Higher education in Europe. How does it work?

We explain how the Bologna system works and how it differs from Russia.

Education in Europe can be a great way to integrate into European social, economic and political life. Many universities offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs for students from other countries. Additionally, both private and state organizations offer grants and scholarships to cover the costs for international students. Studying in Europe is not an unattainable dream; thousands of students do this every year. As always, your desire, motivation, and focus on the result will play a significant role in achieving your goal. In this article, we will discuss the higher education system in Europe in general and how it differs fundamentally from that of Russia.

What is the Bologna Process?

The Bologna Process is the foundation of European higher education, which involves a three-stage system of education: Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate (PhD).

The European system allows greater mobility for faculty, students, and graduate professionals to find jobs in other countries. This is possible due to the mutual recognition of diplomas and specialties by participating countries. The Bologna Declaration was signed by the Ministers of Education of 29 European countries in 1999 at the University of Bologna, one of the oldest in the world. The Bologna Follow-up Group (BFGU) supports the entire system as an executive body. To date, this group includes 49 European countries and European Commission representatives. There is a conference held with representatives of participating countries to analyze the progress made by following the Common European Principles of Higher Education and discuss issues, including the membership of new countries in the organization. So, the Bologna system enables individuals to use their qualifications in other countries and ensures that higher education across Europe follows the same principles.

The System of Grades and Credits

A special system was created to conveniently and universally record the knowledge, abilities, and qualifications of students, called the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Credits are educational units that reflect a student's progress in a particular program or subject. A full academic year usually consists of 60 credits, which a student can earn by completing various courses or modules. A full bachelor's degree typically requires 180 or 240 credits (3 or 4 years of study), while master's programs usually require 90 or 120 credits (1 or 2 years of study).

This system of reporting grades and credits helps the educational process in different countries to work according to common standards, which is crucial when creating an integrated educational space.

Tuition fees

Obtaining education in Europe is generally more affordable than in the United States, but the cost varies significantly among European countries.

The United Kingdom is the most expensive country, where the average tuition fee for international undergraduate students is £22,200 (£17,109 for masters and postgraduates). On the other hand, in Germany, the majority of universities are state-owned and do not charge tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, but only if you study on the local language.

The exceptions are the states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. In these states, some universities started charging fees to students from non-EU students. The fees range from €2,000 to €3,000 per semester, and this applies only to bachelor's education.

Apart from these fees, there are also course fees in Germany. On average, they amount to €225 per month.

In France, the state finances 2/3 of the tuition fees for bachelor's and master's students from countries outside the European Union. After taking into account these subsidies, a bachelor's degree will cost €2,770 per year, while a master's degree will cost €3,770.

In Italy, the average tuition fee for a bachelor's degree in public universities is around €2,500 per year. For master's students from non-EU countries, the tuition fee can range from €800 to €6,500. Private universities in European countries typically charge higher tuition fees, as they do not receive financial aid from the state.

Prospects after graduation. Difference with Russia.

According to statistics for 2022, over 40% of individuals aged 25 to 34 in the European Union have attained higher education. The EU aims to increase this percentage to 45% by the year 2030.

Experts note that there is a direct correlation between education and the standard of living in general. In Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, individuals with a bachelor's degree earn 44% more than those with only a secondary education. Furthermore, those with a master's or doctoral degree earn an average of 91% higher.

In Russia, the returns to education (a measure of salary dependency from higher education) are almost half of the world average and lower than in the EU. Although the number of people with higher education is growing in Russia, many of them are poor or low-income, with more than 20% receiving income below or around the subsistence level in 2019. In 2021, 21.9% of people with higher education were unemployed.

The situation is different in OECD countries, where only 3.5% of people with higher education are officially unemployed.

Differences in Education

European universities have a long tradition of research and teaching. They focus on effective approaches to education, both at the country level and pan-European standards. As a result, students receive a better-quality education than in post-Soviet countries. In addition, there are opportunities for academic mobility between countries, better employment prospects, and a relatively high standard of living in the EU.

Comparing the methods of teaching in Russian higher education to European education, it can be said that European education is generally practice-oriented, even in the humanities and social sciences. This means that students will write more essays, communicate more with classmates and teachers, and focus on developing critical thinking skills, independent work, and formulating hypotheses and conclusions.

Is Russia in the Bologna system?

In 2022, Belarus and the Russian Federation were excluded from the Bologna Observation Group. This doesn't necessarily mean that these countries will automatically abandon the three-stage system of higher education (Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees). However, it seems that Russian officials intend to abandon the Bologna system and return to the so-called "basic system of higher education", with a specialist degree as the first and main stage of education, and postgraduate studies for those who intend to continue in science.

In 2022, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Valery Falkov, said that "the Bologna system should be treated as an obsolete stage." This sentiment was echoed by Vladimir Putin in early 2023. It appears that the trend towards further isolation of Russia from the world will have a strong influence on the system of higher education.

Experts note that this will have a negative impact on higher education and mobility opportunities for students. This impact will not only be limited to academic exchange with European countries, but also to the opportunity for students from Asian countries, Africa, and Latin America to study in Russia. Russia will become less attractive to international students if they are deprived of the opportunity to receive education in universally recognized European standards.

There are several clear disadvantages to abandoning the Bologna system:

As Russia continues to face political isolation, the future of domestic education appears bleak. Journalists and analysts have already observed signs of militarization and a decline in the quality of education in the country. To address this issue, Freedom Degree has been launched to provide those in need with the opportunity to receive a quality education and assist them with admission to foreign universities.