Blog: Higher Education Leading to Europe: Successes, Challenges, Examples, and Recommendations for Ukraine

Accession to the European Union is not only about economic or judicial reforms; it also requires bringing education and research systems in line with European standards. Higher education plays a key role in the EU accession process, as candidate countries are expected to modernize universities, strengthen research capacity, and participate in European programs. Can universities be reformed during a war without losing touch with European standards? Ukraine is proving today that it is possible. Despite Russia’s full-scale aggression, destroyed infrastructure, and the forced migration of teachers and students, our country continues to integrate into the European Higher Education Area. And this is not only about formal reports — it is about the daily struggle for the quality of education, international mobility, new approaches to financing, and university governance. Ukraine’s experience, together with that of the Western Balkans, provides an answer to the question: how to move toward the EU through university classrooms, and not only through diplomatic channels.

Ukraine has demonstrated resilience and commitment to higher education reform, even in the face of the challenges of war. In the European Commission’s 2023 and 2024 Ukraine Reports, it is acknowledged that Ukraine is “moderately prepared” in the field of science and research and has “some level of preparation” in education and culture.

Ukraine’s main approach to reform is defined by the Higher Education Development Strategy for 2022–2032, although its implementation has slowed due to Russia’s war against our country. The reforms focus on university autonomy, transparency, and efficiency. For example, university leadership is becoming more accountable in financial matters (supported by a new funding formula), and efforts continue to optimize the network of higher education institutions (aimed at reducing the number of small colleges with insufficient resources). In addition, Ukraine has modernized its legal framework: the “Law on Higher Education” (2014) and subsequent amendments have strengthened institutional autonomy and student participation in governance. European Commission reports commend Ukraine’s adoption of important education policies even under pressure, such as the “Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine until 2027” and the “National Strategy for Inclusive Education until 2029,” which demonstrate alignment with EU values of inclusion and quality in education.

Advancing Bologna Process Reforms

Ukraine has been a full member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) since 2005 and has adopted the Bologna three-cycle system (bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate), the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), and the practice of issuing diploma supplements. Ukrainian universities issue internationally comparable degrees, which facilitates student mobility and recognition abroad. In addition, in 2023 Ukraine appointed representatives to the European Higher Education Area working groups (policy forums on education at the EU level) and began the process of joining the Eurydice network (which shares comparative educational data). These steps ensure Ukraine’s presence in continental policy dialogues, the study of EU member states’ practices, and the exchange of experience.

For comparison, Albania and North Macedonia, which joined the Bologna Process in the early 2000s, have largely completed similar degree reforms. Universities in Tirana and Skopje transitioned to the 3+2+3 model (bachelor’s/master’s/doctorate) and adopted ECTS, which facilitated student exchange and diploma recognition in Europe. These Western Balkan countries also developed national qualification frameworks and aligned them with EU standards. In particular, Albania underscored its commitments by hosting the 2024 Bologna Ministerial Conference in Tirana, demonstrating progress in implementing reforms. North Macedonia continues to refine its legislation (for example, drafting new laws on higher education and adult learning) to fully align with the goals of the Bologna system. The experience of the Western Balkans proves that, despite the complexity of the task, timely alignment with the principles of the Bologna Process creates a solid foundation for European integration. Ukraine, on par with its European peers, has also made progress in this area by establishing a compatible degree system, which will benefit students and graduates alike.

Expanding Mobility and Participation in the Erasmus+ Program

International mobility and cooperation require additional efforts from Ukraine in the field of education to move closer to the EU. Ukraine is actively participating in the Erasmus+ program, which allows thousands of Ukrainian students and teachers to study, teach, or intern in EU countries and bring that experience back to Ukraine. Through academic exchanges and joint Erasmus+ projects, Ukrainian universities have modernized curricula, improved foreign language teaching, and established partnerships with European colleagues. Even under the difficult conditions of martial law, Ukrainian higher education institutions are expanding cooperation with Europe. Nearly 35 Ukrainian universities have joined European University Alliances as associate partners, working with EU universities on innovative cross-border programs. Integration into the European academic community has not only improved the quality of education in Ukraine but has also demonstrated its readiness to become a part of the EU’s educational space (Ukraine is actively participating in European Higher Education Area working groups).

