European Citizens at Risk

European Universities During the Crisis: A Public Policy Perspective, with a Brief Excursion to the United States

“…The pre-crisis period looked like bliss for European Universities: European universities might strengthen their dismal position in the rankings of top universities (Ritzen 2010) as a result of the intentions of the Lisbon Strategy. The Bologna agreement, signed in 1999, defined the same study structure with a Bachelor, Master, and PhD degree and would allow for more competition in higher education between different EU countries enforcing an upward quality spiral.…”

“…The European tradition of guarantying equality of access, with low or no tuition fees and ample student grants, is heavily criticized as benefitting the upper middle class (the children of the richer part of the population who are more likely to go to university) (Ritzen 2010). From this perspective, the alternative of higher private costs and social loans (as is now in place in the UK) would be a more fair system.…”