CHARM-EU and EU-CONEXUS Become the First European University Alliances Awarded the Joint European Degree Label

The CHARM-EU delegation at the Joint European Degree Label event in Brussels.

Two European Universities alliances, CHARM-EU and EU-CONEXUS, have become the first to receive the Joint European Degree Label, a significant milestone in the development of integrated European higher education and a key step towards the future development of a potential Joint European Degree. 

Awarded by the European Commission at an event held at its headquarters in Brussels on 15 July, the Joint European Degree Label recognises innovative joint study programmes that exemplify excellence in cross-border academic cooperation. It highlights programmes that combine shared governance, international mobility, multilingual learning, digital innovation and a strong commitment to shared European values.

For CHARM-EU, the label has been awarded to its Master's in Global Challenges for Sustainability, acknowledging the programme's challenge-based, transdisciplinary and international approach to education. The recognition highlights CHARM-EU's pioneering model of collaborative learning, designed to equip students with the skills needed to address complex global sustainability challenges.

Meanwhile, EU-CONEXUS received the label for its Joint Master in Marine Biotechnology, recognising the programme's academic excellence, integrated European structure and close cooperation between universities across several countries. Jointly designed, governed and delivered by partner institutions, the programme offers students a truly European educational experience through international mobility, interdisciplinary learning and collaboration with researchers and professionals from the marine biotechnology sector.

The EU-CONEXUS delegation during the event.

The Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency AQU Catalunya was also recognised at the event as the first quality assurance agency to award this quality label. The assessment process was carried out by AQU Catalunya in cooperation with UNIBASQ Quality Agency. 

The European Commission has also published the full results of the Erasmus+ calls for proposals for the European Degree exploratory action and European Degree pathway projects. They are all available here.

These achievements reflect the dedication and collaboration of students, academic and professional staff, graduates, partner universities and quality assurance bodies across alliances. They also demonstrate the strength of the European Universities Initiative and the ability of alliances in fostering deeper institutional cooperation and creating high-quality, internationally integrated learning opportunities.

Read CHARM-EU's press release here.

Read EU-CONEXUS' article here.