Western Balkan countries demonstrate the effectiveness of long-term participation in EU programs. Unlike Ukraine, North Macedonia is a participant country of Erasmus+ with its own National Agency that coordinates the program. This status (achieved through the EU Association Agreement) allows North Macedonia to take part in Erasmus+ activities on an equal footing with EU member states. As a result, it enjoys a greater number of exchanges and projects. In 2023 alone, organizations from North Macedonia participated in hundreds of Erasmus+ projects, receiving additional funding and know-how. Albania, which is not yet a full participant country, benefits from Erasmus+ as a partner. In 2023, this included 16 capacity-building projects for the country’s universities, some of which were managed by Albanian institutions. Both countries also participate in the European Solidarity Corps and other educational initiatives that have supported the introduction of English-language courses, updated teaching methods, and greater youth engagement. The experience of the Western Balkans highlights that active involvement in EU educational programs accelerates reforms and internationalization. For Ukraine, expanding participation in Erasmus+ will be crucial for making its higher education system competitive at the global level.

Strengthening Quality Assurance and Standards

Висока якість освіти залишається проблемою, яку Україна намагається вирішити. Значним досягненням для України стало створення незалежного Національного агентства із забезпечення якості вищої освіти (НАЗЯВО), завданням якого є дотримання стандартів в університетах. НАЗЯВО працює відповідно до Європейських стандартів і рекомендацій якості у Європейському просторі вищої освіти (ESG), запровадило прозорі процедури акредитації та оцінювання навчальних програм. Це символізує перехід від старої бюрократичної акредитації до прозорої, орієнтованої на результат моделі, на кшталт європейської. Запровадження НАЗЯВО стало потужним прогресивним кроком на шляху до створення європейських стандартів вищої освіти. Українські університети зараз проходять ретельні перевірки якості, часто із залученням міжнародних експертів. Крім того, у 2024 році Кабінет Міністрів України повернув оновлену формулу фінансування державних університетів, яка розподіляє бюджетні кошти за показниками ефективності – таких як результати досліджень та міжнародна співпраця, стимулюючи заклади до підвищення якості. Ці кроки визначають прагнення України побудувати культуру забезпечення якості, подібну до культури її європейських партнерів. 

Albania and North Macedonia are also pursuing quality-oriented reforms, albeit with varying results. In the mid-2010s, Albania boldly cleaned up its higher education sector by shutting down low-quality private “diploma mills” and strengthening oversight of educational institutions. The Albanian Quality Assurance Agency (ASCAL) was established to evaluate universities and programs; ASCAL aligns its processes with leading European practices and is working toward full membership in European quality assurance networks. North Macedonia recently created a new Higher Education Quality Agency (replacing the former accreditation board) to ensure transparency and trust in accreditation and evaluation. Both countries are updating their accreditation criteria and building capacity for external university reviews. However, they have also realized that legislative reforms must be followed by proper implementation. For example, North Macedonia has yet to introduce its planned new funding model for universities to link financing with quality outcomes. The experience of the Western Balkans underscores the importance of functioning independent quality assurance bodies and continuous evaluation.

Integration into European Research and Innovation

Another pillar of EU integration is the connection of universities with the European research and innovation ecosystem. Ukraine has made significant progress in this direction, becoming a full participant in the EU’s flagship research funding program Horizon Europe. This association (formalized in 2022) allows Ukrainian researchers and institutions to compete for EU grants and collaborate with European partners on equal terms. Ukrainian teams have already secured projects under Horizon Europe, contributing to cutting-edge research in fields such as digital technologies, clean energy, and healthcare. The number of such projects is growing each year. Ukraine has also joined initiatives of the European Research Area and is aligning its national research priorities with the EU’s “Smart Specialization” approach (identifying key sectors for innovation). Participation in programs such as COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and the Euratom research program provides further examples of Ukraine’s integration. Importantly, Ukrainian universities are beginning to combine teaching with research, thanks to EU financial support for creating laboratories, organizing training, and expanding networks of young scientists.

