Leading Article: Bologna warnings can't be ignored

A report out today from the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) sounds alarm bells about the long-term threat posed to higher education in the United Kingdom by the Bologna accord. This agreement, which aims to standardise degrees across Europe and enable much greater movement of students and staff, should make British universities wake up. Although UK higher education is not having to make many changes as a result of Bologna and will not suffer in the short term, it may find that the changes forced on other countries do have consequences for Britain. Moreover, it may find that the simple existence of different practices in a European higher education area could put the spotlight on ways of doing things in the UK.

In particular, we could find that the UK's one-year Masters programme, which brings thousands of overseas students to this country, and is seen as our pride and joy, is viewed over time as inadequately rigorous. That is because other European countries offer two-year Masters degrees with a strong emphasis on research. If the latter were to be seen as superior – and there are critics who argue they are – we might find ourselves losing out in our highly lucrative international student market.

More generally, the Hepi report warns against complacency on the grounds of cost. Our degrees are more expensive for international students than almost anywhere else in the world. Competition is increasing from other countries and will increase certainly in Europe, where countries are putting on Masters programmes in English that cost less than ours.

There is some concern about whether the UK is committed fully to the Bologna process. One reason is that we have not had to make the kind of reforms to our degree structures that other countries have. But if European countries are able to create an impression that we are cavalier about Bologna and don't care whether or not we are complying with it, then this could be damaging. We must make sure it doesn't happen, says Hepi. The alternative is for British universities to join with the rest of Europe and develop two-year Masters programmes which might ultimately be in the interests of British students, international students and the UK national interest.

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