Mapping Diversity: Developing a European Classification of ... - U-Map

4 1. Introduction
In August 2005 the report ‘Institutional Profi les, towards a Typology of Higher Education Institutions
in Europe’ was published. This report was the result of the fi rst phase of a research project on the
development of a European classifi cation of higher education institutions. In general terms, the
objectives of this fi rst project were:
• to assess the need for a European classifi cation of higher education institutions;
• to develop a conceptual model upon which such a classifi cation could be based;
• to propose an appropriate set of dimensions and indicators for such a classifi cation.
The fi rst phase of the research project resulted in a set of principles for designing a classifi cation
as well as a fi rst draft of the components of such a classifi cation (the draft-classifi cation). Both were
produced in an elaborate process of consultation with identifi ed stakeholders. A wide range of
stakeholders showed interest in the project and contributed to a constructive and fruitful exchange
of ideas and views regarding the classifi cation.
This report ‘Mapping Diversity: Developing a European Classifi cation of Higher Education Institutions’
is an output of the second phase of the research project. The overall objectives of this second
phase were:
• to test the draft-classifi cation developed in phase I and to adapt it to the realities and needs of
the various stakeholders;
• to explore and enhance the legitimacy of a European classifi cation of higher education
institutions.
This report addresses these objectives. The fi rst part discusses the research instruments used
to test the draft-classifi cation and presents their outcomes. It also presents the adapted second
draft of the classifi cation. The second part discusses the process followed to explore and enhance
the legitimacy of the classifi cation and makes a number of suggestions regarding its possible
operational introduction.
As in the fi rst phase, the second phase of this research project was granted funding in the framework
of the EU Socrates programme. It should be pointed out however that the research was carried out
by an independent team of researchers.
MAPPING DIVERSITY
The second phase of the project was carried out by the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies
(CHEPS), University of Twente, the Netherlands in partnership with the University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow, Scotland; The University of Aveiro, Portugal; and the German Rectors Conference
(HRK).