For Albania and North Macedonia, integration into the European research area has been a gradual but irreversible process. Both countries are also associated members of the *Horizon Europe* program and have already seen results from this integration. For example, in North Macedonia in 2023, 17 *Horizon Europe* projects were funded, attracting millions of euros from international partners for universities and institutes. Albania launched about a dozen projects in 2023, through which the country established a Regional Innovation Center in 2024 to strengthen research cooperation in the Western Balkans. These countries have also developed Smart Specialization Strategies to direct research investments into areas of comparative advantage (for instance, North Macedonia focused on digital industries and agriculture, while Albania concentrated on innovations in energy and tourism). Both countries participate in European Research Area forums and are part of Erasmus Mundus programs for exchanges with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie University, which support the development of young researchers. The key lesson from the Western Balkans is that research integration requires consistent investment and political support. Research and development funding remains very low (0.2% of GDP in Albania, 0.38% in North Macedonia), limiting their capacity to engage in European programs. Ukraine faces a similar problem — underinvestment in research and development. As of 2022, Ukraine’s R\&D spending amounted to 0.33% of GDP, well below the EU average. The destruction of research infrastructure and the departure of scientists abroad due to the war have further exacerbated the issue. The European Commission has recommended adopting a comprehensive Science and Technology Development Strategy and developing Smart Specialization Strategies to stimulate innovation at the regional level. There has already been progress in this area (a legislative framework for smart specialization exists, and several regions are participating in the process), but implementation requires special attention from state authorities.

Common Gaps and Barriers: Opportunities for Joint Action

Despite the clear progress, Ukraine, Albania, and North Macedonia share a number of common problems related to aligning with EU higher education standards:

1. All three systems still maintain varying levels of education quality. The modernization of curricula does not fully align with the needs of the European labor market, and graduates often lack certain skills demanded by employers. Expanding access to higher education requires ongoing reforms in teaching methods and the updating of curricula.
2. Public investment in universities and research remains low across the board. Limited budgets mean outdated laboratories, insufficient libraries, and lower salaries for faculty. Such underfunding hinders research activity and the innovative capacity of universities in all three countries, making it difficult for them to meet EU standards.
3. A significant brain drain persists — many of the best students and researchers emigrate to the EU in search of better opportunities. Albania and North Macedonia have faced a long-standing outflow of talent, while in Ukraine young professionals are driven abroad not only by economic factors but also by security concerns caused by the war. Retaining talent is a shared challenge.
4. Although laws and strategies now generally align with European standards, gaps in their implementation are evident. For example, creating quality assurance agencies or drafting strategies is one thing, but ensuring their independent and effective operation is another. In all three countries, new initiatives (whether a funding formula, an accreditation procedure, or a research strategy) may face delays, institutional resistance, or capacity issues that slow real changes on the ground. Albania and North Macedonia also have pending legislative acts. In particular, North Macedonia has not yet completed work on the “Law on Higher Education” (to update the 2018 law). The implementation of the 2018–2025 Education Strategy is also progressing slowly. For innovations to take root (such as Albania’s institutional integrity plans or North Macedonia’s “Law on Secondary Education”), political will from both ministries and universities is essential.
5. University governance reforms remain incomplete. Political influence over appointments in universities or limited institutional autonomy can hold back innovation.

