EUA Survey Of Master Degrees In Europe - European University ...

Executive summary20. Transnational Joint Master programmes show no sign of diminishing in number. They supplyconcentrations of academic expertise and opportunities for on-course mobility. It is importantthat legal impediments are removed and that funding remains available.The future of the Master21. The more flexible the Bologna second cycle, the more capable it will be of satisfying theaspirations of individuals and labour market needs. The efficient participation of social partnersand civil society in institutional governance and in curriculum development will further energiseand fine tune Master portfolios.22. The Master has a crucial role to play in the knowledge society. It assures the acquisition ofcompetences on which doctoral research depends. It develops human capital in many fieldsand should be accessible from as many points and by as many persons as possible. Its range ofcore activities, delivery modes and durations make it a hugely flexible instrument with whichto confront the challenges of the global economic crisis.23. Of the three Bologna cycles, it is the most ‘marketised’. Fee variation is very wide. Costs arehigh. To assume that the Master will thrive on competition alone is incautious. Research andcurriculum development depend on transnational collaboration. Given the Master’s strategicimportance to the Lisbon Agenda within the EU and to sustainable growth in all 46 Bolognacountries, it is time to consider issues of student finance and equal opportunity of access.8