This guide published by Joint Degrees from A to Z (JDAZ) project aims to provide a comprehensive, practical reference guide on all aspects that need to be taken into account when developing and managing joint programmes.
There is a lot of information available in this field, but these data have so far not been available in a central place and in an integrated form. More...

The Erasmus+ programme supports, among other policy objectives, the European modernisation and internationalisation agenda in higher education during the period 2014-2020.
The Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) provides the general quality framework for European and international cooperation activities a higher education institution (HEI) may carry out within the Programme. The award of an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education is a pre-requisite for all HEIs located in a Programme country and willing to participate in learning mobility of individuals and/or cooperation for innovation and good practices under the Programme. For HEIs located in Partner countries, the ECHE is not required, and the quality framework will be established through inter-institutional agreements between HEIs. The Charter is awarded for the full duration of the Programme. More...

Fact Sheet: tackling radicalisation through education and youth policyThe Online Linguistic Support is a new opportunity for Erasmus+ participants to assess and improve their language skills. It was presented for the first time at the European Day of Languages conference in Florence. The new free linguistic support service link outside the EC domain for participants in Erasmus+ long-term mobility (at least two months abroad) is available online as from 1 October, 2014.
In 2014, the service will benefit all higher education students going on mobility and young volunteers undertaking European Voluntary Service (EVS). As from 2015, it will be extended to Vocational Education Training (VET) learners. More...

The Erasmus Mundus programme gives students from the whole world the chance to study in two or more European countries at Master's level. What do students and prospective students expect from a European masters programme, and how do Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses fulfil these expectations? Check out this year's Graduate Impact Survey .
The Graduate Impact Survey (GIS) is carried out every year since 2009 by the Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA) on current students and recent graduates of the Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses (EMMC). More...

"Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death"  Albert Einstein
In the 1980s, the film Educating Rita struck a chord with many who saw adult education as a major cultural divide. Focusing on a young, working class hairdresser's aspiration to "improve herself" through education, the film revealed in a realistic and often humorous way that academic success for people from such backgrounds doesn't come easily. The obstacles are not a lack of talent, intellectual capacity or motivation – quite the opposite in the case of Rita – but come rather from the social environment and expectations of friends and family. Indeed, the main barrier for Rita comes from her husband's resistance to her aspirations, and his insistence on traditional social and gender roles. But the 1980s were a long time ago, and things have surely progressed a lot since then, haven't they?
Well, according to Eurydice's latest report on adult education, maybe not. Educating Rita was set in 1983 but in 2015, there are plenty of contemporary equivalents to Rita. Around 25 % of adults in the EU have not completed any formal education beyond lower secondary education and 6.5 % of these have not progressed past primary education. However, the real challenge to societies is that these adults with the greatest education needs are the least likely to benefit from adult education. More...

April 2015 marks the launch of the new Eurydice website. This has seen the integration of the Eurydice website where reports were available with that of Eurypedia, the European Encyclopaedia on National Education Systems; a website that described European Education systems in detail. The main aim of the new website is to reach out to a wider audience within the educational field, as well as to harmonise the presentation and make the new website more user-friendly.
The website contains updated information on the Eurydice network and reaches a potentially wider audience through the use of language which is more web-friendly. We invite you to visit our new improved website where you can find detailed descriptions and overviews of national education systems, comparative thematic reports and factual reports related to education.
More about Eurydice. More...

Below are listed all the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs) that will be offering EU-funded scholarships for courses taking place in the academic year 2015-2016. Most consortia will require applications to be submitted between October and January, for course starting the following academic year.
Students at Masters level can apply to a maximum of three different programmes. Both, students and potential scholars/guest lecturers should contact the relevant Consortium for more information on courses and application procedures. More...

On 17 March 2015, education ministers from across the European Union met in Paris.
Under discussion was how education and training can best meet the challenges of social inclusion, radicalisation and citizenship so brutally manifested in recent terrorist attacks.
The perpetrators of recent shootings in Copenhagen and Paris were EU citizens, coming from migrant backgrounds.
It is in this context that Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, French Education Minister, organised the ministerial meeting.
In attendance at the meeting were François Hollande, the President of France, and Tibor Navracsics, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
Member states shared their knowledge of tackling the problems of social inclusion , radicalisation, hate speech and, ultimately, violence that pose a threat across Europe.
The meeting highlighted the message that education is an important part of the solution and demonstrate solidarity between countries in the face of violence.
While education systems are responsibilities for national governments, there is room for cooperation to overcome these common challenges.
In a joint declaration(500 kB) , ministers affirmed that:
"The primary purpose of education is not only to develop knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes and to embed fundamental values, but also to help young people - in close cooperation with parents and families - to become active, responsible, open-minded members of society."
Existing EU tools could be targeted to reinforce social cohesion and to promote active citizenship and intercultural dialogue across and within countries.
Erasmus+ , the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport, provides scope for cross-border projects and can provide avenues for marginalised citizens to gain skills, experience and confidence.
The Paris meeting served as an informal discussion to be followed-up formally at the Education Council of 18-19 May, to be held in Brussels. More...

The 6th University-Business Forum brought together 300 high-level representatives from Europe and beyond, including:

• higher education institutions;
• large companies;
• SMEs;
• national, regional, and local authorities; and
• organisations and associations.

The Forum was a unique opportunity to share and discuss experiences, exchange good practices, network and to learn from each other.
This year's Forum addressed topics related to entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial university, change and impact, people and innovation, social entrepreneurship and other major trends in University-Business Cooperation.
Further information on the event can be found on its website  where participants also have the option to provide feedback on the proceedings. More...

With the European economy reliant on the creation and application of knowledge, strong links between the business sector and higher education are essential. Enterprises have become increasingly involved in European education and training programmes, with positive results for both sides, leading to long-lasting partnerships.
The relevant Erasmus+ activities for cooperation with business are: