It is evident that there has been an overall decline in higher education expenditure and levels of public expenditure vary considerably within the European Higher Education Area showing that the response to the financial crisis has not been a uniform one. Speaking of widening access to and participation in higher education latest data shows that regardless of the policy approach only a few countries refer to quantitative targets to be reached. In 26 countries the share of students studying in programmes corresponding to the Bologna two-cycle system is 90 % and in 13 other countries 70-89 % of students study in programmes corresponding to the Bologna system. However only nine countries claim that they have fulfilled all the ten steps as formulated by the EHEA Working Group on Qualifications frameworks and another group of countries stand a good chance of joining those.

Let’s not forget about gender issues in higher education. Latest data shows that over the last decade men were less likely to attain
higher education than women. However, women are still slightly underrepresented among doctoral graduates. Additionally to that, there are perceived and real obstacles to mobility, which must be dealt with in the coming years.

For now, many countries and institutions have dramatically expanded provision of joint programmes since the Bologna Process began. Moreover, only a small proportion of students are able to participate in joint programmes. Greatest problem is how to award joint degrees. One difficulty is that national legislation may not mention joint degrees at all. In Andorra, Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Moldova, higher education institutions are involved in joint programmes but do not award joint degrees, although in Latvia legislation allows joint degrees to be awarded
since August 2011.

Source: Eurydice Network

More information and latest data about current Bologna process implementation status is available here.