Recommendations for Ukraine’s Next Steps

To align Ukrainian higher education with EU standards, a number of priority actions are recommended:

1. Complete the alignment with the Bologna Process by officially bringing Ukraine’s qualification system in line with the European framework and ensuring the automatic recognition of Ukrainian diplomas across Europe. Simplify the processes for credit transfer and diploma supplements so that Ukrainian students can study abroad without obstacles. The examples of the Western Balkans show that these processes must be completed as quickly as possible to restore trust in the education system.
2. Give the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance the capacity to operate independently and build its potential in line with European quality assurance standards. Ukraine should aim for full membership in European networks (such as the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, ENQA) once it is ready. This requires training more evaluators, conducting regular external institutional reviews, and implementing quality assurance recommendations. An independent and reliable quality assurance system will increase trust in Ukrainian diplomas both domestically and abroad.
3. Introduce a modern funding formula that rewards high-quality teaching and research outcomes while also stimulating innovation. Ukraine’s recent initiative on performance-based budgeting is a good start — it now needs to be institutionalized and refined with the involvement of universities. Considering North Macedonia’s intentions to reform funding (and the delays it has faced), Ukraine should establish clear indicators (graduate employment rates, research publications, internationalization efforts, etc.) to determine the share of university funding. At the same time, the overall level of funding should be gradually increased to approach the European average, ensuring that performance-based financing is meaningful.
4. Expand participation in Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs to stimulate reforms. Every Ukrainian university should be encouraged to join Erasmus+ partnerships, collaborate with EU universities, and apply for participation in EU research projects. The government can support this by organizing grant-writing training, providing language support, and recognizing successful projects to encourage others. Albania and North Macedonia have shown that even smaller countries can successfully access EU project funds. Ukraine should aim to increase the number of Erasmus+ exchanges and Horizon Europe grants year by year. This not only brings in resources but also exposes faculty and students to the best European practices, creating a multiplier effect for reforms.
5. Create programs that encourage talented graduates and researchers to build their careers in Ukraine. For example, Ukraine could establish scholarships for young researchers returning after studying in the EU, provide funding for startup laboratories or enterprises led by young innovators, and strengthen ties between industry and universities by offering attractive jobs in research and development. The struggles of Albania and North Macedonia with brain drain show that improving the local research base and career prospects is a key factor. Ukraine should invest part of the funds allocated for reconstruction and recovery into academic infrastructure and competitive salaries to retain human capital.
6. Cooperate with Western Balkan countries and neighboring EU member states to exchange best practices and address common challenges. Ukraine can join regional workshops or networks that include Albania, North Macedonia, and other transitional systems to share experiences on curriculum reform, digital education, quality assessment, and more. Such mutual learning can help Ukraine avoid repeating mistakes and adapt successful initiatives (for example, Albania’s approach to filtering out low-quality institutions or North Macedonia’s experience in developing a National Innovation Strategy). Moreover, presenting a united front with other EU candidate countries can strengthen Ukraine’s voice in European policy discussions on higher education.

Ukraine’s path toward aligning higher education with EU legislation has already begun, and in many respects it is accelerating impressively. Ukraine has already caught up with Albania and North Macedonia in areas such as degree structure and international mobility. We are even pioneers in some reforms (such as funding reform), which our Balkan colleagues are only beginning to implement. However, the road ahead requires continuous work to close the quality gap, increase investment in research, and ensure that reforms take root within university culture.

By studying the experience of the Western Balkans and other candidate countries — both their successes and failures — Ukraine will be able to overcome challenges more effectively. The goal is a modern, dynamic higher education system, fully integrated into the European family, that produces qualified professionals and drives research innovations contributing to Ukraine’s development and European integration. With wise political choices now, Ukrainian universities will not only meet EU standards on paper but will also become true partners of their European counterparts in excellence and opportunity.

In a broader perspective, alignment with EU higher education standards is an investment in the future. For Ukraine, a modern European higher education system will provide the human capital needed for reconstruction and innovation in the post-war period. All three countries understand that quality education and research form the foundation of a competitive economy and a dynamic society — and this understanding drives their adaptation to EU norms.

Published in Censor.