 1999, the ministers of education of 29 countries met to discuss the future development of higher education in Europe. The post-summit declaration - the Bologna Declaration - expressed the goal of developing a European Higher Education Area by 2010. This development is known as the Bologna Process, you can read more on the microsite and download their brochure here

Bologna Experts funded by the European Commission, have been appointed in all Lifelong Learning Programme countries. A national team of 13 UK Bologna Experts and two student representatives have been selected from nominations made by our stakeholders.

The Experts assist UK higher education institutions with the three Bologna priorities:

• Quality Assurance
• The Three Cycle System
• Recognition – ECTS/ Diploma Supplement, Europass, Lisbon Recognition Convention

as well as the other aspects of the Bologna Process:

• Promotion of Mobility
• Student-centred outcome-based learning
• Recognition of prior learning
• Qualifications Framework
• Employability
• Social Dimension
• Promotion of the European dimension in Higher Education
• Lifelong Learning
• Promoting the European Higher Education Area in a global setting
• European Higher Education Area and European Research area

Please see the Academic Recognition page for further information and to dowload the application forms for the ECTS label and Diploma Supplement.

You can also download a pdf of the report 'Recognition and the Bologna process through Engagement with Employers'. This is based on the seminar work of Bologna Experts, NARIC students and Employers / Employer Organisations from Ireland, Estonia, Finland, Slovenia, Germany and UK, which was held in November 2010 in London.

How to Contact a Bologna Expert

If your institution wishes to contact a Bologna Expert to request a visit or a telephone conference please complete this form providing as much detail as possible and return it to the Erasmus team at the British Council.

Bologna Events

To see information on forthcoming Bologna-related events, please visit our Bologna News and Events page.  Presentations and reports from past events are also available in the Bologna Events Archive.

The ECTS Label and Diploma Supplement (DS) Label

The ECTS Label and Diploma Supplement (DS) Label are marks of distinction and can be applied for by institutions which have been awarded a Standard or an Extended Erasmus University Charter.  They are awarded by the European Commission (EC) to institutions which can demonstrate that all departments use the ECTS mechanisms or that a DS is issued to all graduates in all first and second cycle degree programmes in accordance with the model developed by the EC, Council of Europe and UNESCO.  

For further information or advice on the application process please contact the National Agency by email: erasmus@britishcouncil.org

Please download the guidelines for applicants, the DS Label application form and the ECTS Label application form.